
Time Capsules
Bristol, SS Great Britain dry dockThe dock in Bristol's Floating Harbour, in which Brunel's ship, the Great Britain, was constructed and is now preserved. The vessel was shipped back from the Falkland Islands, where she had served as a coal hulk, to re-enter the dock in 1970. In 1968 the harbour was still being used by commercial shipping, evidenced by the freighter and railway yards beyond. In 1977 or thereabouts the city council took the decision that these activities would cease: Bristol, after all, had a dedicated port at Avonmouth, by the Bristol Channel.
Picture added on 02 March 2010
There is, however, a rail line left, and a little shunter running back and forth there for the tourists like me! I believe the ancient crane at the top left still survives, too.
Added by Peter Langsdale on 02 March 2010