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Photo Title:	The "Great Eastern" at Heart's Content, Newfoundland
Image No.:	PF-343.0444
Image Location:	munn-godden/pf343_0444.jpg
Date of Creation:	[ca. 1866]
Physical Description:	1 photograph : b&w ; 10.5 X 14.5 cm
Biography/Admin History:	The iron sailing / steam ship "Great Eastern", official number 21891, gross tonnage 18915, was built 1858 at Blackwall, London, England and registered to the Great Eastern Steam Ship Co., of Liverpool. It was the largest ship in the world at the time of its launch, measuring 692 feet and with a passenger capacity of 4000. Built to participate in the England-Ceylon passenger/cargo trade, its maiden voyage was interrupted by the explosion of a boiler. New owners attempted to involve the ship in the transatlantic trade, but this was complicated by the outbreak of the American Civil War, and the vessel suffered another misfortune, hitting a rock in New York harbour in 1862. Sold at auction, the vessel was then chartered for laying the transatlantic telegraph cable. On July 27, 1866, on its second attempt, the vessel brought the cable to Heart's Content, Newfoundland, from Valentia, Ireland, establishing the first communication between Europe and North America. The "Great Eastern" continued laying telegraph cable to various parts of North America and elsewhere until 1874, after which it became an exhibition ship, sailing to various ports in Britain. The vessel returned to Liverpool under new owners in 1888 where it was gradually stripped and broken up.
Custodial History:	The photographs were owned by Norma Godden, formerly of Harbour Grace, Newfoundland
Collector:	Norma Godden
Source Donor:	Norma Godden
Collection Title:	Munn-Godden Collection
Restrictions on Access:	Copyright expired
Copyright:	p
Subjects:	Great Eastern (Steamer) / Steamers / Heart's Content (N.L.) / Cable-laying ships / Cableships.