This hand-coloured aquatint depicts the ‘Great Western’, which was the first purpose-built transatlantic steamship. Designed by Isambard Kingdom Brunel and launched in Bristol in 1837, she established the advantage of steam over sail for transatlantic travel, becoming the model for successive Atlantic paddle steamers. She carried a large array of sails, although she is shown here with the sails on all four of her masts furled. She is stationary, or almost at a standstill, and surrounded by a variety of smaller vessels, among which are two steam tugs, sailing boats and rowing boats. Large sailing ships are anchored in the background, left.