"The sails necessary to steady the ship in a chance breeze; "The _compasses_ and their _adjustment_ and all the means that are available for freeing the ship from water. "I should like to get around me such a staff of men that I might hope to rely at least upon a portion of them. "If the crew are all shipped at the last moment, you begin with a difficulty at once. I would not, of course, incur the expense of employing a large crew at present, but I would select a good nucleus, and have the ship's work and discipline well in hand in good season. "Is the ship to go into Valentia Harbor? If so, I advise you to let me go and see it. It is narrow. Should it prove a calm day this might be of no moment, but it is not always calm in Ireland; we might have to wait for a day or two. But these are first thoughts. I will see what I think on Tuesday. Perhaps you might show this letter to Mr. Canning, or any one you like. If they think I should now join them, immediate application should be made; if not, it will be very bad if I cannot work with the tools I get. "Sincerely yours, "JAMES ANDERSON." The foresight and circumspection displayed in this note were characteristic, and were among the qualities which, combined with Captain Anderson's seamanship and long experience on the Atlantic, made Mr. Field anxious to secure his services. The application to the Cunard company for a leave of absence was granted, and there was no fault to be found with the manner in which the temporary captain of the _Great Eastern_ performed this part of the work. "The _Great Eastern_ had arrived at her berth in the Medway on the 11th of July, 1864," wrote Mr. Field, "and the work on the three tanks was begun at once. They were not completely finished until February, 1865, although the coiling began on January 20th. The admiralty had detailed two vessels, the _Amethyst_ and _Iris_, to take the cable from the works to the _Great Eastern_, and late in June all was safely on board."