SS Great Eastern Funnel Artefact Conservation

 Client: SS Great Britain Trust 
The SS Great Britain Trust is currently developing a new and exciting visitor experience called “Being Brunel”. 
This new museum will showcase many iconic artefacts which will provide a glimpse into the life and work of I K Brunel.
SS Great Eastern was severely damaged by a boiler explosion in 1858. After the explosion a section of iron funnel was removed from the ship and converted to act as a water strainer at a pumping station at Sutton Poyntz, near Weymouth.
The funnel section provided an integral element of the water pumping station infrastructure until it was donated by Wessex Water to the SS Great Britain Trust in December 2004. The project team have identified the section of funnel from the Great Eastern as a core object to be displayed within the new museum
ICR was asked to propose a conservation strategy for the SS Great Eastern funnel and undertake the conservation project to provide a pragmatic and sustainable solution for consolidation, aesthetic enhancement, future exhibition and long-term preservation