Overview of the Songs and Poems in this Category:

All the songs about the SS Great Britain were printed as broadsides¹.

Main Themes and Motifs

Awaiting analysis

Chronology

Bar145~Launch of the Great Britain dates from 1843 as do two other broadsides yet to be added to this site.

Bar100~Great Britain Ashore and bar510~Great Britain Stuck in the mud date from the 1846 when the ship ran aground on the Irish coast.

Historical Background

In 1843, the SS Great Britain was the largest ship in the world
The company that built the ship, the Great Western Steam Ship Company, sold tickets to the event and Prince Albert attended as the guest of honour. [i]

Lithograph print of a painting by Joseph Walter c. 1843 held at the SS Great Britain Trust.

Reference:
[i] Brunell's SS Great Britain https://www.ssgreatbritain.org/your-visit/collection-stories/launch-great-britain-steamship (accessed 24Mar21)