T. E. Lawrence Correspondence – Page 8

boat proved 5 miles an hour faster than anyone expected, but bumped very badly in choppy water. Uncomfortable, and entailing a loss of speed except on calm days, but not dangerous, as the quality of her boat-building was excellent. Miss Carstairs is in with them well. It was, very good of you and F/Ldthr. Norrington to say such things about our work activity. We did all we could, I think, as things went; and Mr. Scott-Paine let us into most of his business, so there seemed nothing bad to hide up. That eased our job a lot. We both feel that hull and engines are sound and strong; and that their performance is away above that of the older boats; accordingly I would, as I said in Hythe, like to see what he could do in designing a slightly larger and more powerful craft - perhaps a 60-footer. The pinnaces, for all their safety and strength, are so dear. Wing Commander Smith has signed the original of the report, which will go to Coastal Area tomorrow. T.B.Shaw A/C I intentnionally didn't stress the "slip" figures of the propellor trials. The 16.8 at the 14.13 must be a world's low record for a speed boat. 25 is good. Mr.Scott Paine is looking into the why/ and wherefore, as it may help him in racing. Actually, of course, for our hull, the slip is too little for efficiency. I send a powr and consumption curve of the Power in case ... have not ... seen one.