Record

Ref No	DM1306/11/23/41
Title	Letter from Arthur Westmacott to Isambard Kingdom Brunel about the launching of the Great Eastern
Description	Written from 5 Finsbury Circus, London. The letter suggests that Brunel consider whether applying the forces produced by gunpowder, gun cotton and steam might be a solution to launching the 'Leviathan' since all three methods might be used with perfect control. Westmacott declines to go into detail, but suggests that all three might give either lateral or vertical forces and might allow the ship to be floated without the need to wait for any extraordinarily high tides. The letter apologises for any offence that Brunel might take at these suggestions from someone who has no claim to scientific knowledge or attainments.
Date	17 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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