The ship was salvaged in 1970 from Sparrow Cove in the Falkland Islands after being scuttled there in 1937.
The 1843 hull is preserved by a glass plate and a dehumidification system that keeps the air below 20% relative humidity.
The original engine was recovered and reinstalled during the restoration process.
During its service as an emigrant ship, it carried over 15,000 passengers to Australia.
The ship's iron hull was significantly thinner than contemporary wooden ships, making it structurally revolutionary.
It was the first vessel to combine a screw propeller with an iron hull.
The ship's rudder, which weighed seven tons, was replaced during its 1846 grounding incident.
Brunel's SS Great Britain is a restored 1843 steamship housed in a climate-controlled dry dock at Bristol's Great Western Dockyard. Designed by Isambard Kingdom Brunel, it was the first iron-hulled, screw-propelled passenger liner to cross the Atlantic. The vessel serves as a living museum, featuring the 'glass sea' at the waterline that allows visitors to view the hull from beneath. Exhibits span the ship's history from its launch to its service as an emigrant carrier and eventual rescue from the Falkland Islands. Visitors can explore the recreated Victorian-era dining saloons, engine room, and passenger cabins. The site also includes the Being Brunel museum, documenting the engineer’s life and work. Preservation efforts maintain the iron hull in a low-humidity environment to prevent corrosion.
Underneath the 'glass sea' for a unique perspective of the iron hull and the glass partition separating the dry dock environment.
Visit the glass dry dock level first to see the underside of the hull before touring the upper decks.
Allow extra time for the Being Brunel museum annex, as it is separate from the ship.
Check the website for daily events like costumed character interactions or historic talks.
Do not skip the Being Brunel museum building, as it contains essential context regarding the ship's engineering.
Wear comfortable, flat shoes to navigate steep, narrow companionway stairs and ladders inside the ship.
