2-982-514 - The Print Collector/Heritage Images

Captain William Harrison, Commander of the "Great Eastern" Steam-ship, 1858. Engraving from a portrait taken by Mr. Beard, photographer, King William-street.'...in 1842, [Harrison] joined the service of the Cunard line of packet-vessels trading between Liverpool and North America...he earned for himself the reputation of being the best officer in the company's employ, having uniformly accomplished his voyages in the shortest space of time, and having incurred the fewest losses...Captain William Harrison is entirely indebted for his eminent position to his own individual talent and energy; and, after fifteen years in the service of one of the first companies in the world, he has received the just reward of distinguished merit - that of being appointed to the command of the greatest wonder, even in this wonderful age, the Great Eastern [an iron sail-powered, paddle wheel and screw-propelled steamship designed by Isambard Kingdom Brunel, previously known as the Great Leviathan]'. From "Illustrated London News", 1858.