The SS Great Britain has been described as the most famous steamship ever built. Designed by Isambard Kingdom Brunel, she set new standards on the North Altantic passenger route and was the the first ocean going screw powered passenger liner. When built, she was the largest vessel in the world and sailed to and from Australia carrying emigrants from all over Europe. Her seagoing life only terminated after 43 years in the Falkland Islands in 1886. From there she was salvaged and brought back in 1970 to Bristol and the very dock in which she was built. The painting shows the ship in Hobson's Bay where smaller craft took passengers up to Melbourne, the River Yarra being too shallow to receive the great ship.