Milford Packet No. 1, Cinderella, 1823, 1824, 1830, 1840

Steam Boat Engines (12 items).

1146. Milford Packet No. 1, Cinderella (VK & VL). May-Jul., Nov. 1823, Jan. 1824, circa Sep. 1830; Apr.-Jun. 1840. 12 items.
Two 40 horse power side lever boat engines, with 35½ inch cylinders, 3½ foot strokes. Power increased to 50 horses 1830. Boat re-named Cuckoo 1837.

Midship section of the boat and engines, section of the boat "at station 16", side view of the engine room, plan of the sleepers - drawings made in the London office; section and plan of boiler (drawing made by ? - marked on the back "Messrs. Boulton Watt & Co."); rough section and plan of the boiler; section and plan of the boiler - coloured reverse drawing (this drawing bears a letter code); sketches and notes re shafts, headstock frames etc. sent to the Foundry (4 small sheets stuck together, including a note about the Navy tug's shafts); shaded drawing of stays.
Also sketch of paddle shaft by Hollins Hunt, circa Sep. 1830. Only the coloured boiler drawing bears a letter code.
Also the following items from when the boat was re-named Cuckoo: plan and sections of the boat showing blow-off pipes etc. - partially coloured reverse drawing made in the London office, Apr. 1840; plan and sections of coal boxes, May 1840; blow-out pipes and cocks - partially coloured drawing, Jun. 1840. All these drawings bear letter codes.

Original Portfolio or 'Book' No. 763. Catalogue of Old Engines p. 314.

For H. M. Post Office, Milford station. The boat, built by Wigram & Green of Blackwall, was referred to as "Milford No. 1" before being named Cinderella. By Mar. 1832 she was operating from the Holyhead station, and she was re-named Cuckoo in 1837 when the Navy took over the Post Office packet fleet. Cuckoo was fitted as a makeshift gunboat during the Crimean War and took part in the bombardment of Bomarsund in Aug. 1854.