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The steamship 'Great Eastern' (1858) laying the first successful Atlantic cable, 1865 (oil painting)
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The steamship 'Great Eastern' (1858) laying the first successful Atlantic cable, 1865 (oil painting)
7338123 The steamship 'Great Eastern' (1858) laying the first successful Atlantic cable, 1865 (oil painting) by Clifford, Henry Hugh (1826-83); 43x58.5 cm; National Maritime Museum, London, UK; (add.info.: Creator: Henry Clifford
The 'Great Eastern', or 'Leviathan', launched in 1858, was much larger than any previous ship and was not equalled in size for another 50 years. She had both paddle and screw propulsion and was designed to carry 4000 passengers; but she made only nine Atlantic crossings before her conversion to a cable-laying ship in order to lay the first transatlantic cable from Ireland to Newfoundland in 1865 (a previous attempt having failed in 1858). This failed when the cable broke and could not be recovered, but a repeat attempt in 1866 succeeded to recover and complete the 1865 cable.); © National Maritime Museum, Greenwich, London
Media ID 38509892
© © National Maritime Museum, Greenwich, London / Bridgeman Images
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EDITORS COMMENTS
The oil painting captures the historic moment when the steamship 'Great Eastern' laid the first successful Atlantic cable in 1865. The massive ship, launched in 1858, was a technological marvel of its time, being much larger than any previous vessel and designed to carry thousands of passengers.
The 'Great Eastern' made only nine Atlantic crossings before being repurposed as a cable-laying ship for the groundbreaking mission to connect Ireland and Newfoundland with an underwater telegraph cable. The first attempt in 1865 failed when the cable broke, but a repeat effort in 1866 successfully recovered and completed the connection.
This painting by Henry Hugh Clifford showcases the grandeur of the 'Great Eastern' as it undertakes this crucial task that would revolutionize communication across continents. The intricate details of the ship's design and construction are beautifully captured, highlighting its importance in maritime history.
As we admire this artwork at the National Maritime Museum in London, we are reminded of the ingenuity and perseverance required to achieve such monumental feats of engineering. The 'Great Eastern' stands as a symbol of human innovation and determination, paving the way for future advancements in global connectivity.
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