In publishing the correspondence to which reference has been made, the Directors acknowledge their obligations to all concerned in the arduous task of saving the ‘Great Britain;’ and they add—‘to Mr. Brunel above all their thanks are most due, for opening their eyes to what might be accomplished, and for taking upon himself the responsibility of her release, provided that Captain Claxton was employed to carry out his views.’
[135] Sir E. Parry was at that time Controller of Steam Machinery, and a warm supporter of those who desired to make a fair trial of the screw propeller.
[136] Bourne, on the Screw Propeller, ed. 1867, p. 263.
[137] The records of these trials, found among Mr. Brunel’s papers, show results which coincide in all material points with those given by Mr. Bourne at p. 284 of his work on the Screw Propeller, ed. 1867.
[138] Bourne, Appendix, p. xxxiii.
[139] The letter to Mr. Guppy of August 1843 (given above, p. 259) contains a reference to some of Mr. Brunel’s ideas upon iron shipbuilding, subsequent to the date of the design of the ‘Great Britain.’
[140] Extract from a memorandum by Mr. Brunel (dated February 25, 1854) on the early history of the great ship.
[141] So Mr. Brunel wrote to the secretary when excusing his own absence from the meeting on account of illness.
[142] Mr. Brunel concludes this report by indicating the best mode of contracting for the construction of the ship and engines, and suggests that an examination should be made of the river Hooghly.
[143] From the great length of this report it has been necessary to omit the less important paragraphs.