| Ref No | DM1306/11/1/6/folio 147-149 |
| Title | Letter from William Jacomb to Isambard Kingdom Brunel |
| Description | Written from 18 Duke Street, Westminster, London. The letter explains that Jacomb is having considerable trouble loading the coal that has been delivered to the ship since some of the coal bunkers are not quite finished and cannot hold their full allocation of coal. The letter also explains that there is difficulty in getting the coal barge to access the two aft coal ports on the port side for the screw engines and John Scott Russell refuses to allow coal to be put in the bunkers for the paddle boilers. The letter includes a sketch showing how Jacomb proposes to store the remaining coal and details of the quantities of coal to be stored and that already used. The letter also mentions that Mr Powell has written to Mr McClennan (the ship's chief engineer) requesting a drawing showing the coal bunkers and their capacities which MacClennan has referred to Brunel. Jacomb offers to give Mr Powell the information he needs if Brunel wishes but suggests that it might be dangerous to give Mr Powell the details of the capacity of the coal bunkers. The letter also mentions that Jacomb has seen drawing of the engine governor from Boulton & Watt which Brunel was concerned about and explains that Mr Blake will visit Brunel to discuss it. Jacomb also gives details of other conversations that he had with Watt & Co about the progress being made on the screw engines and boilers. |
| Date | 15 July 1859 |
| Format | Manuscript volume |
| Extent | 3 pages |
| Access Conditions | This material is held at the Brunel Institute - please contact the Brunel Institute to arrange access. |