Details
CAPTAIN CHRISTOPHER CLAXTON, R. N.
Autograph letter signed ("C. Claxton") to I. K. Brunel, 4 pages, 8vo, Priory Battersea, March 31st 1853.
Refering to the dimensions of Life Boats. "There is great discrepancy between John Whites Life Boats and the Great Britains -- with only one foot more beam in the former (say good for 15 men). The Royal Mailers estimate Whites Boats 30 by 9 by 3 -- as good for 60 or 70." He goes onto discuss the actual structure of the boats using wood and iron with copper or metal bolts and illustrates his ideas with three diagrams. He concludes by discussing the current voyage of the Great Britain. "Great Britain was only 33 days from Melbourne to Algoa Bay, 1 day short of Cape. Bright does not know yet ... why she touched there ... What can they have been doing with the Coal between St. Vincents and St. Helena -- They filled up at St. Vincents I believe and could not steam under 2000 miles!! without replenishing ... Bright means to alter Great Britains Rudder."
Creased on folds.
Autograph letter signed ("C. Claxton") to I. K. Brunel, 4 pages, 8vo, Priory Battersea, March 31st 1853.
Refering to the dimensions of Life Boats. "There is great discrepancy between John Whites Life Boats and the Great Britains -- with only one foot more beam in the former (say good for 15 men). The Royal Mailers estimate Whites Boats 30 by 9 by 3 -- as good for 60 or 70." He goes onto discuss the actual structure of the boats using wood and iron with copper or metal bolts and illustrates his ideas with three diagrams. He concludes by discussing the current voyage of the Great Britain. "Great Britain was only 33 days from Melbourne to Algoa Bay, 1 day short of Cape. Bright does not know yet ... why she touched there ... What can they have been doing with the Coal between St. Vincents and St. Helena -- They filled up at St. Vincents I believe and could not steam under 2000 miles!! without replenishing ... Bright means to alter Great Britains Rudder."
Creased on folds.