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G. Stephenson to T. Richardson 01 Mar 1827 p2
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| Description | Letter sent by George Stephenson, locomotive engineer, to Thomas Richardson, financier, commenting that he doesn't feel he has lost anything by John Rennie stepping in for the Liverpool and Manchester Railway, as he is as busy as ever. He further refers to his appointment to a railway in Wales (Nantlle Railway) and the Bolton and Leigh Railway; states that the Liverpool and Manchester Railway is upmost in his thoughts; discusses progress on the tunnel beneath Liverpool (Wapping Tunnel); comments on the abilities of Allcard. A postscript states that he has done a good deal on Chat Moss. |
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| Date of Creation | 01 Mar 1827 |
| Creator | George Stephenson |
| Archive Reference | STE/1/5/4/3 |
| Transcript |
G.[George] Stephenson Liverpool 1st March 1827 Mr Richardson Dear Sir, I duly received yours of the 24th Ult.[Ultimo]. As Liverpool is now my head quarters you may always be sure a letter will find me here, and I assure you letters from you will always be gladly received. I think I am as much engaged in Railroads as I ever was, and I do not think I have lost any thing by Rennie stepping in here for a time. I have now got to know the worth of all those great names . And I can say to you that they have been sounded very, very much higher than they ought to have been. The Bolton & Leigh Railway has again fallen into my hands, as also one in Wales I have been appointed Engineer for lately. It extends from the Slate Quarries to Carnarvon about 9 miles in length. But the Liverpool line occupies the greatest part of my thoughts, and I assure you it will require my closest attention, for it is a weighty concern. But the whole of the operative part is now so familiar to me that I trust I shall execute it to the satisfaction of the Company. We are getting on very well with the Tunnel underneath Liverpool, and I think shall have it finished in the course of two years. Great part of the tunnel will stand without artificial arching, as it passes through sound rock - perhaps one third of it may require artificial arching - some of it we have done already which has a fine appearance. We should now have had about 1/ 4th of the tunnel done had Rennie's surveyor not made such a mistake in the survey. With the experience I have had on the Darlington and other Railroads constructed together with the improved rails and[crossed out] chairs, which I have made since the Darlington Railway and the whole train of machinery, this line will far surpass any other yet made. And as I find from your letter, so many minds are now employed in studying Railroads, unless I keep stepping forward some one will step past me. It would be a most delightful relief to me, to have Roberts assistance, and I hope he will not be long in joining me I assure it was most gratifying news to me to hear him so well spoken of by the Company. And I trust that his exertions in Columbia will prove beneficial to that concern. As I think I shall not be long until I visit Canterbury, as I know that my assistance is wanted there. This will give me an opportunity, of seeing you when we can consult about the young men you recommend to my notice. I have been applied to by several respectable families to take their sons, but any of your friends will get the preference. I do not wish to engage many more until Roberts return. Allcard is getting to be very useful, and I think his parents would find him much improved when he was last in London. I have another young man from Bedlington who has also got of great use to me. Fordham is also an active and useful man but he requires a bridle[?]. If the Canterbury Company will only let Mr. Ellis and I, have his bills to examine every fortnight we shall be able to manage him. Mrs. Stephenson on has arrived safe in Liverpool and has almost recovered from her long illness, she joins me in kind regards to you and Mrs. Richardson and Believe me Dear Sir Yours always faithfully Geo.[George] Stephenson I have got a good deal done on Chat Moss, and have quite proved that my plans proposed to parliament[Parliament] for crossing the Moss were quite correct. The Moss is the best material for making embankments that I have ever had to do with. T.[Thomas Richardson] Stamford Hill London |
| Transcript (continued) | Please contact archive@imeche.org to report any transcription errors |
