SHIP SHAPE

Ceremonies to launch ships date back to the Vikings and the liquid used to christen vessels has changed from sacri cial animal blood to ne French wines, beer, whisky and champagne over the centuries. At the launch of the SS Great Britain in Bristol in 1843 (pictured), a bottle of champagne was thrown and smashed on the bow of the ship. Some reports from the time say that the wife of a local MP was tasked with the job of smashing the bottle. However her swing failed to hit the ship and Prince Albert, who was in attendance, apparently then threw a bottle of bubbly from his table and successfully hit the ship. In the years that followed, champagne was served so regularly on board the SS Great Britain that a special brand was created.