A General Plan for a Mail Communication by Steam, Between Great Britain and the Eastern and Western Parts of the World
by James MacQueen · English · Gutenberg #20702 · 327,241 chars · public domain (US)
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Title: A General Plan for a Mail Communication by Steam, Between Great Britain and the Eastern and Western Parts of the World
Author: James MacQueen
Release date: February 27, 2007 [eBook #20702]
Language: English
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Credits: Produced by Adrian Mastronardi, The Philatelic Digital
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*** START OF THE PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK A GENERAL PLAN FOR A MAIL COMMUNICATION BY STEAM, BETWEEN GREAT BRITAIN AND THE EASTERN AND WESTERN PARTS OF THE WORLD ***
Produced by Adrian Mastronardi, The Philatelic Digital
Library Project at http://www.tpdlp.net, Christine P.
Travers and the Online Distributed Proofreading Team at
http://www.pgdp.net (This book was produced from scanned
images of public domain material from the Google Print
project.)
A GENERAL PLAN
FOR
A MAIL
COMMUNICATION BY STEAM,
BETWEEN
GREAT BRITAIN
AND THE
EASTERN AND WESTERN PARTS OF THE WORLD;
ALSO, TO
CANTON AND SYDNEY, WESTWARD BY THE PACIFIC;
TO WHICH ARE ADDED,
GEOGRAPHICAL NOTICES
OF THE ISTHMUS OF PANAMA, NICARAGUA, &c.
With Charts.
By JAMES M'QUEEN, Esq.
LONDON;
B. FELLOWES, LUDGATE STREET.
1838.
Startling as the subject of connecting China and New South Wales (p. vi)
with Great Britain, through the West Indies, may at first sight
appear, both as regards time and expense, still few things are more
practicable. The labour and expense of crossing the Isthmus of
America, either by Panama or by Lake Nicaragua, by a land conveyance,
is trifling. With eight steam-boats, ONLY FOUR ADDITIONAL to the
number already in the West Indies, added to the present sailing-packet
establishment, the whole Plan for the Western World, extending it
westward to China and New South Wales, can, in the mean time, as the
following pages will show you, be put into execution to the fullest
extent, with a very great saving in time, and with very great
regularity. A water communication moreover will, I feel convinced, and
at no distant day, be carried through the American Isthmus--say by
Lake Nicaragua--when the sailing packets for the Pacific may run
direct between Jamaica and Sydney, New South Wales, and Canton-China.
In the estimate for the cost of steam-boats to be employed in the
service proposed, I have been chiefly guided by, and adhere to, the
statement made by that able and practical engineer Mr. Napier, of
Glasgow, in his evidence to the Post-office Commissioners in 1836,
that steam-boats of 240-horse power, and 620 tons burthen, could be
furnished at from 24,000_l._ to 25,000_l._ At this rate the total
yearly cost of mail communications by the aid of steam, to every
quarter which has been adverted to in the subsequent pages, will (p. vii)
be as stated in the following brief summary. Reference No. 1, shows
the expenditure, keeping the Red Sea route confined to India only, and
extending the communication to China and Sydney by the Pacific, from
Panama or Rialejo. No. 2, the expense, confining the communication by
the Cape of Good Hope to India only, and extending the communication
to Canton, &c. across the Pacific as before. No. 3, shows the
expenditure for the Western World, the work performed by steam in the
West Indies, and steam from Falmouth to Fayal, with sailing-packets
for the remainder of the work; and the whole expense, by extending
sailing-packets to China and Sydney westward across the Pacific, but
limiting the communication by the Red Sea to India only. Lastly, No.
4, shows the expenditure of the communications made in a way similar
to No. 3, limiting the conveyance by the Cape of Good Hope to India
only: (see also Appendix No. 2, p. 128.)
No. 1. No. 2. No. 3. No. 4.
Western World £279,250 £279,250 £161,615 £161,615
East Indies, &c. 128,850 187,978 128,850 187,978
Pacific 63,000 63,000 63,000 63,000
-------- -------- -------- --------
£471,100 £530,228 £353,465 £412,593
-------- -------- -------- --------
It is, however, to that portion connected with the Western World that
the immediate and particular attention of yourself and the other
members of Her Majesty's Government is particularly requested. The
other parts, above alluded to, may hereafter not be deemed (p. viii)
unworthy of your consideration, and the consideration of the Public.
Carried into effect in a decided manner, and as speedily as the nature
and extent of the machinery required will admit, it would produce
great and lasting advantages to the British empire, and confer great
honour upon the British Government and the splendid Post-office
establishment of this country.
Permit me to observe, that the speedy conveyance of mails outwards, to
any place, is but a _minor_ point gained, unless the returns are made
regular and equally rapid, and so combined, that while every place
possible can be embraced in the line, no place shall obtain any undue
advantage over another. These points can never be lost sight of in
planning or arranging any mail communication, but more especially a
communication like that at present proposed.
No narrow or parsimonious views on the part of this great country
ought to throw aside the plan particularly alluded to, or leave it to
be taken up and split into divisions by parties, perhaps foreigners,
who will then not only command the channels of British intelligence,
but be enabled to demand what price they please for carrying a large
and important portion of the commercial correspondence of this
country. The Public, moreover, can only repose implicit confidence in
a mail conveyance under the direction and the responsibility of
Government. Further, it is scarcely necessary to point out, or to (p. ix)
advert to, the immense advantages which the Government of Great
Britain would possess, in the event of hostilities, by having the
command and the direction of such a mighty and extensive steam power
and communication, which would enable them to forward, to any point
within its vast range, despatches, troops, and warlike stores. From
Falmouth, letters might be at Sydney, New South Wales, in
seventy-five, and at Canton-China in seventy-eight days, by employing
sailing packets only, to cross the Pacific from the Isthmus of
America. Letters from Falmouth, by way of Barbadoes, Jamaica, and
Chagre, could be at Lima in thirty-five days.
To give greater security to the mails, and comfort and accommodation
to passengers, &c. a class of sailing-vessels rather larger than the
generality of those at present employed in the West Indies, ought to
be engaged; and for this purpose, a larger sum annually must be
allowed to defray the expense. Some of those at present employed, such
as the Charib, may do, but sloops are too small for the service.
It is only within these few months that a mail communication, and that
very uncertain and irregular, has been commenced with the British
Empire in Hindostan, containing 100,000,000 of people. With the
rapidly rising colonies in British America, containing 1,700,000
enterprising inhabitants, there is still but one ill-regulated mail
conveyance, by a sailing-packet, each month. Such a state of things (p. x)
is neither creditable nor safe to a country like Great Britain.
The population of these colonies must be left far behind their
neighbours in the United States in all commercial intelligence, and
the interests of the former must consequently suffer greatly.
The steam-boats to be employed in the service contemplated, although
of the high power mentioned, need not be of the same tonnage as
vessels of an equal power which are built for the sole purpose of
carrying goods. Consequently, a considerable expense in building the
former will be saved. Mails never can be carried either with
regularity or certainty in vessels, the chief object and dependence of
which is to carry merchandize. The time which such vessels would
require to procure, take in, and discharge cargoes, would render
punctuality and regularity, two things indispensably necessary in all
mail communications, quite impracticable. Any attempt to resort to
such a system, more especially in a quarter where steamers would have
so many places to call at as these will have in the West Indies, would
throw every thing into inextricable confusion. Steam-boats carrying
mails and passengers should be the mail-coaches of the ocean, limited
as mail-coaches on land are to cargoes, and as near as possible to the
tonnage pointed out in the following pages. The steamers to be
employed in the service contemplated should also be built broad in the
beam, of a light draught of water, and in speed, accommodation, and (p. xi)
security, must be such that no others of equal powers can surpass them.
The liberality of MR. JOHN ARROWSMITH, so well known for his
geographical knowledge and geographical accuracy, has enabled me,
without the labour of constructing it, to present to you and to the
public the Chart of the World, between 70° N. lat. and 60° S. lat., on
Mercator's projection, which accompanies the present sheets. On it I
have laid down all the routes of both steamers and sailing-packets, to
every quarter of the world that has been adverted to; and further
added a Chart of the West Indies, and of the Isthmus of America, drawn
by myself, and corrected by the latest authorities.
The timid and the interested will throw every doubt upon the success
of such an undertaking. What is going on in the world is the best
answer to doubts and fears on this subject. What takes place in other
quarters will take place in the quarters alluded to, namely, success
where failure was anticipated.
In a vast undertaking like the plan proposed, the interests of the
Government and the general interests of the public must be specially
kept in view and particularly attended to. By attending closely to
these interests, the Government will find that it best and most
effectually consults the interests of individuals, places and
communities. No partial or local interest or opposition (such may (p. xii)
in this, as in most other concerns, appear) ought to be listened to.
Any such opposition can only proceed from prejudice, or ignorance, or
self-interest; and a little experience will satisfy the public, and
convince even such opposition, that the fact is so; and, moreover,
that in the arrangements proposed, no interest in any quarter has been
neglected.
I have the honour to be,
Sir,
Your most obedient humble servant,
JAMES M'QUEEN.
London, 14th Feb. 1838.
A GENERAL PLAN FOR CONVEYANCE OF MAILS BY STEAM, &c. &c. (p. 001)
INTRODUCTION.
The conveyance of mails and despatches from one place to another is of
the utmost possible importance to individuals, and to a country. The
rapidity and regularity with which such communications can be made,
gives to every nation an influence, a command, and advantages such as
scarcely any thing else can give, and frequently extends even beyond
the sphere of that influence and that command which the direct
application of mere physical power can obtain to any government or
people.
