An item reported that according to the Army and Navy gazette rumours were spread the French emperor Napoleon (1) wanted to buy the Great Eastern and converted into a transport.
The Zierikzeesche Courant dated 12 October wrote that the shareholders of the Great Eastern did not have to despair despite the latest incident while there seemed to be buyers for the ship. However the journalist did not believe that the British government which practical experience of the Great Eastern serving as transport would allow Lodewijk Napoleon to buy the ship. It seemed to have anchored in Milfordhaven probably to be ready to depart soon towards sea again.
Note
1. Louis-Napoléon (20 April 1808-9 January 1873)president of the French Second Republic (20 December 1848-2 December 1852) and as Napoleon III French emperor (2 December 1852-4 September 1880; nephew of Napoleon I.
