The SS Great Britain Trust protects everything at Bristol Dockyards. From the ship to the historic site, we keep Bristol’s history alive. But this Christmas, we need your help. Relentless weather and accelerating corrosion are putting our ageing Dockyard and ship at critical and immediate risk.
Categories
Beneficiaries
Impact areas
Built in 1839, our dry dock is deteriorating and allowing water in, threatening our historic ship. Ageing dehumidifiers preventing rust are less efficient, the story of the ship and relevance of the dock is unclear, and uneven, slippery floors limit access. Visitors can still see the original hull up close, but without urgent conservation this may soon be impossible. Action is needed now to protect the dock and safeguard this historic story by saving the SS Great Britain’s birthplace.
A range of actions are needed to address the unique issues in our dockyard. This includes a detailed condition survey of the historic structure, repairs to complex water management systems, and improved environmental sustainability through reduced energy use. We must also enhance accessibility so all visitors can easily use the space and support planning of a broad range of public events so more people can experience this one-of-a-kind space.