In 1837, the Great Western Steam Company was experiencing many problems forging the paddle shaft of the SS "Great Britain"; when even the largest hammer was tilted to its full height its range was so small that if a really large piece of work were placed on the anvil, the hammer had no room to fall, and in 1838 the company's engineer wrote to Nasmyth: "I find there is not a forge-hammer in England or Scotland powerful enough to forge the paddle-shaft of the engine for the Great Britain! What am I to do?” (Francis Humphries, 1838)