Details
CAPTAIN CHRISTOPHER CLAXTON, R. N.
Autograph letter signed ("C. Claxton") to I. K. Brunel, 5 pages, 8vo, The Priory, Battersea, March 30th 1853.
Detailing dimensions of berths and the use of space on various ships to help Brunel on the construction of the Great Eastern. "You must be content with approximate estimations of Saloon space as compared with sleeping or berth accommodation unless indeed you desire to have it exact." He compares the use of berth space on the new Royal Mailers the Oronoko and the Magdalena, the Cunard's Plata as well as the Great Western. "We have stowed sofas and all -- 130 Passengers in the Great Western -- I see now her Passenger accommodation is altered but her berths are numbered up to 59 -- so I suppose her to be good for 120 first class Passengers -- no seconds and I use up four sofas in lieu of two numbered berths." He concludes from his observations "So by this it appears 1200 feet of Saloon is sufficient for 2000 feet of Passenger berth accommodation -- or that 2000 feet of deck sleeps by double berths -- about 120 first class Passengers who can grub comfortably in a Saloon -- 60 by 20 -- at at 2 Tables -- about 50 feet long each."
Creased on folds.
Autograph letter signed ("C. Claxton") to I. K. Brunel, 5 pages, 8vo, The Priory, Battersea, March 30th 1853.
Detailing dimensions of berths and the use of space on various ships to help Brunel on the construction of the Great Eastern. "You must be content with approximate estimations of Saloon space as compared with sleeping or berth accommodation unless indeed you desire to have it exact." He compares the use of berth space on the new Royal Mailers the Oronoko and the Magdalena, the Cunard's Plata as well as the Great Western. "We have stowed sofas and all -- 130 Passengers in the Great Western -- I see now her Passenger accommodation is altered but her berths are numbered up to 59 -- so I suppose her to be good for 120 first class Passengers -- no seconds and I use up four sofas in lieu of two numbered berths." He concludes from his observations "So by this it appears 1200 feet of Saloon is sufficient for 2000 feet of Passenger berth accommodation -- or that 2000 feet of deck sleeps by double berths -- about 120 first class Passengers who can grub comfortably in a Saloon -- 60 by 20 -- at at 2 Tables -- about 50 feet long each."
Creased on folds.