Much as Great Britain has already done, in this respect, to connect
and to communicate with her very extensive, valuable, and important
foreign dependencies, still much more remains to be done, to give her
those advantages, and that influence, and that command which she might
have, which she ought to have, which all her great interests require
she should have; and which the power of steam, together with the late
great improvements in machinery, can and ought, in a special manner,
to secure unto her, her commerce, her power, and her people.
In no quarters of the world could the application of the power and the
improvements alluded to prove so advantageous to the commercial (p. 002)
and the political interests of Great Britain as in the East Indies, in
the West Indies, and in those places connected with these quarters;
and also in all those countries and places which afford the safest and
the speediest means of connecting the chain closely which tends to
enable her to communicate more frequently, more rapidly, and more
regularly with these places; and, at the same time, all these
quarters, and her own possessions, with the parent State.
The object being a national one, it ought to be carried into effect by
the nation, without reference to the mere question of pounds shillings
and pence; that is, whether it is to become a directly remunerating
concern or not. While the important subject ought to be taken up in
this manner by the Government of Great Britain, it may be observed
that the plan requisite, carried into effect in the most extensive
manner, will certainly remunerate fully the Government or the
individuals who may undertake the work, either on the general or on
the more limited scale; but the higher, the more the scale is
extended.
In fact, unless the plan is carried into effect on an extensive scale,
it will not prove a concern so remunerating as it would otherwise be,
because it is only by connecting different places in the line, or
within the sphere of communication, that a greater number, or rather a
sufficient number, of letters and passengers can be obtained; and
unless the communications are sufficiently frequent and regular, both
letters and travellers will continue to find private traders and ships
in general the quickest mode of proceeding on and getting to the end
of their journey, or the place of their destination.
The position of the United States, in the western world, and the very
extensive trade which these States carry on with every part of that
quarter of the world, and indeed with every quarter of the world,
gives the merchants of these States, constituted as the packet
arrangements and communications of Great Britain with foreign parts
now are, an opportunity of receiving earlier intelligence regarding
the state of many important foreign markets than British merchants in
general enjoy, except such as are immediately connected with
establishments in the United States, and by which means both obtain
decided advantages over the rest of the commercial community. (p. 003)
This ought not to be the case in a great commercial country like Great
Britain. It is a fact quite notorious, that from almost every quarter
of the western world the earliest intelligence is almost uniformly
received through the United States. The whole correspondence of the
important British Provinces, the Canadas, comes through these States.
It is also notorious, that, by means of our own commercial marine,
intelligence is generally received from many foreign countries earlier
than by Government Packets. Indeed, it is not uncommon among merchants
to return, unopened, to the Post-office many letters in originals,
they having previously received the duplicates by private merchant
ships. Besides, it is well known that vast numbers of letters from
Great Britain to Foreign States are sent through the United States,
because these go earlier to their place of destination. In these
various ways a great Post-office revenue is cut off, while the
mercantile world are put to a great inconvenience and uncertainty. It
is not befitting that the first commercial country in the world should
remain dependent upon the private ships of another commercial and
rival state for the transmission of commercial correspondence. If such
a deficient system is persevered in, the result will most infallibly
be, that that country which obtains, and which can obtain, the
earliest commercial information, will, in time, become the greatest
and most prosperous commercial country.
It is, in fact, quite impossible that the commercial interests of any
country can ever compete with the commercial interests of another
country, unless the one have equally rapid, frequent, and regular
opportunities and means of correspondence and conveyance with the
other. If the merchants of other countries have quicker and more
frequent communications with any particular quarter of the world, than
the merchants of the United Kingdom have, it is obvious that the
former will obtain a decided advantage over the latter, in regulating
and directing all commercial transactions.
The foreign trade of Great Britain, besides forming an immense moving
power for giving activity to every branch of internal industry, trade,
and commerce, becomes also, from the correspondence to which it (p. 004)
gives rise, and by which it can alone be carried on, an immense and
direct source of Post-office revenue: but the direct postage derived
from the correspondence required in the foreign trade, great as it is,
is small when compared to the addition which the correspondence in the
foreign trade directly and immediately gives to the internal postages
of the kingdom. If it is examined narrowly, it will, it is not
doubted, be found that almost every letter of the moiety of those
which come from the British transmarine possessions, and from other
foreign parts, whether by packets or by merchant ships, (of the
latter, it may be said, a number equal to the whole which pay postage
do, because the very great number of letters directed to consignees
come free,) produces, perhaps, _ten letters_, on which the largest
single internal postages are charged and paid. This arises from orders
sent to different places to tradesmen, mechanical and manufacturing
establishments for goods; orders for insurance; invoices sent;
payments, in consequence, by bills or orders, and in bills transmitted
for acceptances, &c. &c.
In all mail communications, such as those which are about to be
considered, the point to be kept steadily in view, and one which is
absolutely indispensable, is to connect and to bring the return mails
and the outward together, in such a manner as that every intermediate
place shall have the full benefit of both, without trenching upon the
general interests, or occasioning any unnecessary detention or delay.
This great and essential point is more particularly necessary to be
attended to in the conveyance of mails by sea to distant parts,
especially if conveyed by steam. In the quarters about to be noticed,
the point alluded to will be shown to be more than in any other
quarter necessary. Without this is effected, nothing beneficial is, in
fact, effected; and to secure the object, a commanding power is
obviously and indispensably necessary. For various reasons, which it
is considered unnecessary here to state, steamers of 250-horse power
each, will be found to be the best and most economical class of
vessels to employ in the service contemplated.
The next and a still more important point to attend to, and to (p. 005)
keep in mind, is to have always in readiness, and at well-selected
stations, a sufficient quantity of coals to supply each boat: without
such are at command, no movement can take place; and unless the supply
is ample, and always at hand, no regular communication can ever be
carried on. Wood, indeed, may be procured in some stations in the West
Indies, but not in all; while even where it can be obtained, it will
be found to be dearer than coal. The quantity also necessary for a
vessel of large power, and for a voyage of any considerable length,
would far exceed the room that could be afforded, in a vessel of
properly regulated tonnage. A supply of coals, moreover, could be had
at all the places to be brought into notice by care, and foresight, at
moderate rates, and at the rates taken in the subsequent calculations.
Merchant vessels, bound to all quarters, so soon as they perceived
that they were sure of a market, would take a proportion of coals as
ballast; and others would be glad to take a portion even beyond that,
to aid them in completing their cargoes, instead of remaining, as
vessels both at Liverpool, Glasgow, &c. frequently do, some time, till
they can obtain a sufficient quantity of goods to enable them to do
so: while such vessels could at all times furnish in this way a
sufficient supply of coals, at moderate rates, and still afford to
them a fair profit; such assistance in loading, by enabling vessels to
sail at short and regularly stated periods, would become of the most
essential service to the commercial interests of this country.
The time hitherto occupied by steamers in taking in coals, in almost
every place, has constituted of itself a considerable drawback on
steam navigation: it may, to a great extent, be avoided. Let
carriages, such as are used on the railroads for carrying coals at
Newcastle, &c. be constructed with iron handles. These may be made to
hold one and a half, or two tons of coals (either of these weights, it
is supposed, might be hoisted into a vessel without difficulty), and
be all filled and placed on a raft or punt ready at each depôt, thirty
to sixty in number, according to its importance, awaiting the arrival
of the packet steamer. The moment she comes into port, the punt will
be alongside, and the whole will be hoisted in in a few hours, the
place for receiving them being always, and during the voyage, (p. 006)
prepared for them. In this way 120 tons of coals may be taken in
within a very short space of time; the buckets first emptied,
refilled, and emptied again, to a considerable extent, in a period of
no great additional time. At smaller depôts and ports, the steamer
might hoist in thirty or forty tons of coals during her shorter time
of stoppage; and thus steamers, without any material delay, would
always have a sufficient and certain supply of fuel. The coals at all
the depôts should be well covered and protected from the sun.
Further, on this head, most of the small coal (the best) which goes to
waste at the depôts, may be saved by the following simple
process:--Let it be mixed with a little clay, considerably diluted,
then made into small balls, and afterwards dried in the sun (a rapid
process within the tropics), and then taken on board with the others
when wanted. It burns with great force. It is so used on estates in
the West Indies for Stills. The saving is great, and the labour of
making it up exceedingly light. A child may almost perform it.
It is necessary to observe, that steam-boats for the torrid zone must
be fitted up and out in a manner considerably different, more
especially in their hatches, from the best and most splendid boats in
this country. For the convenience and health of both the passengers
and crews, those for the torrid zone must, in every part, be more
roomy and airy, yet so constructed as to be closed in the speediest
and securest manner in the event of a hurricane; consequently they
will require less expense in building, and fitting up of cabins, &c.
than the crack boats in this country, in order to make them so.
In all the distances stated, there are, be it observed, included in
the time allowed, three or four hours to land and take in mails and
passengers at every place where the steamers may have to touch; and at
the more important stations, at least six hours beyond the longer
periods allowed for stoppages for coals and mails, &c. It will be
necessary to give six or eight hours at Barbadoes before the departure
of the steamer, that Government despatches may be forwarded. In fact,
the steamer should always, and only leave that island at sun-rise on
the day following that whereon the packet arrived from England, (p. 007)
because by doing so, it would reach St. Thomas at daybreak on the
second morning (the navigation at that island is rather dangerous
during the night), clear it, and reach St. John's, Porto Rico, with
daylight, and in consequence Cape Nichola in daylight also, on the
second day thereafter.
