Record

Ref No	DM1306/11/23/183
Title	Letter from Thomas Watson to Isambard Kingdom Brunel about the launching of the Great Eastern
Description	Written from 15 Fountain Court, the Strand, London. The letter expresses Watson's interest in the launching of the Great Eastern and suggests an idea which has recently occurred to him. Watson's idea is to place pontoons between the cradles and under the ship's stem and stern when the tide is high. Watson believes that this will relieve some of the weight on the launching ways and will, combined with the propelling power that Brunel has, help float the ship. Watson mentions that he has several times gone on the river to see the ship and hopes the following week to be admitted to the ship yard. Watson suggests that it might be possible to Brunel to procure the pontoons from the Woolwich Arsenal.
Date	14 December 1857
Format	Manuscript
Extent	1 letter
Access Conditions	This material is held at the Brunel Institute - please contact the Brunel Institute to arrange access.

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