During the nineteenth century many British colonies were established in Asia. Commercial and social relations with the metropolis grew and increasingly narrowed to the point that the influence of all that is exotic in the cold London ended up creating trend was definitely oriental fashion. Thus, the demand for furniture, fabrics or decorative items grew exponentially in a way. Do not give up an Asian flair resulted in good taste. This demand and caused all sorts of transactions that shipping companies do not waste the opportunity presented to them for doing good business, even companies were created on purpose. This is the case of the Eastern Steam Navigation Company founded in 1851 to attend the award of government postal routes between Britain and the Far East. His project involved the construction of several ships of 2,000 tons to guarantee service. But the bid failed and the reason for the Company was dissolved with the illusions of its partners.
was when the engineer Isambard Kingdom Brunel (1806-1859) played on their doors. At forty-five years old and was preceded by great successes such as the creation of the Great Western railway line (linking London with Bristol and then to Exeter), carrying out several bridges, a tunnel under a river the construction of several steamers. This last aspect was what led him to be heard in Eastern Steam. His idea was based on the construction of a formidable size vessel for the transportation of large quantities of goods and passengers to Ceylon (Sri Lanka) and then be transshipped to smaller ships that would take them to their final destinations.
May 1, 1854 in the shipyard of John Scott Russell & Co. Yards in Millwall, London, began to materialize Brunel project with the laying of the keel of which originally was to be called LEVIATHAN. Thus began the construction of a vessel of 211 meters, 25 meters wide and a displacement of 32,160 tons, figures never seen before.
The strange events that were surrounding this giant from the moment of birth would determine the beginning of the end. As work progresses that were shaping this great ship, one of the wonders of the world at the time, workers fired from at least one partner, a riveter disappeared without trace despite how much I searched for their comrades. This type of incident is considered a bad omen among seamen.
The dimensions of the ship superb Brunel forced to devise a propulsion system that combines paddle wheels, propeller and auxiliary sails. Pallets of 17 meters in diameter, would be moved by an oscillating cylinder engine of 1,000 HP. The propeller, 7.3 meters in diameter, dependent on a machine of 1,600 HP. In addition, two machines of 20 HP would turn the propeller when sailing with side paddles or sails to reduce the hydrodynamic resistance, all This considering that their warehouses were full capacity to accommodate sufficient coal to take without refueling from Europe to Australia via the Cape of Good Hope.
On November 3, 1857 was the day chosen for the launch. The banks of the Thames were filled with curious spectators who did not want to miss as the water reached such a mass, which had been built parallel to the river because due to its size should be dumped on its side. That was the project, but the LEVIATHAN had another plan for that day, refused to move. Despite the efforts of the engineers of the yard, the helmet does not move nor one centimeter. However, one of the winches pulled away unexpectedly unwinding so fast that killed one of the operators.
Nevertheless, on 19 March was attempted throw it again with little result. Ending the month of November, after much work, had managed to move the ship just 10 meters from its starting position. It was clear that the monster was not willing to submit.
The following months witnessed the various systems devised by Brunel to carry the river for a good time. Finally, on January 31, 1858 and with the help of the giant cats very powerful was lifted and moved slowly to the water.
The delay in launching caused such huge spending that both the shipping company as the builder irretrievably broken, forcing the LEVIATHAN remain at anchor for nearly two years.
Brunel, who did not boast of good health, was bitter and had to abandon the project temporarily, when he was charged again spare and bought the boat with several members of the former company. Managed to finish the building and renamed it, renamed it GREAT EASTERN. This act also gives the bad luck as seamen. Since they already several signs of foreboding little happy, not surprised what happened to the giants during the age of 27 who survived.
His final appearance was awesome, a big hull masts topped by 6 to 1,686 square feet of sails, four fireplaces, semicircular bow and stern line, with capacity for 4,000 passengers and 418 crew and 6,000 tonnes of cargo. Interior spaces intended for first class had an amplitude never seen before. It was almost five times larger than any ship that sailed in those days.
Her maiden voyage was finally on September 7, 1859. The brand sailed SS GREAT EASTERN the Thames and into the Channel, where his speed gradually increased to reach 12 knots, when a huge explosion rocked the ship: a boiler had exploded killing five people. Had to be diverted to Weymouth for repairs. Days later, on Sept. 15, its designer, engineer Brunel, died, said that because of disgust when he learned of the event. But maybe his death was due to it always had kidney problems, in addition to the inordinate amount of cigars he smoked incessantly, and his scanty sleep regimen (only sleep four hours a day).
Once repaired the damage, the Great Eastern continued its way to Holyhead in Wales, where he had to detach due to bad weather. Finally, he could continue to Sauthampton, from which sailed on June 17, 1860 to New York. They arrived 11 days later, after traveling at a speed of 14 knots and through some thick fog banks.
Two years later, at the entrance to the port of New York, hit a low that no one knew and had no problem thanks to its double hull. From that moment the landform would be known as the reef of Great Eastern. There was no way to break the colossus, all crossings are marked by delays, storms, breakdowns or accidents, and if that was not enough, not many ports where pilots could dock and did not want to hear about GREAT EASTERN. Indeed, there were many witnesses who said they had heard noises during this time aboard, like a hammer on iron, vague origin.
This ship was designed and built with the aim of establishing large transoceanic routes, saving huge distances such as Australia and the Far East, the Atlantic crossing was too short and expensive, so it only made ten trips return to America. Therefore, the economic difficulties did not wait, especially when its 4,000 passenger seats are never covered, it simply was not profitable.
He looked for another mission, and in 1865 began his new role as a rigger. Participated in the laying of the first submarine telegraph cable in the Atlantic. It was discovered that, thanks to its stability and the huge space in its warehouses to carry a lot of cable, to which must be added the formidable handling prowess that gave him the side paddles, was unbeatable for this type of work. Was used for the laying of 5 cables across the Atlantic and 1 between Suez and Bombay. But not without problems, every time I left the port had some type of mishap. It was subsequently sold to a French company with the intention to dedicate the passenger again. Just made a trip between France and New York, was a dismal failure as he was submitted to Milford Haven, Wales, for unpaired.
In 1885 she was towed to Liverpool where he almost did not arrive for another accident almost sent him under. There was anchored for use as a floating exhibit and a huge billboard.
was finally scrapped in 1888 the story back to its beginning, its construction: after 27 years, was finally found the missing workers in the shipyards, in the place where no one had thought to look, between the two hulls of the ship. Along with the skeleton was still his bag of tools and a bunch of rivets. The colossus had withheld him from the beginning to the end.
definitely the Great Eastern, a ship was indomitable.
© Coral González.
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