PLEASANT MEMORIES 

 Our much missed, dear friends Peggy and Geoff Williams enjoying lunch with Nigel Edgell during the Society's Trip to Bideford to visit the Freshspring in 2017.  Geoff was our effervescent  and vastly knowledgeable Vice President whose infectious enthusiasm spanned all modes of transport.

                         RECENT OUTINGS

                     Visit to the SS Great Britain.

                              17th July 2025


                                         



                          Report :Visit to the Great Britain

                                By Rosemary Brown

Twelve of us enjoyed a very interesting and informative visit to the Great Britain led by Maurice. He told us that the Great Britain stands today where it was built and was completed in 1843, designed by Isambard Kingdom Brunel. It returned to Bristol in 1970.

It was made of iron and had a propellor unlike most other ships which were built of wood and had side paddle wheels and was the first transatlantic liner. Sails were fitted as well which would be useful on long journeys. Later the propellor could be lifted by a mechanism out of the water.

There is a glass layer around the Great Britain with water on it to represent the sea. The sealed unit allows humidity to be controlled to the hull. The main mast was made of steel and was recovered from the Falkland Islands -it had been left in the Falklands when the ship carried coal from Wales to San Franciso and was returned to Bristol.

During it’s working life, the Great Britain acted as a luxury liner, an emigration ship to Australia which took 65 days and also carried troops to the Crimean War and Indian Mutiny.

‘Boarding cards’ of people who travelled on the ship giving information about them from diaries were available to look at.
As a luxury liner it carried 250 passengers and 130 crew but later when emigrants were carried there were 800.

On the top deck the ship had 6 masts whereas most ships had 3-4. They were swivel masts. There were skylights to let in the light. Steering was at the stern to control the rudder.

In the engine room where there was a steam engine which still works we could imagine how hot and noisy it would be and speaking tubes were provided because of the noise.

Sound effects gave us an idea of the fresh food on board-live cows, sheep pigs and geese/chickens.

First class passengers were at the back of the ship and steerage in the front. We visited the steerage area where passengers could have tea and coffee but no milk or sugar and biscuits which were very hard and dry and often full of bugs and people soaked them in their drinks in order to be able to eat them. They could bring their own food in. No toilets or basins were provided in steerage-they used chamber pots or buckets and used cold salt water to wash. We saw the bunk beds that they slept in.

We then visited the galley/kitchen which included a bakery for the first class passengers . Rats were prevalent on the ship and there were cats to help catch them. First class passengers had toilets, basins and baths. We were shown a ‘ladies/girls sitting area’ where there was carpet on the floor and maids helped them with their dresses. The Promenade deck had first class cabins either side and most passengers promenaded here rather than out on deck.

We also saw the surgeon’s cabin and the Captains’s cabin and day cabin.
The dining room for first class passengers had imitation marble 
As a luxury liner it carried 250 passengers and 130 crew but later when emigrants were carried there were 800.

On the top deck the ship had 6 masts whereas most ships had 3-4. They were swivel masts. There were skylights to let in the light. Steering was at the stern to control the rudder.


Our tickets last for 12 months so we will be able to revisit the Great Britain as there is such a lot of detail to look at.

Many thanks to Roger for organising the visit and Maurice for his knowledge and explanation.



                                  Day at the Docks 2025

                                 19th June 2025



  Twelve members enjoyed another extremely pleasant " Day at the Docks" 

As has been customary, during the morning we embarked on the preserved tug John King for  leisurely cruises along the Docks to Cumberland Basin and back. 


This was followed up by the opportunity to operate one of the Dock Cranes under close safety supervision.


After lunch,  the members were afforded the chance to peruse the fascinating  M- Shed reserve collection.

Once again, a tremendous day out.  Many thanks to the staff and volunteers at M-Shed.
 






​​​​​​                                A  group of members after the morning session.