T. E. Lawrence Correspondence – Page 45

gears in as quickly as the old hand-levers permitted, which removed the last argument against the new system. Incidentally I am checking the battery question carefully, with two new Smith 110 amp. batteries. These have been in use eleven days, and have done over 100 starts. To-day battbung they were both almost fully charged the running time being 12 1/2 hours at 10 amp. charging rate, and average of only 1 hours running per day, much less thanservice average. If they will stand up to Ryland testing, with their many starts, and little full throttle work, then in station use they should never run down. On Friday I am expecting F/Lt. Norrinton, Mr. Jimnn and S/Ldr. Roach for trials. So far there has not been an adverse opinion. W/Cmdr. Watkins was delighted at the advance made betwcen 200 and 202] He called 202 a beautiful piece of work and is keen to change over. While we are working on the reverse problem we have agreed to keep hex at Hythe. I got your Bridlington lett today, and am sorry that you will not be down here to see how the gear now works. We have a re-design for the telegraph and link- up ready for standardising} and notes for Ryland to modify bits of the gear he makes. Meanwhile he has sent the B.P.B.Co. a blue-print, showing considerable changes in pump and ram.