| Description | Written from 18 Duke Street, Westminster, London. The letter explains at the costs of Mr Wilkins plans for finishing the ship which Brunel believes might cost up to 20,000 pounds whereas Brunel believes that the ship can be prepared for launching for considerably less. Brunel also mentions that the Directors of the Eastern Steam Navigation Company are aware that he hopes to use gas on the ship but that until Brunel has settled definitively on a method of using the gas, he prefers not to advertise it. Brunel also doubts that Mr Wilkins mechanical expertise is sufficiently great to be able to help in this matter. |