She was a monster equipped with side paddle wheels, screw propellers, five funnels, and six masts capable of carrying 6,500 square yards of sail. As traditional methods of steering would be a problem she became to first ship to be fitted with a steering engine. She was also the first ship to be constructed with a cellular double bottom which increased the overall strength of the vessel as was proved when she ran over a rock and only incurred minor damage. B ut the construction proved to be long and difficult.
Numerous problems cause continual delays but the biggest problem concerned the launch.
The intention was to slide the 12,000 tons of dead weight tonnage sideways into the Thames from where she lay some 330 feet from the high water mark but this proved to be the biggest problem of all. Advice was sought and given not least by the other great railway pioneer Robert Stephenson. During September 1857 the last plates were riveted and on 3rd November Brunel announced the date of the launch but without success. A second attempt was made on 2nd December with Prince Albert and the Prince of Wales in attendance but, again without success. A further unsuccessful attempt was made on the 5th January,1858, followed by a fourth attempt on 30th January when it proved to be too windy.