Aquatint after a painting by Joseph Walter engraved by R. G. and A. W Reeve London.Published may 21st 1840 The wooden paddle steamer 'Great Western' was built by William Patterson and Company, Bristol, for the Great Western Steam Ship Company of that port. On completion she was the first true ocean-going steamship and the largest steamer in the world. Designed for the transatlantic trade by Isambard Kingdom Brunel, she completed her first Atlantic crossing in April 1838 just hours after the 'Sirius', carrying just seven passengers and a small amount of cargo. 'Great Western', and not 'Sirius', would thence provide the first regular passenger and cargo service on this route. Sailing initially from Bristol, then from Liverpool, she was for several years the most popular and successful steamer on the Atlantic. In 1847 she was sold to the Royal Mail Steam Packet Company for service on its Southampton-West Indies mail run. In 1856 she was chartered by the Admiralty for troop transport. She twice carried men, horses and equipment to the Black Sea. She was sold to shipbreakers in 1857 and scrapped at Vauxhall, on the Thames. Aquatint after a painting by Joseph Walter engraved by R.G & A.W REEVE LONDON. In a period oak wedge frame.
The title reads, in part, " In Commemoration of the Establishment of Steam Navigation Between Great Britain and America. This Engraving of the Magnificent Steam Ship The Great Western. Lieut. James Hosken R. N. Commander taking her departure from Bristol for New York has been prepared." The Directors of the company are listed to the left of the image and the Dimensions of the vessel are listed to the right. Dimensions
78.00cm wide 58.00 cm high (30.71 inches wide 22.83 inches high) Very good condition. Shipping extra. Connecticut residents and buyers picking up in Connecticut add 6.35% state sales tax. Buyers outside the USA are responsible for any taxes,tariffs or customs that might apply. *** If you wish to see examples of similar items we have sold and/or appraised please go to our affiliate site www.OneofaKindAntiques.com and click the Archives / Homepage logo ***

Art (paintings, prints, frames)
Travel & Transportation