CHAPTER IX.

_STEAM NAVIGATION. THE ‘GREAT BRITAIN’ STEAM-SHIP._

A.D. 1838--1847. ÆTATIS 33--42.

Commencement of the building of the ‘Great Britain’--_Report on the Engines_ (June 13, 1839)--Experiments on the Screw Propeller--Its Adoption in the ‘Great Britain’--Completion of the Ship--Her Voyage across the Atlantic--Stranding of the ‘Great Britain’ in Dundrum Bay--_Letter to Captain Claxton on the Condition of the ‘Great Britain’ and on the Means to be adopted for saving her_ (December 10, 1846)--_Report to the Directors on the same Subject_ (December 14, 1846)--Appointment of Captain Claxton to superintend the Execution of Mr. Brunel’s Plans--_Letter to Captain Claxton on the Difficulties to be overcome_ (December 29, 1846)--_Report enclosing Captain Claxton’s Account of the Erection of the Breakwater_ (February 27, 1847)--_Report on the Arrangements for Floating off the Ship_ (May 4, 1847)--Successful Accomplishment of the Floating Operations--Subsequent History of the ‘Great Britain’--_Note_: Dimensions of the Ship and Engines.....246