Caisson - SS Great Britain dry dock

This is the barrier that keeps the dry dock dry. It is now backed by a concrete wall to help keep the dock water out of the area where the Great Britain is 'parked' / berthed. Originally the caisson could be floated out of the way when a ship wanted to leave this area.

To preserve the very old iron ship and reduce rusting, a glass ceiling has been built at its original water line. Dry air is pumped beneath this. You can walk about next to the hull under the glass ceiling. On the top of the glass is a shallow layer of water and the pattern you see is the sun passing through the water bath, through the dried air then hitting the caisson.

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Several back blips tonight as my internet connection is not great at the moment.