Letter from James Bottomley to John Bottomley carried on maiden voyage of ss Great Britain
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Object number2013.00011
TitleLetter from James Bottomley to John Bottomley carried on maiden voyage of ss Great Britain
Creator James Bottomley (author)
DescriptionLetter from James Bottomley to John Bottomley. Carried on the ship's maiden voyage as a transatlantic passenger ship. Letter sent from Uppermill to New York 'per steamer Great Britain from Liverpool'. Postmarks for Uppermill, Manchester and Liverpool, dated 25 and 26 July, on front. Also marked with 'P8' (indicating 8d Ship Letter rate prepaid) along with '6 [c]' US letter arrival charge. The letter itself is dated 25 July 1845. Includes addressee's note 'recd. 11th Aug Per Great Britain'.
James Bottomley writes to his son. He has recently sent another letter via another ship (the Cambria?). He spends the early part of the letter discussing the Great Britain itself, commenting that it is 'every way calculated to “astonish the nations” on your side the water.' He reports that the ship has been visited by thousands of people at every port it has called in at (presumably on its trial voyages) and that 'there appears to be no want of confidence' in the ship, evidenced by the low insurance charges for goods shipped on board.
Bottomley goes on to comment that, in spite of this, he doesn't expect the Great Britain will get very many passengers - 'there being somewhat the character of an experiment in her first trip.'
He goes on to discuss what appear to be family business matters, and shipments of 'cases' which he is sending via other vessels. He will send his son the invoices via another steamer leaving (Liverpool?) on 5 August.
The letter concludes with discussion of the weather in England, the cost of corn, and the risk of there being a bad harvest that year (which would affect prices of wool).
Production date 1845-07-25 - 1845-07-25
Object nameletter
Object categorycorrespondence
Techniquehand-written
Dimensions
- height: 234 mm
open width: 373 mm
closed width: 189 mm