New Weather Deck Unveiled

The SS Great Britain now has a new Weather Deck, thanks to a nine-month conservation project funded by Arts Council England’s Museum Estate and Development Fund.

The funding made it possible to completely replace the old deck, providing vital protection of the fragile 180-year-old iron hull beneath it. The SS Great Britain was the first ever ship to combine a metal hull and screw propeller, and – with Brunel’s Screw Propeller Report inscribed by UNESCO as a document that was ‘pivotal in creating the modern world economy through trade’ – conserving the 1843 ship for future generations is a vital part of the SS Great Britain Trust’s work.

The 98-metre-long deck was installed plank by plank by a specialist team from John Perkins Construction who worked through some of the wettest months on record while keeping the ship open to visitors the whole time.

Throughout the conservation project, the SS Great Britain Trust has prioritised sustainability. The wood for the new deck was sourced from Bristol timberyard Robbins Timber. The choice of accoya wood was made with longevity in mind; the new deck should now stay in place for at least 50 years.
The charitable trust even teamed up with local artisans Simon Webb and Ginger & Tweed, who used the wood removed from the deck to create a unique range of craft products which went on sale in the SS Great Britain gift shop.

Phil Gibby, Area Director, South West, Arts Council England, said:

“We’re delighted to have invested £728,985 in the SS Great Britain through our Museum Estate and Development Fund. Restoring the Weather Deck is a major undertaking, and we’re pleased to have been able to contribute to that once-in-a-generation task. It’s also good to see local Bristol businesses such as Robbins Timber and John Perkins Construction at the very heart of this project.”

Andrew Edwards, Chief Executive at the SS Great Britain Trust, said:

“A deck like this only gets replaced once in a generation, and we’re delighted to be able to unveil it to the public and celebrate the completion of such a monumental conservation project in Bristol with our visitors.”

“We wanted to say a huge thank you to John Perkins Construction, Alec French Architects and MDA Consulting for their specialist skills, and to Arts Council England. This project would not have been possible without their support.”

“Throughout its working life, the SS Great Britain welcomed 30,000 passengers and crew on board the Weather Deck, and millions of history lovers have walked in their footprints since then. By undertaking this huge project, we’re ensuring that millions more will enjoy the wonders of Brunel’s ship for years to come.”