Record

Ref No	DM1306/11/1/1/folio 97-100
Title	Letter from Isambard Kingdom Brunel to John Scott Russell
Description	Written from 18 Duke Street, London. The letter sets out the decisions that need to be made and the details that need to be considered now that a scheme for building a large ocean-going steam ship has been approved, beginning with deciding the size and form of the ship. Brunel sets out his belief that, given the unprecedented size of the ship they are designing, the need to stick to their presumed best course of action rather than being swayed by other opinions or ideas of economy. The letter sets out the sizes and draft that Brunel believes they need to design for and suggests ways of reaching these dimensions. Brunel also anticipates the results of some experiments that he is conducting relating to friction which he believes may influence the design or materials. The letter also comments on Brunel's belief that a ship having greater positive length rather than relative length is more stable but his feeling that this needs additional testing.
Date	13 July 1852
Format	Manuscript volume
Extent	4 pages
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Access Conditions	This material is held at the Brunel Institute - please contact the Brunel Institute to arrange access.

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