SS Great Britain was designed by Isambard Kingdom Brunel for the Great Western Steamship Company's transatlantic service between Bristol and New York. While other ships had been built of iron or equipped with a screw propeller, Great Britain was the first to combine these features in a large ocean going ship. She was the first iron steamer to cross the Atlantic, which she did in 1845, in the time of 14 days.

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The ship was 322ft in length and had a 3,400 ton displacement. She was powered by two propeller engines of the direct-acting type, with twin 88in bore, 6ft stroke cylinders. She was also provided with secondary sail power. The four decks provided accommodation for a crew of 120, and 360 passengers who were provided with cabins and dining and promenade saloons.

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When launched in 1843, Great Britain was by far the largest vessel afloat. However, her protracted construction and high cost had left her owners in a difficult financial position, and they were forced out of business in 1846 after the ship was stranded by a navigational error. Sold for salvage and repaired, Great Britain carried thousands of immigrants to Australia until converted to sail in 1881. Three years later, she was retired to the Falkland Islands where she was used as a warehouse, quarantine ship and coal hulk until scuttled in 1937.

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In 1970, following a cash donation by Sir Jack Hayward that paid for the vessel to be towed back to the UK, Great Britain was returned to the Bristol dry dock where she was built. Now listed as part of the National Historic Fleet, she is an award-winning visitor attraction and museum ship in Bristol Harbour, with between 150,000 and 200,000 visitors annually.

The SS Great Britain fitting out in the Cumberland Basin, April 1844. This is believed to be the first photograph ever taken of a ship.