Both the plans of Messrs. Maudslay and Field and Mr. Humphrys are adapted to the case, and the choice will depend upon the relative cost and advantages of forming an establishment to build the engines, and that of having the skill of experienced manufacturers (p. 249). 21. Letter to T. R. Guppy, Esq., on the Construction of Iron Ships (August 3, 1843).....259 22. Extract from Letter on the ‘Great Britain’ Steam-ship (December 11, 1844).....261 23. Letter to Captain Claxton on the State of the ‘Great Britain’ Steam-ship (December 10, 1846).....264 24. Report on the Condition of the ‘Great Britain’ Steam-ship when stranded in Dundrum Bay (December 14, 1846).....267 The ship is, apart from mere local damage, perfectly sound, which would not have been the case had she been built of timber (p. 267)--Description of her injuries (p. 268)--Consideration of the best means of recovering the property invested in her--It would not be profitable to break her up (p. 268)--How, then, is the vessel to be got into port? (p. 269)--This question is secondary to that of how she is to be preserved until she can be removed (p. 269)--A stiff timber breakwater would not stand, even if it could be safely constructed (p. 269)--The best plan is to form under the stern and along the exposed side of the ship a mass of fagots (p. 270)--And in order to preserve the ship, this must be done without delay (p. 270)--As to floating her off, she should be lifted and made water-tight (p. 271)--But she must first be preserved (p. 272). 25. Letter to Captain Claxton on the Breakwater (December 29, 1846).....272 26. Report enclosing Captain Claxton’s Account of the Proceedings at Dundrum (February 27, 1847).....273 Success achieved by Captain Claxton in constructing the breakwater of fagots (p. 273)--Introduction by him of several important alterations and improvements in the plans proposed (p. 274). 27. Report on the proposed Means of Floating the ‘Great Britain’ Steam-ship (May 4, 1847).....278 The ship has been successfully protected and lifted, and made water-tight, so that the operation of floating by camels becomes more practicable (p. 279)--The Directors would do well to call in Mr. Bremner to advise them (p. 280). 28. Extract from Letter relating to Proceedings at the Admiralty as to the Screw Propeller (July 8, 1842).....283 29. Extract from Letter on the same Subject (August 6, 1842).....286 30. Statement of Project for a Line of large Steam-ships (June 10, 1852).....292 The principle advocated is that of making the vessel large enough to carry her own coal for the voyage, just as the ‘Great Western’ steam-ship did in 1838 (p. 292)--The size being limited only by the extent of demand for freight, and by the circumstances of the ports to be frequented (p. 292). 31. Extract from Letter describing the Project of the Great Ship (July 1, 1852).....293 32. Letter to J. Scott Russell, Esq., on the Form and Dimensions of the Great Ship (July 13, 1852).....294