The old _Galatea_ frigate might be carried up from Jamaica and moored
at Cape Nichola Mole, on board of which those mails and specie may be
deposited, that require to be disembarked from such steamers, &c., as
cannot be detained till the packet arrives to receive them. This,
however, will seldom be the case, nor to any great extent; as the
homeward-bound packet, whether steamer or sailing-vessel, will almost
always be at Cape Nichola before the steamer gets up from the leeward.
She may also be used to hold coals for a supply for the steamer to a
certain extent.
Let the fact be urged in the strongest manner, that a communication
once a month, to any given place, will never pay, nor answer any great
or good purpose. Mails, or rather letters and passengers, will not
wait for such a length of time, especially when these could, as for
example from the Havannah, almost be in England, by way of New York,
in the interval that would elapse between the departure of one packet
and another, when there was only one packet in the month; but give two
each month, and neither could ever be so.
The arrangements, and the extent of the internal Post-office
establishments of Great Britain, are upon the most splendid and
efficient footing. There is nothing of a similar kind in any other
country, either in management, or combination, or regularity, that can
equal or even be compared to them. It is, however, much otherwise with
all her transmarine mail communications. They are all particularly
deficient in combination, limited in their operations, and inefficient
as regards the machinery employed to carry the mails. This, in a more
particular manner, is the case with the West Indies: the small sailing
vessels there employed are generally very unfit for such a service,
and the steamers sent out to work them, with the exception of the _Flamer_,
being only of 100-horse power, and besides badly constructed, are (p. 008)
wholly unfit for the service in any way; and even the vessel named,
which is 140-horse power, though much superior to any of the other
three, the _Carron_, the _Echo_, and the _Albyn_, is still too small
to perform her work in proper and reasonable time, or to stem the
currents and trade winds, to say nothing of tempests, which, as
regards the two former, constantly prevail in the seas in that quarter
of the world.
It may also be remarked, that to extend or to add to the number of
post communications, does not add proportionally to the machinery
necessary for the conveyance of these: in other words, if the
communications are doubled in number, the machinery used for
conveyance is not necessarily doubled, nor the expense consequently
doubled. Take, for example, the station between Barbadoes and Jamaica:
with two mails each month, this could not be effected with fewer than
three steam-boats; but the same number of steamers will, without
inconvenience, extend the communication to Havannah, and take in, at
the same time, several important places extra. A judicious and proper
combination and regularity in all movements can, with the same
machinery, and with but little additional expense, perform, in some
instances double, and in many instances nearly double work.
The objects for making Fayal, in the Western Islands, a central point
of communication, are as follow:--First, it is directly in the course
for the West Indies; so nearly so for Rio de Janeiro in the outward
voyage (in the homeward it is the best course), that if not actually
the best course, as it is believed it really is, the deviation, as
will afterwards more clearly appear, is not worth taking into account.
It is also the proper course for New York, and even not much out of
the way from the direct line to Halifax; while, considering the winds
and currents, the Gulf stream, for example, which prevail in the
Atlantic, steamers or sailing packets will make the voyage from
Falmouth to Halifax by this route as speedily, on an average, as if
they were to take the direct course. It is well known, that vessels
bound to the northern ports of the United States, go much to the southward
of the Western Islands. Secondly, it will save two steam-boats on (p. 009)
the North American line, and two more on the South American line, for
that distance (not fewer than two would do for each line); which, with
coals, yearly, would cost 41,600_l._ This, alone, ought to determine
the point.
These steam-packets should be allowed to carry parcels, packages, and
light and fine goods, which could afford to pay a considerable
freight. This ought to be limited, however, not to exceed forty tons
in each vessel on each of the great lines (except Falmouth to Fayal,
which may be 120); and the small sailing vessels in proportion. These
things, without retarding the speed materially, would produce a
considerable return, but from which must come port charges, &c. If the
steamers are allowed to become mere vessels of freight, or for
carriage of goods, no regularity in their voyages could be expected.
To avoid delay, these articles could be landed and taken to the
Custom-house in every island and place, and delivered thence, under
the Revenue laws, to each owner.
The greater extent to which combination can be carried on in the mail
circle, and the wider that that circle can be extended, so much
cheaper the labour of conveyance becomes, and the greater the returns
therefrom. Further, not merely the greatest possible speed, but the
greatest possible regularity, is the desiderata in the conveyance of
mails in any country: the latter, in particular, is more essentially
necessary than the former, and is, in fact, the life-spring of all
commercial communication.
The work to be performed, in every quarter, must not only be well
done, but done within a limited time, in order to render it beneficial
and effective. Powerful boats, that can overcome the distance and the
natural obstacles that present themselves, can alone do this.
Small-power boats can never accomplish the work. Numbers will not
overcome the difficulties, nor come, as regards time, within the
limits required.
Each packet steamer on each of the great lines, could and should return
unto Falmouth alternately, and the boats from Falmouth be prepared
to take the longer voyage in their stead. The time each will have
to stop at Falmouth will always allow of time for any material (p. 010)
examination and the repairs that may be necessary.
Without actual experience it is impossible to place before the public,
in a correct point of view, the whole appearance and state of steamers
employed in the West Indian mail service, as seen last year--when the
whole extent of their voyages was travelled over in more than one of
them:--imagine a small ill-contrived boat, an old 10-gun brig, as the
_Carron_ is, for example, of 100-horse power, and thirty to forty tons
of coals on her deck; with a cabin about thirteen feet by ten, and an
after-cabin still smaller, both without any means of ventilation,
except what two ill-planned, narrow and miserable hatches, when open,
afford. Imagine a vessel like this starting from Jamaica, with ten or
fifteen passengers, and a crew of thirty-seven people, still more
miserably provided with room and quarters, to stem the currents, the
trade winds--(not to speak of storms,)--which blow, and the heavy seas
which roll, between that island and St. Thomas, especially in the
channel between the former and St. Domingo, and indeed in all the West
Indies: having the boiler immediately adjoining the cabin and sleeping
berths, and without any place to stow the luggage belonging to the
passengers,--and with the numerous mail bags crammed into the small
sleeping berths, or under the table,--and the public will have a faint
idea of a Government steam-boat; wherein, under a tropical sun and a
tropical rain, the passengers and crews are, with the hatches closed,
reduced to the choice, while choked with coal-dust, of being broiled
or suffocated. No human constitution can long stand this. Without
meaning any offence, truth must declare, that such a state of things
is a disgrace to England.
The most urgent haste and necessity can alone bring individuals to
travel by such conveyances, and none will do so whose time will allow
them to look for other modes of conveyance and transport. Female
passengers, in particular, without female attendants, or room for
them, will never willingly undertake, certainly never repeat, a voyage
under such circumstances. It would seem that, in this respect, the
vessels belonging to the most powerful, enlightened, and civilized
Government in the world, are to be placed far below the level of (p. 011)
vessels belonging to their own subjects, and those of other nations;
although such vessels are expressly appointed to convey passengers.
With these preliminary observations, it is proposed to consider the
details of a plan for the more extended conveyance of mails by
steam-boats, first to the WESTERN WORLD, under the separate heads into
which such a plan, necessarily and properly divides itself. In doing
this, it will satisfactorily appear that the more the plan is
extended, the less in proportion will the expenses attending the same
be, and the greater the returns be therefrom.
