9781422281192

The Great Eastern was the largest iron ship ever built to that point in history.

it is 692 feet (211 meters) long—dwarfing every other ship afloat. Reporters hail it as “The Wonder of the Seas.” Ironically, the Great Eastern proved to be a colossal dis- appointment. It never lived up to its expectations, either as a passenger or cargo carrier. Its thirty-year career was marred by accidents. Many of its backers were driven to financial ruin. Its one great accomplishment was laying the first transatlantic cable—a feat which did contribute great- ly to international commerce. The cable expedited commu- nications between Europe and the Americas. Despite its relative failure, the Great Eastern was a sym-

Trading Methods Then and Now 9