Letter by Sir Marc Isambard Brunel to Benjamin Hawes regarding the Thames Tunnel, 30 December 1839
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Object number2014.03088
TitleLetter by Sir Marc Isambard Brunel to Benjamin Hawes regarding the Thames Tunnel, 30 December 1839
Creator Marc Isambard Brunel (author)
DescriptionLetter by Sir Marc Brunel to his son-in-law Benjamin Hawes, dated 30 December 1839. Concerns the construction of the Thames Tunnel, saying that they have resumed work that morning despite the 'great influx proceeding from the sand floods'. Brunel reports that 'Pinchback now says that he has been completely deceived [...] by Chartier[?]'. He mentions Applebee's imputation against Fletcher, and calls Applebee a 'superannuated Courier of Dolls and Toys for a Toy House... The greatest coward upon the premises - Yet it is to him that the police of the Gate is interested[?]'.
He goes on to describe Fletcher's character as excellent, but that Fletcher himself knows that 'he has been several times - like all the Leading men during the period, that they were disabled by the influence of the Gases.'
At the end of the letter he refers to the progress of the 'Shield'. Signed 'M.I. Brunel'. One sheet of paper folded. Addressed to 'Bn Hawes Esq M.P. Mortlake' on reverse with postmark. Red seal in top left hand corner on reverse.
Transcript available.
Production date 1839-12-30 - 1839-12-30
Object nameletter
Object categorycorrespondence
Techniquehand-written
Dimensions
- height: 222 mm
width: 256 mm
width: 128 mm
Credit line“Accepted under the Cultural Gifts Scheme by HM Government from Clive Richards OBE DL and allocated to the ss Great Britain Trust, 2017”