| Description | Written from 18 Duke Street, Westminster, London. The letter expresses Brunel's confidence in the rate of work that is going on and his confidence that the work will be completed in time for the 3 November 1857. Brunel explains that he is not allowing any question of alternative dates to enter anyone's head but since Hope has asked, Brunel considers, given the tides, that the December tide would be sufficient to launch the ship since it is as good as the May tide and better than the August tide which Brunel had considered sufficient for an early launch date. |