2024-04 SS Great Britain
On 9 April the members of Westbury & District u3a were treated to an excellent and amusing talk by Ian Caskie on the SS Great Britain from Launch to Relaunch. She was launched in 1843 and was hailed ‘the greatest experiment since the creation’. This ship, designed and created by the innovative IK Brunel, combined technologies such as a 1000hp engine and a screw propeller instead of typical paddle wheels.
Gibbs, Bright & Co. bought the vessel in 1852 and made adaptations such as a more efficient engine, an extra deck (for passengers) and a new prop and rudder. She was used to transport emigrants to Australia, a journey which was undertaken more under sail than by steam.
There is a lot more history to the SS Great Britain; why not take a trip to see her?