| Description | Written from 18 Duke Street, Westminster, London. The letter asks Blake to send Brunel the list of the weights of engines that he was promised since Brunel is anxious that the auxiliary engines should have the power that he specified, if not more. Brunel mentions the conversations that he has had with steam sailors and his increasing belief that there are likely to be many days on the voyages where greater fuel economy can be achieved if the paddle wheels and sails are used and the screw merely revolves rather than using the screw engine. Brunel gives the current details of the indicator power of the engines and his wish, if possible, to slightly increase the diameter of the cylinders if it can be done at a low cost. |