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Great Western Dry dock was built in1839 of pennant rubble and brick. It is bow-ended and brick based, with a curved section to the entrance. It has stepped sides and iron caisson single-leaf dock gate. It was built for the construction of Brunel’s SS Great Britain, launched from the dock in 1843.
The SS Great Western was designed by IK Brunel and built by shipbuilder William Paterson at a shipyard on Wapping Wharf from 1836. He then became responsible for building the SS Great Britain at Great Western Dockyard.
Source: Guardian 18th April 2020
The BBC News Report from 1970:
When thousands watched Brunel’s great ship return to Bristol
SS GB deck replacement December 2023
By Bea Swallow BBC News, West of England
The deck of an historic ship is undergoing a complete replacement as part of a major conservation project.
New wooden planks will preserve the deck of the SS Great Britain and the original ironwork underneath.
The work began on 4 December and will be completed in sections so that visitors can still explore the ship, which sits on Bristol’s harbourside.
The project is expected to take 32 weeks, and involves 6,050 metres of timber being fitted.
The conservation project is being funded by Arts Council England through the Museum Estate & Development Fund (MEND) to protect the historic vessel.
The new planks for the 98-metre-long ship will be made from accoya wood to provide the the optimum lifespan, with the deck expected to remain in place for at least 50 years.
Development of the Albion Yard
