SS Great Eastern, designed by Isambard Kingdom Brunel, was the largest ship ever built when it was completed in 1858. It could transport up to 4,000 passengers from England to Australia without refueling, making it a technical masterpiece of its time. The SS Great Eastern was equipped with sails, paddle wheels and a screw drive, marking a turning point in shipbuilding. Her length of 211 meters and her double hull were revolutionary features that were later adopted in shipbuilding.This ship also inspired the writer Jules Verne, who wrote his story “A Floating City” based on a trip on this ship.
