TR Register

Trip to SS Great Britain

Its the 15th April 2007 and at last (after delay,cancellation and re-arranging) the trip to the famous SS Great Britain is about to leave Merstow Green in Evesham bound for Bristol docks.

Almost ready to go!!

The weather has been ordered-- fine and sunny with a slight breeze,all 9 cars due to turn up have arrived on time, Ian Brown is snapping away with the digital, we have phoned the hotel to tell them how many teas and coffees,so what could possibly go wrong?

We set off ,everyone has the route we are to follow together with instructions on "convoying". After 1hour 45 minutes we arrive at the coffee stop . Now this had been planned to be about an hour,but problems with Nigel's coil (after 400 yards) and Tim's rotor arm (on a blind double bend with double white lines) delayed us a little whilst the technical experts solved the problems. Hence the rush to the "loos" before the coffee.

The rest of the trip down the M4 and M32 was uneventful. We arrived in Bristol, opened the gates to the workshop yard, and parked the cars.

Parked up in the workshop yard Group photo in the workshop yard

Within 10 minutes tickets had been purchased and there in front of us was this magnificent ship, designed by Brunel, with its maiden voyage in 1845.

Group photo at the blunt end

Now the history lesson. It was the largest ship of its day, the first screw propelled iron passenger liner and the forerunner of all modern ships. It carried over 15000 emigrants to Australia some in first class luxury with grand dining saloons and ladies boudoir. But some travelled in steerage in much more basic and cramped conditions.

Back home after 160 years and a million miles!! Luxury for some But not for others!! And it takes 60 days to get to Australia

When we arrived we split into small groups,some headed for the restaurant ( Colin being one of them along with my wife -- now there's a surprise) whilst others started the tour of the hull...

Below the water line, air conditioning and less than 20% humidity to stop the rust

...before venturing into the museum...

In the museum

... and then onto the ship.On board ship you could obtain a "walkman" and have a guided tour, either as a First class passenger,or and engineer etc.Thepreservation work carried out on the vessel is very impressive and the engine room in particular was ahead of its time.

In the engine room It wasn't really going that fast!! Free ship building lessons from the man himself In the bowels of the pointy end. Spot the holes they're not too hard to find

After touring all decks most of the group retired to the coffee shop for light refreshments before the trip home, which appears to have been less eventful.

I think it can be summed up as a good day had by all.

Andrew Racey


Last Updated: 04/01/2009 08:52:50	Trip to SS Great Britain Its the 15th April 2007 and at last (after delay,cancellation and re-arranging) the trip to the famous SS Great Britain is about to leave Merstow Green in Evesham bound for Bristol docks. The weather has been ordered-- fine and sunny with a slight breeze,all 9 cars due to turn up have arrived on time, Ian Brown is snapping away with the digital, we have phoned the hotel to tell them how many teas and coffees,so what could possibly go wrong? We set off ,everyone has the route we are to follow together with instructions on "convoying". After 1hour 45 minutes we arrive at the coffee stop . Now this had been planned to be about an hour,but problems with Nigel's coil (after 400 yards) and Tim's rotor arm (on a blind double bend with double white lines) delayed us a little whilst the technical experts solved the problems. Hence the rush to the "loos" before the coffee. The rest of the trip down the M4 and M32 was uneventful. We arrived in Bristol, opened the gates to the workshop yard, and parked the cars. Within 10 minutes tickets had been purchased and there in front of us was this magnificent ship, designed by Brunel, with its maiden voyage in 1845. Now the history lesson. It was the largest ship of its day, the first screw propelled iron passenger liner and the forerunner of all modern ships. It carried over 15000 emigrants to Australia some in first class luxury with grand dining saloons and ladies boudoir. But some travelled in steerage in much more basic and cramped conditions. When we arrived we split into small groups,some headed for the restaurant ( Colin being one of them along with my wife -- now there's a surprise) whilst others started the tour of the hull... ...before venturing into the museum... ... and then onto the ship.On board ship you could obtain a "walkman" and have a guided tour, either as a First class passenger,or and engineer etc.Thepreservation work carried out on the vessel is very impressive and the engine room in particular was ahead of its time. After touring all decks most of the group retired to the coffee shop for light refreshments before the trip home, which appears to have been less eventful. I think it can be summed up as a good day had by all. Andrew Racey
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