I. (p. 012)
_Falmouth and Madeira, or one of the Western Islands, Department._
Either of the islands just named may be made central points of the
greatest importance for connecting the mail communications between
Great Britain and all the Western World. The Western Islands, however,
become a central point, more direct and convenient than Madeira, for
all the outward and homeward West Indian packets, and still more so
for all those which may be bound for New York and British North
America. In short, the packets for neither of the latter places could
go or come by Madeira without great inconvenience and loss of time;
whereas, neither would take place if Fayal is made the point of
arrival at and departure from. The latter island is directly in the
course of both the West Indian and homeward-bound South American
packets; and it may be said with equal accuracy, in the outward direct
course of these packets also. Although a little further removed into
the variable winds than Madeira, still it is well known that Fayal
once made, the greatest difficulties in the voyages of the
outward-bound packets are overcome. The distance, also, from Falmouth
to either of these islands is not materially different: from Falmouth
to Madeira direct, is 1170 geographical miles; and from Falmouth to
Fayal direct, 1230 miles. In the outward voyage Fayal is 300 miles
nearer Barbadoes than Madeira; and in the homeward, from Cape Nichola
Mole, 300 also. The distance between Madeira and Rio de Janeiro, and
between the latter and Fayal, is not greatly different, being (taking
in Bahia and Pernambuco) for the latter 3900 miles, and for the former
3800; but from the course which the homeward packet must take through
the trades, the distance to Madeira, as compared with the distance (p. 013)
and course to Fayal, would be increased by 250 miles. On the whole,
considering the advantages and disadvantages to arise from making
either of these islands, viz., Madeira and Fayal, the central points,
it would appear that the balance would considerably incline to be in
favour of any one of the central Azores, say Falmouth and Terceira or
Fayal. Fayal being taken as the central point to which and from which
the packets for the western world are to converge and to diverge, the
arrangements will run as follow:--
The steam-boats from Falmouth to Fayal would carry out all the mails
from Great Britain to the Western World; viz.: for British North
America, for New York, for the British West Indies and all the Gulf of
Mexico, and for the Brazils and Buenos Ayres, as also for Madeira and
Teneriffe. From Falmouth to Fayal is, course S. 55° W. distance 1230
geographical miles. Two steam-boats of 240-horse power each would
perform this work out and home, giving two mails each month, each boat
returning with the mails for Great Britain from all the places
mentioned, to be brought to that island in a manner which will shortly
and more particularly be pointed out. In fine weather each boat would
make the voyage within six days, and in rough weather in seven
days,--but say seven days at an average. Each boat would be at sea 14
days each voyage = 28 days monthly = 336 days yearly; 25 tons of coal
per day = 8400 tons yearly; which, at 20_s._ per ton, is 8400_l._
annually. The yearly cost of the two boats for this station would
therefore be: (prime cost of two, 48,000_l._)--
Two boats' wages and provisions, &c., at £6200. 12,400
Coals for do., yearly 8,400
-------
Total £20,800
-------
The stoppage at Fayal would depend upon the arrival of the packets
with the mails from the Brazils, the West Indies, &c. &c., but the
arrangements for all these will be such as will bring the stoppage not
to exceed one or two days, and which will prove no more than sufficient
to take in coals, water, &c. &c. Despatched from London on the 1st and
15th day of each month, the steamers from Falmouth, with all the (p. 014)
mails, would reach Fayal on the 10th and 25th of each month, from
whence they would immediately be despatched to their ulterior
destinations. By this arrangement Government would save at least three
West Indian or Barbadoes packets, one Halifax and one Rio de Janeiro
packet (exclusive of six Mexican packets saved, but included in the
West Indian department), after giving to the two quarters of America
last mentioned two mails instead of one each month, and which saving
would, at least, be 21,000_l._ yearly. The voyages also from England
to every quarter connected with this arrangement would be greatly
shortened, even were the communications by steam to be carried no
farther; as every nautical man knows well that it is between the
Western Islands and the English Channel, whether outwards or inwards,
that the greatest detention in every voyage, whether it regards
packets or any other vessels, takes place. In a particular manner the
arrival of the outward packets at Barbadoes would be more regular,
almost quite regular; and thus _extra_ steam-boats in that quarter, on
account of the irregularities in the arrivals as under the present
system, would be rendered unnecessary; and the same thing may be said
of every other quarter to which the plan and the chain of
communication is intended to extend.
_Fayal._[1]
[Footnote 1: The Island of Fayal is chosen as the
point of communication in preference to Terceira,
&c. because during the few months when one side is
exposed to storms, the other side is well
sheltered, and the distance is very short from the
one side to the anchorage on the other. As each of
the steamers from the westward and southward will
proceed to Falmouth in her turn, so if all the
mails are up at Fayal before the outward steamer
arrives from Falmouth, the steamer whose turn it is
to proceed on to Falmouth, will go forward with the
mails without any delay, except to take in coals.]
All the outward mails from Great Britain to the western world, having
reached Fayal, they would be despatched from thence and return back to
it, under the following arrangements and regulations. Take them in
order as follow:--
II. (p. 015)
_Fayal and North America._
The rising importance of British America renders it highly desirable,
nay, absolutely necessary, that a more frequent and regular post
communication should be established with it. This might be done so as
to secure all the Post-office revenue derivable from the letters to
and from that quarter of the empire with Great Britain; and not only
so, but to draw from the United States unto England some of that
postage and some of those passengers which belong specifically to
those States. To carry this into effect, it must be done by
steam-boats, and Fayal made the point of communication from which the
mails are to diverge, and to which they are again to return. The point
of communication with Fayal should be either by Halifax to New York,
or to Halifax alone; from which place the steamer to run to the West
Indies could carry the European mails to and from New York. In each
way the details will be as follow:--
_Fayal to New York, by Halifax._
From Fayal to New York direct is 2020 miles; and from Fayal to New
York, by Halifax, is 2160 miles. If this course is adopted, there
would be no need for any stoppages at Halifax, except to land the
outward mails, &c., and pick up the inward, or homeward-bound European
mails, &c. The steamers, with the outward mails on board, would
proceed from Fayal on the 10th and 25th of each month, and reach New
York, by Halifax, on the 7th and 23d of each month, or in thirteen
days. Leaving New York on the evening of the 9th or 10th, and the 25th
or 26th of the month, with the return mails from the States, and
calling at Halifax for all those from British America, the steamer
would reach Fayal in thirteen days, or on the 8th and 23d of each
month, exactly in time, as will by-and-by be shown, for the
homeward-bound West Indian and Brazil mails coming up to the same
place; and two days previous to the arrival of the outward packet (p. 016)
from Falmouth, after allowing two days to stop at New York, and having
one day to spare, in the event of severe weather on the voyage. The
course and time will be:--
Geo. Miles. Days.
Fayal to Halifax 1640 10
Halifax to New York 520 3
Stop at New York " 2
New York to Fayal, by Halifax 2160 13
----------
Totals 4320 28
----------
Two steam-boats would perform this work, giving two mails each month,
prime cost 48,000_l._; wages, provisions, &c. &c. 6200_l._ each,
12,400_l._ Each boat would be at sea 26 and 26 = 52 days, monthly =
624 yearly; 25 tons of coals daily = 15,000 yearly, at 25_s._ per ton,
19,500_l._
This would, however, be close work for two boats, in the event of
accidents; and therefore a spare boat would be required, at an
additional expense of 24,000_l._ capital, and 6200_l._ yearly charges.
But two may be rendered quite sufficient by making Halifax, instead of
New York, the point of communication between Fayal and British North
America; the communication with New York to be taken up, and carried
on, by the steamers proposed to run between North America and the West
Indies, as explained and stated under the next head. Fixing the
communications in this way, the details, or the course and time, would
be:--
Geo. Miles. Days.
Fayal to Halifax 1640 10
Rest there, say " 8
Halifax to Fayal 1640 10
-----------
Totals 3280 28
-----------
Two boats would be quite sufficient to perform this service, and the
advantage would be gained of having a British port as the port for
trans-shipment. Each boat would be at sea 10 and 10 = 20 days each
voyage = 40 monthly = 480 yearly; coals, 25 tons daily = 12,000 (p. 017)
tons yearly, at 25_s._ = 15,000_l._ The periods for the arrivals and
departures of these Halifax and Fayal steamers will be found to agree
well with the arrivals and departures of the steamers to run between
Halifax and the West Indies, by way of New York, as minutely
particularized under the next head.
Halifax ought to be made the point from which, and to which, all the
British North American, foreign, that is, transmarine correspondence,
ought to converge and diverge. It can be made to do so readily, and
with advantage, as the following distances will show:--
Distance. Geo. Miles.
New York to Quebec N. 19° East. 390
New York to Montreal N. 4° E. 305
Halifax to St. John's, by Annapolis N. 71° W. 111
St. John's to Quebec N. 66° W. 230
Quebec to Montreal S. 58° W. 116
Thus it is obvious that Halifax is nearer England three and a half
days each way than New York; that much time would, by the above course
of post, between the mother country and all her North American
possessions, be saved, while all the advantages of carrying these
mails and passengers, &c. would be gained by British shipping and
British subjects.
The communications could be carried on between Fayal and Halifax, &c.
by sailing packets instead of steam vessels; but then these sailing
packets, on account of the number of passengers which it is almost
certain would travel by them, would require to be packets of the
largest size, or first class. Their average voyages may be taken at
sixteen days each, with six or eight to stop at Halifax, which would
bring the full voyage to forty days. This would throw the return
letters always one mail, or fifteen days, later for Europe, than if
steamers were employed; but, at the same time, it would bring their
arrival at Fayal to be regular, and in sufficient time for the
succeeding homeward packet from Fayal; for, if they go beyond thirty
days, their return within forty-five days, _in this or in any other
station_, would meet the central point at Fayal equally well, as to
dates; but such a detention would not only occasion so much loss (p. 018)
of time to the course of correspondence, but give letters a chance of
reaching Europe sooner from New York direct. Two sailing packets would
perform this work in the unavoidably extended time mentioned, giving
two mails each month; first cost 9,500_l._ = 19,000_l._; yearly
charges 4200_l._ each = 8400_l._
III.
_North America and West Indies._
The intercourse between these quarters of the world, and also of each
of these with the United States, is already of great importance, and
will daily become more and more important, while there is, at present,
no mail communication between them. A regular, and frequent mail
communication in that quarter has become indispensably necessary.
While this fact must be admitted, it is of great importance to have as
many of the points of combination under the British flag as possible.
Keeping this desirable point in view, it is necessary to observe, that
this must be done, taking Havannah into the line; because, if it is
not included in the British line, it will be forthwith occupied by
parties from the United States, and letters, passengers, &c. both for
all North America and for Europe, from the West Indies, will go by
these States, New York for example. The arrivals and departures of the
steam packets on this line must also be calculated, and fixed so as to
agree with the arrivals and departures of the outward and
homeward-bound mails by Fayal, for North America, and also for all the
West Indies, southwards to Havannah and Mexico.
The desirable object of bringing the most important central and
trans-shipping points under the British flag, can only be gained by
making in this case the run of the steamers to be from Halifax, by New
York, to the Havannah; or from New York, by Havannah, to Jamaica.
While the various ways by which this latter could be effected are (p. 019)
here stated, still the former will be found to be the most economical,
certainly not the most inconvenient, and, on many accounts, the
preferable mode. At Havannah the North American steamer would meet in
the most regular manner, and to a day, the steamers from Havannah to
Vera Cruz; and from Havannah to Jamaica, Barbadoes, &c. &c. The route
and time of these boats would be as follows:--
Geo. Miles. Days.
