Embroidered picture of the 'Great Eastern' 1858, originally in a maple frame. It shows the ship under sail, with a flag on each of the six masts, and the Red Ensign. These include two Union Flags, a green flag with an Irish harp and the flag of St George. A small three-masted steamship is placed in the left foreground. The embroidery was worked by the donor’s father-in-law who was an engineer in this vessel. It gives the ship a very convincing wake in what is otherwise a flat calm sea, suggesting the power of her engines (she had paddle wheels and a propeller).

The third of the major vessels designed by Isambard Kingdom Brunel, 'Great Eastern' was launched in 1858. She was exceptionally large and intended to travel to India or Australia. Her steering engines and cellular double bottom were innovations. The stress involved in her construction contributed to Brunel's early death before her maiden voyage. She was employed on the transatlantic run which proved uneconomic but went on to a successful career as a cable layer. She was broken up in 1888.