The Sun.
London, England, 1859-11-03 00:00:00

TO TIIE EDITOR OF THE LIVERPOOL DAILY POST.
Dear, Sir,—ln justice to Mr. Thomas Bold, and
for the inforniatioa of all those interested in the
Great Eastern, it is my duty to inform you that
there is no foundation in the statement contained
in your paper, that £40,000 has been placed at his
disposal for the completion of that vessel, or that
any sum has been so placed, or any such duty as-
signed to that gentleman.
Mr. Bold's position at the board is that of direc-
tor appointed to fill a vacancy, and subject to the
confirmation of a general meeting, and acting
managing-director for Mr. Jackson.
The contract of the company for the completion
of the Great Eastern and the work performed have
in due course been subjected to the most careful
examination of three experienced surveyors, whose
report will furnish Mr. llawkshaw as umpire, and
Messrs. Fowler and M'Clean as arbitrators, with
material on which to deliberate in making the
award. Until this is done the company are not
aware to what extent, if at all, they can be called
upon disburse any funds except for extras speci-
ally ordered. In the completion of the work the
superv-sion of a competent surveyor will supersede
the necessity of assigning to any director that duty.
The reports circulatd as to the reasons leading to
the adoption of. Southampton as the port of com-
pletion are equally without foundation ; all the
energies of the board from April to August were
devoted to the completion of the ship in time
for the American season, and but for the
unfortunate accident (over whi ch the directors
had no possible control), the ship would have
been in America in September, leaving for after
completion that which could have been temporarily
dispensed with. The delay consequent on making
good the damage done by the accident deranged
our plans, and two courses remained open for our
adoption. The first was to go to America, realise
little by the voyage out, and find when we arrived
there that dis appointment to the people of America
and ourselves could have been the only result of
visiting them at a time when they could not visit
us. The next course was to turn to account, this
time, the finishing of the vessel, and utilise in a
central position the time so occupied by gratifying
the interest taken in the vessel by our countrymen.
This done, an early opportunity would be afforded
the directors of further testing the vessel's sea
qualities by a trip to the warm climate of the
Mediterranean, which would ensure passengers,
and prepare the public mind for that complete con-
fidence necessary to obtain all the passengers and
goods essential to her complete success on whatever
voyage she might be sent; preparing her also, at
the same time, for government employ, if so desired,
and leaving the American trip to the more season-
able period of the year, for the most complete
realisation of their and our wishes.
The determination of a final and fixed port of
departure will entirely depend upon the respective
merits of the ports in this country, adapted, by
position and safety, natural advantages and trade
facilities, for the vessel ; but this much you may
depend upon, that so long as I have anything to
-do with the management of the affairs of the COlll-