| Description | Written from Deptford Pier, London. The letter apologises that Humphreys cannot give Brunel much information about the best immersion depth of the paddle wheel of a large ocean going steamer since his firm have mainly dealt with building war ships, for which it is difficult to get correct experimental data. However, Humphreys suggests some people who might be able to give Brunel additional details about large paddle steamers. The letter also includes a list with the diameters and dimensions of the paddle wheels of several larger ships that Humphreys has been involved with building including the Dragon, the Scourge, the Sphynx, the Firebrand, the Terrible and the Birkenhead. |