Great Britain and ss Great Western Steamship Co. engine factory bronze plaque

This bronze commemorative plaque records: The Brunel Institute Building stands on the site of the ss Great Western Steamship Co. engine factory which stood here from 1839 to 1941. It was used to forge the engines for the ss Great Britain and other steamships since c. 1850. The building was mostly destroyed in bombing raids in 1941. This new building replicates the size and architectural style of the original building and incorporates surviving fragments of the original.

The site marks the former location of the ss Great Western Steamship Co. engine factory, crucial for producing engines including that of the SS Great Britain, a pioneering vessel designed by Isambard Kingdom Brunel, symbolizing advancements in steamship technology during the 19th century.