The Explosion on board the Great Eastern Steam Ship, off Hastings, on the 9th September, 1859

The 'Great Eastern' left the Thames on 7 September 1859. Two days later, when she was passing the south coast, a terrific explosion occurred, caused by an absence of safety valves for the paddle engine boilers. Six firemen were killed and the grand saloon and several cabins were wrecked. However, it is a testament to the solidity of the ship's construction that it survived the blast.

Object Details

ID: PAH0309
Collection: Fine art
Type: Print
Display location: Not on display
Creator: Farbrother, F W
Vessels: Great Eastern (1858)
Date made: 1859
People: Brunel, Isambard Kingdom
Credit: National Maritime Museum, Greenwich, London
Measurements: Sheet: 263 x 356 mm