Designed by engineer John Dixon,
Cleopatra was essentially an iron cylinder long and diameter containing the obelisk. It was supplemented by a
bow and a vertical stern, rudder, two sidewalls, and a mast for sails to stabilise the vessel. A bridge was built to accommodate the crew. Designed as a pontoon, and commanded by Captain Carter, she was to be towed to London by the ship
Olga, commanded by Captain Booth. The cylindrical shape was a clever choice in the context of a constrained budget (private funding by some patrons). Indeed, the cylinder, made of sheet metal riveted curves was literally built around the obelisk, with circular internal partitions used as cradles for the monolith. Both ends were topped with a crown of planks, the cylinder could ride on the
Nile, with minimal effort, using cables driven by winches. Unfortunately, at the time of launching, a concealed rock in the mud punctured the cylinder which then blocked the waterway. After towing to a
dry-dock of the Egyptian Admiralty, the cylinder was turned into a ship by adding an internal
ballast made of rails, a bow and a stern with rudder and a roof to shelter the crew. It carried a single mast rigged with gaff and foresail. Once completed, the ship looked like a primitive
submarine, but its seagoing capabilities were more limited and in retrospect, the choice of crossing the
Bay of Biscay in the autumn was a risky choice. == See also==