CHAPTER XII.

_STEAM NAVIGATION. THE ‘GREAT EASTERN’ STEAM-SHIP. THE LAUNCH._

A.D. 1857, 1858. ÆTATIS 52.

Determination that the Ship should be launched broadside to the River--And that the Launch should be slow--_Extracts from Mr. Brunel’s Report of February 1855_--Reasons for the Adoption of Iron Sliding Surfaces--Description of the Ways and Cradles--And of the Motive Power provided for launching the Ship--_Memorandum on proposed Arrangements for the Launch_ (September 26, 1857)--_Letter to Captain Harrison on River Tackle_ (September 30, 1857)--_Letter on the Nature of the Operations_ (October 23, 1857)--_Memorandum on general Arrangements and intended Mode of Proceeding_ (October 30, 1857)--History of the Launch, Nov. 3, 1857 to January 31, 1858--_Letter to the Directors_ (November 26, 1857)--_Report and Memorandum on the Launching Operations_ (December 17, 1857)--Floating the Ship--_Note A_: Experiments and Observations on Friction--_Note B:_ Letter to W. Froude, Esq. (February 2, 1858).....340