Page:Walker - An Unsinkable Titanic (1912).djvu/92

AN UNSINKABLE TITANIC such complete subdivision, that "several compartments might be opened to the sea without endangering the ship."

So remarkable in every respect was the Great Eastern, so admirable a model is she of safe construction, even for the naval architect of to-day, that a somewhat extended description of the construction of the vessel will doubtless be welcome.

It was at the close of the year 1851 that Brunel made a study of the problem of building a vessel of sufficient size to carry enough coal to make a round voyage to Australia and back, and at the same time afford comfortable accommodations for an unusually large number of passengers and carry a large amount of freight. With the thoroughness and frank open-mindedness which distinguished the man, he sought for information and advice from every promising quarter. Sir William White is of the opinion that all the leading features of the design, such as the structure, the arrangement of the propelling machinery, and the determination of dimensions, originated with Brunel, who said at the time: "I never embarked on any one thing to which I have so [ 74 ]