Halifax to New York 520 3-1/2
New York to Havannah 1140 6-1/2
Stop at Havannah, say 2
Havannah to Halifax, by New York. 1660 10
---- ------
Totals 3320 22
Two powerful boats would be perfectly sufficient to perform this work,
giving two mails each month; first cost 48,000_l._, yearly charges
12,400_l._ Each boat would be at sea 20 days each voyage = 40 monthly
= 480 yearly; coals daily, 25 tons = 12,000 tons yearly, at 25_s._ =
15,000_l._
The outward European mails would arrive at Halifax on the 20th and the
4th or 5th of every month, and at Havannah on the 31st or 1st, and
15th or 16th of each month. Leaving Halifax on the days above
mentioned, the steamers, by way of New York, would reach Havannah on
the 30th and 15th of each month, and, allowing two days at Havannah,
return to Halifax by way of New York, on the 14th and 29th, eight days
before the arrival there of the outward European packet, giving
abundance of time to rest. This steamer will bring back from New York
the answers to the letters received from Europe for the return packet
from Halifax to Fayal. These letters would reach New York on the 23d
and 8th of each month. The stoppage at New York by this steamer
returning northward could not be beyond one or two days. To meet the
West Indian and South American packets returning to the central point,
Fayal, the steamer, with all the North American correspondence, must
leave Halifax on the 29th or 30th, and the 13th or 14th of each month.
Considering attentively the calculations here made, it will be (p. 020)
found that they correspond accurately, and that in practice these
will work admirably, and without confusion or delay--points, in an
affair of this kind, of the greatest importance.
The other plan, by which the communication between North America and
the West Indies can be opened up and carried on, is between New York
and Jamaica, by the Havannah. After considering it, in all its
bearings and details, the former will appear to be the most economical
and eligible. Calculating the whole of the General Plan to be carried
into effect, and by steam, the outward mails from Europe, _via_ Fayal
and Halifax, would arrive at New York on the 7th or 22d, or the 8th
and 23d, of each month; and those for the West Indies, _via_ Fayal and
Barbadoes, at Cape Nichola Mole, Hayti, on the 11th and 27th, or 12th
and 27th, and at Jamaica on the 13th and 28th of each month. The mails
from the westward and southward of, and for Jamaica, would
consequently return to that island on the 7th and 22d of each month.
The distances and time taken in three ways between Jamaica and New
York, by Havannah, would be--
(No. 1.)
Geo. Miles. Days.
New York to Havannah 1140 6-1/2
Havannah by Matanzas, to St. Jago de Cuba 630 4
St. Jago de Cuba to Kingston, Jamaica 170 1
Jamaica " 2
Jamaica to Cape Nichola Mole, by St. Jago 305 2
Cape Nichola to Havannah, by Matanzas 540 3
Havannah, Coals, &c. " 1
Havannah to New York 1140 6-1/2
----- ------
Totals 3925 26
(No. 2.)
Geo. Miles. Days.
New York to Havannah, by Matanzas 1140 6-1/2
Havannah, Coals " 1
Havannah to Jamaica, round Cape Antonio 685 4
Jamaica, Coals, Mails, &c. " 2
Jamaica to Havannah, by Cape Antonio 685 3 (p. 021)
Havannah, Coals " 1
Havannah to New York, by Matanzas 1140 6-1/2
---- -------
Totals 3650 24
---- -------
(No. 3.)
Geo. Miles. Days.
New York to Havannah, by Matanzas 1140 6-1/2
Havannah, Coals " 1
Havannah to Jamaica, round Cape Antonio 685 4
Jamaica, Coals, Mails, &c. " 2
Jamaica to Cape Nichola Mole, by St. Jago 305 2
Cape Nichola Mole to Havannah, by Matanzas 540 3
Havannah, Coals " 1
Havannah to New York 1140 6-1/2
---- ------
Totals 3810 26
---- ------
The latter route (No. 3,) will, for various reasons, be the preferable
course. First, because while it embraces Havannah in the line, it
renders it unnecessary for the steamers to run twice over the same
ground that others do. Secondly, the steamer from Jamaica for the
eastward being able to leave that island, with all the return Colonial
mails from the westward and southward for North America, &c., at the
times, or in the space of time, mentioned, would reach Cape Nichola
Mole just in time to meet the downward steamer from Barbadoes, with
all the Colonial mails to the eastward of that place for North
America; and, consequently, could take in and proceed with these mails
without delay; and it might, at the same time, take in not only the
eastern Colonial mails for Matanzas and Havannah, but the outward
European mails for these places also, by which means these towns would
receive these two or three days earlier than they could by Jamaica.
The Mexican mails might also be forwarded in the same way; but to do
so would be of little use, inasmuch as the steamer for Vera Cruz could
not leave Havannah until the steamer from Jamaica arrived.
Taking route No. 3 as the lines of communication between Jamaica (p. 022)
and North America, then the arrivals at Jamaica would be on the 5th
and the 20th of each month; and, allowing two days to stop at Havannah
outwards instead of _one_ day, and _three_ days at Jamaica instead of
two, the return steamers would leave Jamaica on the 8th and 23d of
each month, and reach Cape Nichola Mole on the 25th and 10th, which
place the steamer from Barbadoes reaches on the 11th and 27th, and the
Havannah and Chagres steamers return to Jamaica on the 7th and 22d of
each month; thus combining every movement requisite in a very clear
and satisfactory manner.
The steamers on this route or station would be each 22 and 22 = 44
days each month = 528 days yearly at sea; coals, at 25 tons daily =
13,200 tons, at 25_s._ per ton = 16,500_l._; which is 1500_l._ more
than the other. Moreover, the steamers (two) would be so closely
pressed for time as not to have the necessary rest for examination and
repairs, and consequently a third would be requisite, which would
increase the capital 24,000_l._, and yearly charges 6200_l._ above the
other plan.
The mails on this station may, moreover, be carried by sailing
packets. By this mode of conveyance, however, the mails would be
longer on their voyages; those to and from Halifax, &c., being always
thrown behind one return mail for the steamer to and from Fayal with
the mail for Great Britain, and consequently be obliged to wait at
Halifax or New York for a succeeding one--but for which, however, they
would always be in ample time. The course and time by sailing packets
would be--
Geo. Miles. Days.
Halifax to New York 520 5-1/2
New York to Havannah 1140 10
Stop at Havannah, say 2
Havannah to Halifax, by New York 1660 15-1/2
---- ------
Totals 3320 33
---- ------
which will allow abundance of time to stop at New York, going and
returning, and for meeting every possible contingency which may occur
in the voyage; as, if within forty-five days, it would be in time (p. 023)
to meet the corresponding packets to and from Europe. Two sailing
packets would be sufficient to perform this work, giving two mails
each month; prime cost, 9500_l._ each = 19,000_l._ and yearly charges
4200_l._ each, or 8400_l._ It may here be observed, that if all the
mails were carried by sailing packets on the four great lines, that
the times of their arrivals and departures would still connect and
combine properly, but, as has already been remarked, be always fifteen
days later in the course of the mails between the places mentioned
than if these were carried wholly and everywhere by steam.
IV.
_Fayal and Brazil Department._
From Fayal steamers would proceed direct to Rio de Janeiro, calling at
Pernambuco and Bahia, and landing at the former place the mail for
Maranham, to be carried forward to that place, and brought back to
Pernambuco, to meet the steamer on her return to the northward, by a
good sailing vessel. The distance is 670 miles, which could be
performed in four days and six days, backwards and forwards. At Rio de
Janeiro the steamer will land the mails for Buenos Ayres and
Montevideo, which will be carried forward by sailing vessels to the
former place (distance 1060 geographical miles), and return from
Buenos Ayres, by Montevideo, to Rio de Janeiro, the same distance, say
in seventeen days, and in time to catch the following homeward-bound
packet. One sailing vessel would be sufficient for the Pernambuco and
Maranham station, and two of a superior class as at present for the
Rio de Janeiro and Buenos Ayres department; for, at the outset, steam
would be too expensive on the latter station, while it would take the
homeward-bound packet too far out of her way to make her call at
Maranham.
From Rio de Janeiro the steamer will proceed for Fayal, calling at
Bahia and Pernambuco (distant from Rio 1000 miles), taking in the (p. 024)
Maranham mail at the latter place, stopping one day there for a supply
of coals, and then proceeding, reach Fayal in twenty days--including
stoppages, forty-five days forwards and backwards--and which,
accordingly, would bring the Brazil mails to Fayal to correspond with
the arrival there of the steamers from both the West Indies and
Halifax. The mails from the Brazils would, in this way, reach Fayal on
the 10th and 25th of the month. The route and time of these steamers
would be as follows:--
Miles. Days.
Fayal to Rio Janeiro 3900 19
Rio de Janeiro to Fayal 3900 20
Stop at Rio " 2
Do. at Pernambuco, &c., twice " 4
---- --
Totals 7800 45
---- --
Three steamers would perform this work in the time specified, giving
two mails each month. Each boat would be actively employed, or at sea,
39 days each voyage = 78 monthly = 936 yearly; coals, at 25 tons daily
= 23,400 tons yearly--which, at _25s_. per ton, will amount to
29,250_l._ Other charges, 18,600_l._
The mails on this station might also be carried by sailing packets,
and at much less expense, but the time occupied would be considerably
lengthened. Such sailing packets from Fayal to Rio de Janeiro would,
both in going and returning, pursue the same course that the present
packets do. The distance each way would be the same, and not
materially different from the course which the steamers would take.
