| Description | Written from 18 Duke Street, London. The letter accompanied copies of the contracts between the Eastern Steam Navigation Company and John Scott Russell and James Watt & Co for the construction of the hull, the paddle engines and the screw engines of the Company's steam ship and explains the conditions that Brunel has included in the contracts, changes that Brunel has made between the tenders and the contracts and the arrangements that have been made for transferring shares as part of the contract. The letter also sets out the assistance that Brunel believes that he will need in order to keep an eye on the various aspects of the construction, mentions the various scientists, including the Astronomer Royal Professor Airy, who are advising Brunel on the experiments and instruments to include on the ship, and suggests other experiments that might usefully be run to determine the best and most efficient design and fuel source for the ship. |