Brunel's report on the screw propeller for the SS Great Britain, October 1840
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Object number1997.008
TitleBrunel's report on the screw propeller for the SS Great Britain, October 1840
Creator Isambard Kingdom Brunel (author)
DescriptionI. K. Brunel's report to the Directors of the Great Western Steamship Company on adopting the screw propeller for the SS Great Britain in October 1840. This is the first report that was produced, before Brunel also presented his case for the screw propeller to the Admiralty Board in April 1841.
When construction of the SS Great Britain began in 1839, she was intended to be an iron-hulled paddle steamer. However, in 1840 Brunel explored the new technology of the marine screw propeller patented by Francis Pettit-Smith and in this report to the Directors of the GWSSCo. convinced them and the investors in the company to change the design for the SS Great Britain and adopt the screw propeller for the company's new ship.
The report consists of 24 pages of off white, woven handmade paper, watermarked ‘John Dewdney 1838’ - a paper maker from Devon. It is handwritten in black ink. The pages included margins and lines to help the writer with neatness. Most of the pages have writing on one side, except for page 10, page 23 and page 24. Page 24 includes Brunel’s signature on one side. The report has previously been stored folded, with the side which includes Brunel’s signature as the outer page. This has led to moderate decolourisation, so the paper that was exposed is darker than other pages. The writing is still visible. The report has previously been sealed with wax (seal has been lost), which has led to some damage to the paper.
The majority of the report is in the hand of one of Brunel’s clerks, believed to be his longest serving clerk Mr Bennett. However, it includes handwritten additions, notes and corrections in pencil in Brunel’s own hand. The final paragraph, which begins ‘in conclusion’ is in Brunel’s own handwriting, and his signature appears at the bottom of this page.
Consists of 24 loose sheets - accessioned individually.
In March 2020, this report was recognised by UNESCO as 'being of outstanding national value and importance to the United Kingdom', and it was inscribed to the UK Memory of the World Register.
Production date 1838 - 1840-10
Object namereport
Object categoryreporting
Materialpaper
Techniquehand-written
Dimensions
- height: 430 mm
width: 340 mm
depth: 20 mm
Credit lineCourtesy of the SS Great Britain Trust