Eastern Steam Navigation Company—Detailed proposals of the
directors—Capital subscribed to build the _Great Eastern_—Relative
size and speed of sailing-ships—Mr. Brunel proposes to build a ship
five or six times as big as any existing vessel, and is supported in
his views by Mr. Scott Russell—Plan of construction, size, &c.—Mr.
Atherton considers the views of the directors are not supported by
their data—The _Great Eastern_ commenced May 1, 1854—Details of her
dimensions and mode of construction—Practically, one ship within
another—Compartments and bulkheads—Floor—Construction of the iron
plates for hull—The deck and its strength—Enormous steam-power
from combination of paddle and screw—Paddle-wheel, auxiliary, and
screw-engines—Donkey-engines—Proposed accommodation for passengers,
&c.—View of deck, &c.—Saloon—Intended to carry twenty large boats
and two steamers—Compasses—Size of sails—Magnetic apparatus of Mr.
J. Gray—Apparatus for steering—Rudder and anchors, and _note_—The
ship itself a marvel, though commercially, a failure—Preparations for,
and details of, the launching of the _Great Eastern_