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SS Great Eastern - at her moorings in Deptford 1859
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SS Great Eastern - at her moorings in Deptford 1859
At half-past seven on Wednesday morning on the 8th September 1859, the Great Eastern, left her moorings off of Deptford, under the combined action of a charge of flour powerful towing-tugs and her own screw, glided down the River Thames and out into the English Channel, to take her Maiden voyage, just passing Hastings when there was a huge explosion, the forward deck blowing apart with enough force to throw the No. 1 funnel into the air, followed by a rush of escaping steam. Date: 8th September 1859
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1850s 1859 Atlantic Brunel Brunels Deptford Docks Iron Isambard Mooring Moorings Steamer Steamship Steamships
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This photograph captures the SS Great Eastern, a marvel of 19th-century engineering, at her moorings in Deptford on the morning of September 8, 1859. The iron-hulled steamship, designed by the renowned engineer Isambard Kingdom Brunel, was set to embark on her maiden voyage that day. The Great Eastern was a groundbreaking transport vessel, capable of carrying over 4,000 passengers and 12,000 tons of cargo, making it the largest ship in the world at the time. As the sun began to rise over the Thames, the Great Eastern prepared to leave her moorings. With a powerful charge of towing tugs and her own screw, she began to glide down the river, leaving Deptford behind. However, tragedy struck just as she passed Hastings. An explosion rocked the forward deck, causing the No. 1 funnel to be thrown into the air. A rush of escaping steam followed, marking a devastating turn of events for the highly anticipated voyage. Despite this setback, the SS Great Eastern continued on, eventually reaching her destination in New York a few days later. This photograph serves as a poignant reminder of the triumphs and challenges faced during the early days of steamship travel.
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