#OnThisDay in 1837 a ship designed by Isambard Kingdom Brunel, the SS Great Western, was launched….
I am Cory-James Osborne and I am doing work experience at Hayle Heritage Centre for this week. So far, this week I have developed skills based around collections management as well as research skills and the technique for object marking. Today is the anniversary of the launching of the SS Great Western, a ship designed by Isambard Kingdom Brunel.
Isambard Kingdom Brunel was an engineer who had strong connections to Hayle. Brunel is well-known for having designed the Clifton suspension bridge which had its cables manufactured in Hayle at the Copperhouse Foundry after Henry Harvey declined the offer due to being too busy.
Harvey’s of Hayle was well-known at the time for participating in the trade of kitchen ranges, ship’s cabooses and, fire grates, and performed so well that the industry had its own department in the foundry. Because of this Harvey’s was the ideal company to fit the galley kitchen in the SS Great Western.
Brunel designed the Hayle viaduct in 1852, it was originally made from wood and masonry. The viaduct was rebuilt through 1883-1886, this time out of granite.
