| Description | Written from 18 Duke Street, Westminster, London. The letter explains that the work that is ongoing on the ship is the work that will contribute to making the ship ready for a sea voyage. The letter confirms that the work on the ironwork, decking and iron masts has begun and can quite safely be proceeded with once the ship is afloat so that it can be completed before the fitting out of the ship but warns about the way of organising the labour and offers suggestions for contracting out the work and paying for it. The letter also discusses the work remaining on the decks, skylights, companions, cabins and interior fittings of the ship, how it might be carried out and by whom and the general system of organising the work to be done and the workmen and explains how the Eastern Steam Navigation Company's circumstances are quite different to the usual system. The letter also reminds Yates that Brunel has previously mentioned Captain Ford as a possible candidate for organising and overseeing this sort of work, having previously been employed by Mr Mare or the General Screw Company and reminds Yates that he was going to make enquiries as to the possibility of hiring Ford. Brunel mentions that he has been making various enquiries but has not yet found any suitable candidates but hopes to have additional information soon.
There are several pencil annotations in the margin and the text of Folios 390 and 391 highlighting passages of text relating to Captain Ford. |