Great Eastern paddlefloats

[Christian]

Hello group!

My friend and I stumbled just over another stone regarding the Great
Eastern. But the answer most certainly can be found here at the Paddleducks
group. :-)

This much we know: The 30 floats of each paddle wheel were fixed with nuts
and bolts and could be adjusted in height between the two outer rings of the
triple cobweb-like wheels. Any adjustment would probably take a whole day
and would be most dangerous while at sea so it most likely was rarely
performed. Too deep or too shallow a draft would be compensated for by
pumping sea water in or out the ship rather than changing the position of
the floats.

My question: on the 1865 John Scott Russell plans the floats appear with
rounded corners and at the outermost position. The "builder's model" shown
in the Patrick Beaver book in b/w and in the book "Eyewitness Books:
Titanic" in color (the latter is worth the purchase for the one GE model pic
alone, believe me) shows the floats also in the outermost position and
apparently with slightly rounded corners. The Schreiber paper model calls
for rounding the outer corners only, but it is the least reliable source
IMHO.

The photographs showing the Great Eastern beached for repair works at
Milford Haven around 1862 after the freak storm of course show the second
set of paddle wheels. The floats appear to be exactly between the two outer
rings and the corners appear to be sharp, not rounded. All other photographs
are taken from too far away to be able to tell for sure.

Can anybody tell me how the first set of floats (as built) might have been
looked regarding position (up down) and especially the corner? What was
common British practice on oaken non-feathering floats in mid 19th century
for ocean going paddle wheelers?

Any kind of info would be greatly appreciated.

Best

Christian