25 April, 2007

Bristol

I had a meeting in Bristol today and booked a late train so I would have time to finally visit Brunel's SS Great Britain. Unfortunately I was writing a long email after the meeting, eating up ship time, so I had to rush the visit into about 20 minutes, so I didn't have time to enjoy the museum which looked very well done.
Doubt?
Tsk! Never doubt Brunel.
Anyway, she is quite a ship.
SS GB - Back
With impressive detailing:
SS GB - Fruit and Mushrooms!
The ship is in a fantastic dry dock. The top is glass with running water, it looks like the ship is floating, but you go through a door and then I get a sinking feeling because you go down below the water and under the ship. Gulp.
SS GB - Dry Dock
But it's amazing, amazing how thin the hull is, and pretty scary thinking that this is all that's keeping back the river:
Dry dock - front
At the back is the technology, a balanced rudder and screw propellor providing easy maneuverability (and a prototype for modern steering and propulsion in ships).
SS GB - Balanced Rudder
Livestock were kept on the main deck, for food I guess?
SS GB - Chickens
First Class was mostly 2 bunks, and so very narrow!
SS GB - 1st Class
On board barber shop - he must have been skilled and balanced, or the other guy reckless:
SS GB - Barber
Others in steerage class slept width-ways in dormitories:
SS GB - Steerage Class
The ship was salvaged off the Falklands in 1970 and sadly will never sail again; too many too big holes:
SS GB - Hull (holes)
But apparently you can rent out the dining room for weddings and bar-mitzvahs!
SS GB - Dining Room
SS GB - Plates
A great ship, precursor to all the cruiseliners we hate love today!

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