| Description | Letterbook for the Eastern Steam Navigation Company containing copies of letters to and sometimes holograph copies of letters from Isambard Kingdom Brunel regarding the running of the Eastern Steam Navigation Company and the building of the S.S. Great Eastern.
This volume covers the completion of the construction of the hull of the ships, the arrangements for launching the ship and the aftermath of the initial failed launch and the final successful launch. The volume includes Brunel's memoranda for arrangements for launching the ship, the correspondence relating to the loan of various items needed to aid in the launch and correspondence from members of the public with suggestions for alternative ways of finishing the launch after the ship got stuck halfway down the launching ways. |