| Description | Written from the Liverpool & Australian Navigation Company, North John Street, Liverpool. The letter explains that Martin and his company have been working extremely hard to get the S.S. Great Britain ready to sail to New York. The letter answers several questions that Claxton has asked relating to coal. Martin recommends the use of Woods Duffryn Coal and gives the length of time the his firm have been using it. The letter gives a lukewarm response to the use of anthracite coal and explains that Martin has no experience of using North Country coal. The letter also gives the sorts of coal that other firms, including Cunard and Ocean Steamers, use. The letter also gives the quantity and type of coal that Martin has just used in the Great Britain's most recent voyage. The letter also comments on other materials that Martin can recommend from their use on the Great Britain or the Royal Charter, including patent slab for covering boilers and the solution used for coating the hull. |