Saturday, September 22, 2018

SS Great Britain

Almost 50 years ago my family lived in Watchet, on the coast of West Somerset. I remember watching on TV as a tug towed this up the Bristol Channel on a huge pontoon. 8000 miles from the Falklands, where it had lain since it's last voyage in 1886.


Anyway, to Bristol last Sunday. Big surprise was the entrance fee. 1 Adult £16.50. I coughed up after making known my opinion of the cost.

As I wandered round, peeking into the various cabins, and compartments, a thought occurred, about current politics...,

Is the...



about to go down the..........



?

I also noticed that that the number of cabins, and bunks didn't seem to add up to the ship's official capacity of 360 passengers. There just didn't seem to be enough accommodation. However, soon I came across this scene near the front ( the bow ), and perhaps this hints at how the steerage passengers were accommodated. They tied them down ?




Afterwards, on my way out, I spoke with the person to whom I'd complained about the cost.
I retracted some of what I'd said, as overall I'd enjoyed the visit.
About £12 would have been more acceptable to me.

[ Besides, I didn't want to sound like I was turning into Victor Meldrew. ]