The time occupied would be, twenty-seven days out, twenty-nine days
back, and four days to stop at Rio, &c.; in all sixty days. Four
packets would perform this service, giving two mails each month. The
cost of these packets would be 38,000_l._, and their annual charges at
4200_l._ each = 16,800_l._ In the event of accidents, however, either
on this or on the West Indian station, one spare packet would be
necessary, and require to be stationed at Fayal: this would increase
the capital laid out to 47,500_l._, and the yearly charge to 21,000_l._
Four packets on this station would, in fact, under this (p. 025)
arrangement, give two mails each month; whereas, under the existing
arrangements, it requires five or six to give one mail each month. In
a few days, after leaving Fayal, it is well known that both the Brazil
and West Indian packets would be into the trade winds when
outward-bound; after which, the voyage is certain and secure. In like
manner in returning, after getting clear of the trade winds, the
Brazil, in about long. 38°, and the West Indian, from Cape Nichola
Mole, in about long. 70° W., each could steer to the eastward for
Fayal, with almost certainly southerly winds, and at all seasons of
the year, in weather comparatively mild to that which is met with in
more northern parallels.
By steam-boats the course of communication between Great Britain and
Rio de Janeiro would be reduced to sixty days, and by sailing vessels,
from Fayal to that place, to seventy-five days, making fifteen days
more by the latter than by the former; but it may, however, here be
observed, that arriving so much later at Fayal, would still equally
correspond with the arrival of the West Indian and North American
sailing packets at that place.
V.
_Fayal and Madeira, &c. Station._
Under the proposed general arrangement, the mails for Madeira and
Teneriffe could be sent twice each month from Fayal. Madeira and
Teneriffe, but more especially the former, have a good deal of
correspondence with the West Indies; all of which would be thrown into
a more tedious and circuitous route if the communications with Madeira
did not go and come by the Azores. The distance from Fayal to Madeira
is 630 miles, and from Madeira to Teneriffe 240 miles. One superior
sailing vessel would be sufficient to perform this work, giving two
mails each month. It is well known that from the winds which
generally prevail in those parts of the Atlantic, that a swift (p. 026)
sailing vessel would almost always make quick and certain passages.
The cost of such might be 1500_l._, and the yearly expense, say
800_l._ The expense for sailing vessels on this and the South American
station may be taken as follows:--
Capital. Yearly Charge.
Fayal and Madeira, one £1500 £800
Pernambuco and Maranham, one 1500 800
Rio de Janeiro and Buenos Ayres, two 4000 2000
----- -----
Totals £7000 £3600
----- -----
From Fayal to Teneriffe, by Madeira, and back, a sailing vessel could
complete the passage in fourteen days, and thus be always in time for
the next return steamer from Fayal to Falmouth.
VI.
_Fayal and Barbadoes Station._
On the arrival of the steamer from Falmouth at Fayal, another steamer
would start for Barbadoes, carrying with it all the mails for every
place in the western Tropical World, from Demerara to Vera Cruz
inclusive, and also for Panama, and other places on the coasts of the
Pacific Ocean. The route from Fayal to Barbadoes is, course S. 47-1/2°
W.; distance, 2265 geographical miles. A steam-boat would perform
this, going chiefly through the trade winds, in twelve days. The
period of her return to Fayal must be regulated by the time which she
has to stop in the West Indies, and which will be more specifically
shown when that department is taken into consideration; but it cannot
be less, from Fayal to Fayal again, than forty-five days, of which
this boat will be at sea each voyage thirty-seven days. Four steamers
would do this work, having one, in fact, to spare, in the event of
accidents, either on this or on the Brazil station, and to relieve
alternately the steamers on either station; and this spare boat (p. 027)
would probably be best stationed at Fayal, or perhaps Barbadoes. Three
boats would, therefore, be actively engaged in performing the work
alluded to on this station; each would be at sea 37 days each
voyage--74 monthly, 888 yearly, which, at 25 tons of coals daily, will
require 22,200 tons annually--at 25_s._ per ton, will amount to
27,750_l._
The time and course of these boats will be more specifically stated
under the West Indian head.
The cost would be thus:--
Capital. Yearly Charge.
Four Steamers £96,000 £24,800
Coals 27,750
-------
Yearly charges £52,550
-------
The mails, also, on this station, might be carried by sailing packets,
and which would require to be of the very first class. Their time from
Fayal to Fayal again, would be, say nineteen days to Barbadoes;
seventeen days to stop in the Colonies; and twenty-four days from Cape
Nichola Mole to Fayal (2600 miles), together sixty days; and which
brings the return of this sailing vessel to Fayal to correspond with
the arrival of the packets from Falmouth, and of the mails from South
America, and from North America, at that place. Four packets would be
sufficient for this station, giving two mails each month. Their cost
would be 38,000_l._, and their yearly expenses at 4,200_l._ each,
16,800_l._--considerably cheaper than steam, but lengthening, as has
been seen, the communication between Great Britain and that quarter of
the world, _fifteen_ days. A spare packet might be necessary, but the
cost of that has been included, and stated under the South American
head.
VII. (p. 028)
_The West Indian Station._
This station is one of the most important, and extensive, and
complicated of the whole, and one where steam-vessels can be employed
with the most beneficial effects. The prevailing winds and currents,
however, render it necessary that the vessels employed should be of
high power, in order to enable them to stem those winds and currents.
Into the Gulf of Mexico, through the Windward islands, sets; first,
the equatorial current; secondly, the prodigious current occasioned by
the influx of the waters of the great river Maranon, and of the
several rivers which flow through British, Dutch, and French Guiana;
thirdly, the current occasioned by the influx of the waters of the
great river Oronoque, through the Gulf of Paria, between the island of
Trinidad and the mainland of South America. These united waters,
directed by the trade winds, blowing always from the eastward,
occasion a current of such force, running westward from the Windward
Islands to the shores of Mexico, that it is frequently impossible for
the best sailing vessels to make their way through it. Steam-boats,
therefore, of at least 240-horse power, are indispensably necessary,
in order that they may not only be able to stem these winds and
currents, and carry a sufficient quantity of coals, but also to afford
spacious and well-ventilated accommodation, both for the crews
attached to them, and also the passengers which may travel by them.
Without such, neither the one nor the other could ever enjoy health,
nor could the despatches of Government, and the correspondence of
individuals, be conveyed with that celerity and regularity which these
could otherwise be, and which it is necessary that they should be.
In carrying a more general plan into effect, no reasonable or
necessary expense ought to be spared by the country. In such a general
plan it will be seen by the subsequent details, that the (p. 029)
steam-boats of the power mentioned, assisted by nine sailing schooners
(at present ten, are employed in less than half the work,) would be
sufficient to convey the mails from Barbadoes to every place of
importance in the western Tropical Archipelago, or connected with it.
This force would give two mails each month to every island and colony
from Demerara to Vera Cruz; taking in Laguayra, Carthagena, Chagres,
Honduras, the principal parts of Cuba and Porto Rico. From Demerara to
Havannah and Chagres, &c. inclusive, every colony and place would be
able to reply to the letters received from Europe, or the Colonies, by
the same packet which brought them; and still that packet remain in
the West Indies a shorter period than the packets now do.
In this department there are two stations, however, of such vital
importance, that the considerable additional expense which will be
required to place steam-boats on them from the outset, ought not to be
taken into consideration. These are, first, the station between
Jamaica and Chagres; and, secondly, the station between Jamaica, Cuba,
and Vera Cruz. The first goes to connect the Great Pacific Ocean, and
the coasts thereof, with Europe and the eastern coasts of America, and
on which former coasts a steam mail communication has been already
concerted. Through the channel from Panama to Chagres will be
concentrated, as it were, into a funnel the whole movements,
travelling and mail communications and money transactions of the
western coasts of America, from California on the north, to Valparaiso
on the south, the whole of which again must converge to and diverge
from Jamaica.[2] The second station, or that from Cuba to Vera (p. 030)
Cruz, is little inferior in importance to the other, that town and
Tampico being the great outlets of the trade and the commerce, but
more especially the outlets of specie from the kingdom or empire of
Mexico. A steamer on this station becomes indispensable, in order to
secure the safe conveyance of specie, because small sailing vessels
would be liable to be attacked and plundered by pirates. With steamers
all would be safe.
[Footnote 2: Should the Colombian Government
obstinately and ignorantly oppose the transmission
of mails across the isthmus from Chagres to Panama,
or propose to shackle this point of communication
with unreasonable and inadmissible restrictions,
then in that case there remains a point, it is
believed, more practicable, safer, and more
eligible, where the communication could be
effected, namely, in the State of Guatemala, or
Central America, by the River St. Juan's and Lake
Nicaragua, both of which are navigable for vessels
of any size. The south-west shores of the lake in
question approach to within fourteen or fifteen
miles of the Pacific, and this distance, in one
place, through a valley nearly level throughout,
and at but little elevation above the level of the
sea. From Lake Managua, or Leon, the distance to
the sea is still shorter, being, in one place,
according to good maps, not more than eight to ten
miles. From this lake also, and the capital, Leon,
the distance north-west to Rialejo, a fine port on
the Pacific, is twenty-three miles, and through an
accessible, if not very easy country. The
Government of the Republic of Guatemala, or Central
America, would doubtless be ready to afford every
facility to open such a communication, which would
prove the greatest and most certain means of
improving their country. Moreover, if a ready
communication is once afforded, from any point on
the east coast of America, in the places alluded
to, it would speedily become the object and the
interest of the Chilian, the Peruvian, and the
Mexican Governments to watch and to see that the
communication with the world to the eastward should
not only be rendered secure, but be maintained.
