On July 19, 1843, the city of Bristol awoke to a rainy day. Still, the excitement that permeated the air could be felt by all the celebrities, onlookers and travelers gathering at the Great Western Dockyard. Here, Prince Albert would soon oversee the launch of the beloved steamship, the SS Great Britain—a ship that would not return to its home port until 127 years later.

Four years earlier, when the ship’s construction started, the city of Bristol was in a frank economic and commercial decline. People hoped that the Prince’s patronage and the construction of the steamship would mark the beginning of a new golden age for the area. The locals’ sense of pride was so profound that the Bristol Mirror published a special supplement detailing the preparations and the local sentiment about the launch.

The entire city was transformed into a festive spectacle on the day of the launch. Flags, banners, and flowers adorned every corner, and the fronts of homes along the royal cortege’s path were scrubbed and painted. The streets were meticulously cleaned, and businesses closed their doors for the day. The city was alive with the deep excitement of what the day would bring.

As the Prince descended from the carriage with a select group of companions, he was addressed by the Mayor of Bristol and the Town Clerk. Afterward, the Prince and those charged with welcoming him had breakfast and started the parade towards the harbor, where the launch would occur.

As high noon approached, numerous groups of ships and boats entered the harbor bearing the flags of many different nations to welcome the Prince. The naming ceremony began as the band played aboard the SS Great Britain. It wasn’t until around 3:30 in the afternoon that the sound of cannons heralded the launch, and the ship slowly entered the ocean for the first time.