William Froude, Esq.
CHAPTER XIII.
STEAM NAVIGATION—THE ‘GREAT EASTERN’ STEAM-SHIP.
COMPLETION AND SUBSEQUENT HISTORY.
A.D. 1858-1859: ÆTATIS 52-54.
A.D. 1859-1870.
PREPARATIONS FOR COMPLETING THE SHIP—FORMATION OF THE GREAT SHIP COMPANY—MR. BRUNEL’S ABSENCE FROM ENGLAND—PROGRESS OF THE WORKS FROM HIS RETURN TO HIS LAST ILLNESS—VOYAGE TO WEYMOUTH—EXPLOSION OF WATER-HEATER—STORM AT HOLYHEAD—DESCRIPTION OF THE SHIP—HER FIRST VOYAGE TO NEW YORK, JUNE 1860—SECOND VOYAGE TO NEW YORK, MAY 1861—VOYAGE WITH TROOPS TO QUEBEC, JUNE 1861—FRACTURE OF RUDDER-HEAD AND DESTRUCTION OF PADDLEWHEELS, SEPTEMBER 1861—VOYAGES IN 1862—ACCIDENT OFF MONTAUK POINT, AUGUST 27, 1862—VOYAGES IN 1863—FORMATION OF THE GREAT EASTERN STEAM-SHIP COMPANY—REMARKS ON THE HISTORY OF THE ‘GREAT EASTERN’ PREVIOUS TO HER EMPLOYMENT IN LAYING SUBMARINE TELEGRAPH CABLES—TELEGRAPH EXPEDITIONS OF 1865 AND 1866—FRENCH CABLE EXPEDITION OF 1869—VOYAGE TO BOMBAY AND ADEN, 1869-70—CONCLUDING REMARKS—NOTE: DIMENSIONS OF THE SHIP AND ENGINES.
SOON after the launch of the ‘Great Eastern,’ efforts were made to obtain funds for finishing her, and Mr. Brunel proceeded to prepare designs with the view of obtaining tenders for the execution of the decks, skylights, fittings, rigging, &c. He obtained advice from persons thoroughly conversant with this class of work; and a specification was carefully prepared, providing for the completion of the ship in a perfect manner.
Meanwhile it had been considered that, large as the ship was, she might be profitably employed in the American trade, and that it might be expedient to run her on that line for a few voyages before placing her on the Eastern route. Captain Harrison went to America to examine the harbour at Portland, and brought back a favourable report of it.
All efforts to raise the funds for finishing the ship proved unavailing; and it was determined to reconstitute the company.
The new company, which was called the ‘Great Ship Company,’ was formed towards the end of the year 1858. In the beginning of December, Mr. Brunel was compelled by ill-health to go to Egypt for the winter. On leaving England, he strongly urged the Directors on no account to fail to make a strict contract, distinctly defining the work to be done, and the manner of its execution, as provided for by the specifications he had drawn out. But his advice was not followed.
After Mr. Brunel’s return to England in May 1859, he continued to give the greater part of his time to the ship. The difficulties which he had to encounter were certainly neither fewer nor less vexatious than those which had arisen at earlier periods in her history; but they were the last with which he had to contend.
On September 5 he left her in the morning, feeling the commencement of the illness which ten days afterwards terminated fatally.