Also, with a communication opened in this quarter,
such as it is believed can be opened, the commerce
and communications between North America and
Europe, and New South Wales, China, and all Eastern
Asia, would most certainly, as it could most
advantageously and expeditiously, be carried on by
it.]
Two powerful steamers would be sufficient for both stations, in order
to carry two mails each month. That steamer to run between Cuba and
Vera Cruz, would always be in time with the return mails for the
following packet from Europe; while that boat which runs between
Jamaica and Chagres would, by returning immediately by the route
afterwards pointed out, always be in time for the same packet at
Jamaica. To stop at Chagres for the mails from the Pacific would not
be advisable or proper, because the arrival of these mails at Chagres
could not be calculated upon with any certainty. If at Chagres when
the outward mail arrives, good and well, they would be immediately
taken up and carried forward; but if not, then they would be brought
forward by it on the next voyage, and in time for the following
European packet.
The mails for Honduras will be most conveniently forwarded from
Montego Bay, Jamaica. With the mails for the western parts of that
island they could be landed at Savannah la Mar, and thence carried by
land with the others, about twenty-five miles, to Montego Bay. From
thence a good schooner would proceed with those for Honduras and (p. 031)
Trinidad de Cuba; and having readied Honduras, return to Montego Bay
by Trinidad de Cuba. By this arrangement, Honduras rather gains more
than by the plan first proposed, to go from Batavano; and the letters
from thence will still and always be in excellent time for the
following packet, making every allowance for casualties during the
voyage. The steamer could then proceed direct from Jamaica to
Havannah, which would save one day each voyage, besides avoiding the
difficult navigation about Batavano. The coals saved yearly would be
1100 tons, 1475_l._, which would do more than pay the expenses for an
additional schooner for the Honduras communication; for, by this
arrangement, two schooners, instead of one, will be necessary. Their
route and time would be--Montego Bay to Trinidad de Cuba, 172 miles,
1-1/2 day; Trinidad de Cuba to Honduras, 520 miles, 3-1/2 days; back
to Montego Bay by Trinidad de Cuba, 692 miles, 10 days; stop at
Honduras 3 days; in all 18 days.
Bermuda being a great naval depôt, a ready communication between it
and every part of the West Indies becomes an object of the greatest
importance. Under the general arrangement proposed, this communication
can be best effected from and with Cape Nichola Mole, Hayti; because
the downward steamer from Barbadoes, with the European and other
mails, will have passed St. Thomas before the steamer returning from
Jamaica, &c., comes up; by which means all the letters from Jamaica,
and every other place to the westward, would, were St. Thomas made the
starting point, be obliged to remain at that island till the arrival
of a following packet; whereas, starting from Cape Nichola Mole, the
mails, both from the eastward and the westward, and also those brought
from Europe, would go forward to a day. Moreover, owing to the winds
which prevail in those seas, vessels running between Cape Nichola Mole
and Bermuda would make passages equally quick, if not quicker, than
vessels running between St. Thomas and Bermuda could generally do. The
courses and distances stand thus:--
(p. 032)
Geo. Miles. Days.
St. Thomas to Bermuda. Nearly due N. 840 9
Cape Nichola Mole to do. N. 32° E. 890 10
Nassau to Bermuda N. 57° E. 800 7
Crooked Island to Bermuda 740 7
Ditto to Cape Nichola Mole S. 19° W. 146 1
Ditto to Nassau 270 1-1/2
Cape Nichola Mole to do. N. 56° W. 380 2-1/2
The communication might still, however, be from St. Thomas, the boat
destined for Bermuda stopping at that island, when this was necessary,
one day, until the boat from Jamaica came up; taking particular care
always to be back at St. Thomas, from Bermuda, before the steamers
with the outward mails from Europe came down from Barbadoes, in order
that the letters from Bermuda for Jamaica, and all places to the
westward of St. Thomas, may go forward by the steamer in question.
This department, however, for Bermuda may, it is conceived, be best
amalgamated and interwoven with the Cape Nichola Mole, Nassau, and
Crooked Island (_the Bermuda mail vessels going and returning by
Crooked Island_) department; as the practical working of the whole
scheme may point out to be most advisable.
In the event of packets arriving from England at Barbadoes within a
day or two of each other, as is sometimes the case under the existing
arrangements, then on the Barbadoes and Demerara stations, let a good
sailing vessel, on the arrival of such packet, take the place of the
steamer for the voyage. Unless, in case of calm weather, this sailing
vessel could do the work thus:--Barbadoes to Demerara, four days; stop
there two days, forwarding the mails for Berbice by land; thence with
the return mails proceed on by Tobago and St. Vincents in five days,
to the packet at Grenada, found, in such a case, either waiting one
day longer at Grenada, or else beating up to St. Vincents, there to
meet the Guiana and the Tobago mails, and which the packet has time to
do. This would occasion little irregularity or delay, because the
cause of the detention, should detention occur, would always be known.
Moreover, the season of the year when the outward packets arrive at
Barbadoes the most irregularly, is during the winter months, from (p. 033)
November to March, and in which period the calms--the greatest
obstructions, in many cases, to sailing vessels amongst the Windward
Islands--are almost unknown.
The same temporary substitute could be applied, under similar
circumstances, on the stations between Jamaica and Chagres, and
between Cuba and Vera Cruz. Even if these places were once or twice in
the year to miss a return mail to Europe, it would not be of such
great importance, because each place having then two mails every
month, the detained mail would go forward by the next opportunity,
while it would save to Government, or to a contracting company, a very
serious expense, which would otherwise be incurred if they were
obliged to have additional steamers for this _probable_ part of the
service.
Further, in the event of any accident happening to any steam-boat on
the great line from Barbadoes to Jamaica, &c., a sailing vessel could
always carry the outward mails westward, when breezes hold, with
almost the same rapidity as steamers; and in her course westward, such
a sailing vessel could scarcely fail to meet a return or a spare
steamer at some of the stations, to relieve it from proceeding
further.
Moreover, it may be observed here, once for all, that by the
conveyance of the mails from Falmouth to Barbadoes by steam, or even
only so far as from Falmouth to Fayal by this power, the irregularity
of the arrival of the mails at Barbadoes, which at present takes
place, would be nearly done away, and consequently no such assistance
as that alluded to would be necessary. Hence, the advantages either
way over the present system are clear and obvious.
Before entering upon the particular details of the West Indian
department, it is proper to observe here, that the point of
communication for the return mails from the West Indies for Europe, so
long as sailing packets are employed to the West Indies, cannot be
altered or removed from Cape Nichola Mole, because, by the general
plan, the outward mails from Great Britain, by steamers, would reach
Fayal on the 10th and 25th of each month, and the return mails to that
place would reach, from Rio de Janeiro, on the 9th and 24th; from New
York and Halifax on the 7th or 8th, or 22d or 23d; and from Barbadoes,
&c., allowing only sixteen days in the Colonies, on the 10th and (p. 034)
25th (App. No. 1.); if brought by sailing packets on dates to
correspond; so that there is not time to spare, the West Indian mail
being the last to reach the central point, and it would be very
detrimental to have any detention of the general mails at this point.
To make Jamaica the central point for the European mails, would
require several days additional; for once at Jamaica the packet would
take eight or ten days to get up and through the windward passage,
which to a sailing packet, notwithstanding this difficulty, is still
the best. In fact, if the mails from Havannah to Demerara are detained
in the West Indies more than sixteen, or at most seventeen days,
beyond the time that these could, by care and exertion, be easily
despatched from thence, the transmission of letters by private ships
to every quarter will most unquestionably be resorted to; and thus the
Post-office revenue suffer severely.
The capital and expenditure in the West Indian department under the
combination and regulations just mentioned will be:--
Capital. Yearly Charges.
Six Steamers, at 24,000_l._ £144,000 £37,200
Nine Sailing Schooners, at 1500_l._ 13,500 7,200
Coals for Steamers, 30,000 tons, at 25_s._ 37,500
------- ------
£157,500 81,900
------- ------
It is necessary here to observe, that the calculation taken for the
consumption of coals is founded upon the basis that the coals are of
the very best quality, and also that the machinery is of the best and
most economical description and construction, and for a vessel of
240-horse power. The time that the steamers are considered to be
engaged in actual work is calculated to include the time passed in
getting up the steam in each voyage, and also to cover all temporary
stoppages. The time allowed on every route and station is, on the
average, more than will be required. Steamers of the force mentioned
will, in good weather and light breezes and seas, even when contrary,
run ten geographical miles per hour; and, within the tropics, with
trade-winds and currents in their favour, at a still greater
speed: but the average performance may be fairly taken at 200 (p. 035)
geographical miles each twenty-four hours, although in all the
climates within the variable winds, and in the tropics when going
against the winds and currents, the speed made good will be, and is
taken at, much less. Moreover it is proper to observe, on the point of
outlay for coals, that the work is everywhere, as regards the quantity
to be used, calculated as if wholly done by steam, while it is obvious
that the assistance of sails may be had recourse to with advantage.
