10 December 2024 6pm

The Crew of the SS Great Britain

How steamships changed maritime labour in the 19th century

Joanna Mathers (Head of Collections and Maritime Curator, Brunel Institute)

The mid-19th century saw the introduction of steam technology across the world’s oceans, and with it a complete change of seafaring life and tradition. A work environment which had not significantly changed in centuries was transformed with the addition of engine room crew, and in the case of passenger liners a stewards’ department to service an initially exclusive and high-society clientele. Men without any seafaring skills began working at sea, and for the first time women were offered the chance of earning a wage on the high seas as stewardesses. Ships’ crews changed and adapted in terms of skills, social backgrounds, and diversity. The crew of the SS Great Britain was part of this changing world and a look at the ship’s working life and changes in her crew will highlight the impact of steamships on seafaring lives and maritime labour in the late 19th century.

Joanna Mathers is Head of Collections at the Brunel Institute and also acts as specialist maritime curator. She has worked with the maritime collections at the Trust for the past 15 years and carried out research on the social and economic history of maritime labour in the 19th century.