For this purpose, those steamers which have to go into the torrid zone
ought to be provided with large square fore-sails. The assistance to
be obtained by the use of sails would save a considerable quantity of
coals; or what is the same thing, using them would expedite the
steamer proportionally more on her voyage, and bring it so much sooner
to a close. Sails may fairly be calculated to impel a vessel at the
rate of 2-1/2 miles per hour on a voyage, and which will save either
directly _one-fourth_ the quantity of coals, or impel the steamer so
much sooner to the end of her journey than the time calculated, where
time is taken as if it were impelled by steam alone, and thereby a
proportional saving of fuel will be effected. The saving effected on
this ratio will, on the General Plan, be 27,000 tons, 33,250_l._; on
the West Indian portion thereof 7500 tons, 9375_l._; and on the West
Indian and the Falmouth and Fayal department, 9600 tons, 11,475_l._;
subject to 10 per cent. deduction, being allowance for wastage.
As regards the calculations made concerning the progress of steamers
in the voyages to be made, it is satisfactory to find, from
intelligence lately received, that the _Berenice_ steamer, of
230-horse power, made the passage from Falmouth, by the Cape Verdes,
Fernando Po, the Cape of Good Hope, and the Mauritius, to Bombay, in
eighty-eight days; _sixty-three at sea_. The course taken, and
distance run, is about 12,200 geographical miles, or at the average
rate of 194 geographical miles per day. Her average consumption of
coals was fifteen tons per day. The _Atalanta_ of 210-horse power, ran
the same distance in 106 days; sixty-eight of which at sea, under
steam. Consumption of coals, seventeen tons per day. The _Flamer_
steamer, of 140-horse power, now in the West Indies, two voyages (p. 036)
in succession, last autumn, made the voyage from Barbadoes to Jamaica,
by Jacmel, Hayti, in five days; which is fully nine geographical miles
per hour; and in returning she ran in one voyage from St. Lucia to
Barbadoes in twelve hours, distance 100 geographical miles, with winds
and current unfavourable. Adverting to these facts, it is obvious that
sufficient time is allowed for the progress of the steam-boats, in
every station, under the General Plan now recommended to be adopted,
in order to communicate with the different places in the Western
World. The _Berenice's_ greatest run was 256 miles in twenty-four
hours.[3]
[Footnote 3: See also Appendix, No. 1.]
_West Indian Station._--_Details._
This is a complicated and important department, and the working
details thereof must be planned as follows:--
1.--_First Packet for the Month_.
Immediately on the arrival of this packet at Barbadoes, a steamer of
240-horse power should start for St. Thomas direct (430 miles), with
the mails from England, &c. for that island, Santa Cruz and Tortola,
and for Porto Rico, St. Domingo, the Bahamas, All Cuba, Jamaica,
Carthagena, Chagres, Panama, Honduras, Vera Cruz, and Tampico. This
boat could reach and clear St. Thomas in two days.
The steamer alluded to having landed the mails for St. Thomas, St.
Cruz, and Tortola, should then proceed to St. John's, Porto Rico, and
there land the British and Colonial mails; to Cape Nichola Mole
(Hayti), and there land the British, the Colonial, and the Bahama
mails; to St. Jago de Cuba, and there land the British and Colonial
mails; to Kingston, Jamaica, and there land the British, the Colonial,
the Chagres and Carthagena mails; to Savannah la Mar, Jamaica, and
there land the British and Colonial mails for all the western parts
of Jamaica,[4] for Trinidad de Cuba and Honduras; and thence to (p. 037)
Havannah, with the mails for that place, and Vera Cruz, &c.
[Footnote 4: To touch at Savannah la Mar would
scarcely take up one hour, while doing so would be
a very great accommodation to the western part of
Jamaica.]
At the end of the second day this steamer may start on her return,
with the return mails from the Havannah, and the return mails from the
preceding packet from Vera Cruz and Tampico, forwarded and brought up
as after mentioned, and, proceeding, call at Savannah la Mar for the
same, from the western parts of Jamaica, Trinidad de Cuba, and
Honduras; at Kingston for the general Jamaica mails, and those from
Santa Martha, Carthagena, and Chagres from the same packet, and from
Panama, &c. from the preceding packet; at St. Jago de Cuba for the
return mails, and thence to Cape Nichola Mole, where it will deliver
the whole European mails to the packet arrived there, as will
presently be pointed out; from Cape Nichola Mole the steamer will
proceed to St. Thomas, calling at St. John's, Porto Rico, with and for
Colonial mails, and thence to Barbadoes (calling at all the Islands
going up, and carrying up the British mail for Tortola from St.
Thomas, left by the downward steamer) to wait to receive a following
mail from Great Britain.
On the arrival of the downward steamer at Cape Nichola Mole, from St.
Thomas, a fast-sailing schooner to be despatched to Nassau with the
Bahama mails, calling, in going and returning, at Crooked Island. This
schooner, it is calculated, could be back at Cape Nichola Mole in time
to meet the packet at her departure for England with the return mails;
if it could not, then the packet could take Crooked Island in her way,
and there pick up the Bahama return mails for Great Britain.
Two schooners would be sufficient for this station for the Bahama
service, should it be desirable that these islands should have mails
twice each month.
On the arrival of the steamer at Kingston, Jamaica, with the outward
mails, another steamer to be despatched with the mails for Santa
Martha, Carthagena, Chagres, and Panama, calling at Chagres first, (p. 038)
and with the return mails from Panama, the South Sea, and Chagres,
return to Kingston by Carthagena and Santa Martha. One powerful
steam-boat would be in time for the same packet; thus:--to Chagres,
550 miles, two and a half days; to Carthagena, 290 miles, one and a
half day; stop there one day; to Santa Martha, ninety miles, one day;
to Jamaica, 420 miles, three days; in all, nine days.
The mails for Honduras and Trinidad de Cuba by the outward packet
having been brought up to Montego Bay, Jamaica, as has been already
stated, a good schooner should proceed thence to Trinidad de Cuba, 172
miles, one and a half days; thence to Honduras, 520 miles, three and a
half days; stop three or more days; back to Montego Bay, by Trinidad
de Cuba, 692 miles, ten days; in all, eighteen days. Two schooners
will perform this work, giving two mails each month.
On the arrival of the steamer at Havannah another steamer should be
despatched with the outward mails for Tampico and Vera Cruz, and from
thence return to Havannah with the return British and Colonial mails.
The course of this boat would be,--to Vera Cruz, 800 miles, three and
a half days; to Tampico and back, 360 miles, stopping two days, four
days; Vera Cruz, back to Havannah, five and a half days; in all,
thirteen days.
The route of the mail conveyance from Barbadoes to Jamaica, &c., by
steamers, would therefore be:--
Geo. Miles. Days.
Barbadoes to St. Thomas 430 2
St. Thomas to Jamaica, by Porto Rico, Cape Nichola,
and St. Jago de Cuba 780 3-1/2
Jamaica to Havannah, by Cape Antonio 685 3
Stop at Havannah 2
Havannah to Jamaica, by Cape Antonio 685 4
Jamaica, Coals 1
Kingston to Cape Nichola Mole, by St. Jago 305 2
Cape Nichola Mole to St. Thomas, by P. Rico 480 3
St. Thomas, Coals 1
St. Thomas to Barbadoes, calling at all Islands 500 4
---- ------
Totals 3865 25-1/2
---- ------
Each steam-boat being thus twenty-two days, each trip, at sea. (p. 039)
Two powerful boats (240 or 250-horse power each), actively employed,
carrying passengers, parcels, and packages, would do this work twice
each month, with the addition of one spare one stationed at Barbadoes,
or Jamaica; perhaps the former.
2.--_Windward Station._
One powerful steam-boat (240-horse power) to leave Barbadoes
immediately on the arrival of the outward British packet, for Demerara
and Berbice, with the British and Colonial mails, and from the latter
return to Barbadoes, having first carried the return mails to the
packet at Grenada; thus:--Barbadoes to Berbice, 450 miles, landing
mail at Demerara, three days; (the mail for Berbice might be forwarded
from George Town, Demerara, by land;) stop at Berbice two days; to
Grenada, calling at Demerara, Tobago, and St. Vincent's, for return
mail, 490 miles, four days; back to Barbadoes, 150 miles, two days; in
all, eleven days: taking with her the return mails from the Colonies
at which she had called for Barbadoes, and having delivered the return
European mails, and others, to the packet at Grenada.
On the arrival of the British packet at Barbadoes, a fast-sailing
schooner to be despatched with the outward mails for Laguayra
(dropping at St. Vincent's and Grenada the outward mails for these
islands, which would be little trouble to it), and from Laguayra to
proceed to St. Thomas, with the return mails for the packet, as at
present, and thence return to Barbadoes direct. The route of this boat
would be,--Barbadoes to Laguayra, calling first at St. Vincent's and
Grenada, 510 miles, four days; stop there three days; and to St.
Thomas, 490 miles, six days; to Barbadoes, eight days; in all,
twenty-one days. Two schooners would do this work, giving two mails
each month.
On the arrival of the British packet at Barbadoes, a fast-sailing
schooner should be despatched, as at present, with the outward (p. 040)
mails from Great Britain for St. Lucia, Martinique, Dominica,
Guadaloupe, Antigua, Montserrat, Nevis, and St. Kitts. The boat need
proceed no further westward than St. Kitts, because the steamer from
Barbadoes had carried forward the Tortola mails. From St. Kitts it
will return to Barbadoes, calling at all the islands just enumerated,
for the return Colonial mails. The route of this boat would
be,--Barbadoes to St. Kitts, calling at the places mentioned, 370
miles, four days; and back to Barbadoes, six days; together, ten days.
On the eighth day after the arrival of the packet at Barbadoes (the
despatch of this boat must always be so as to secure its arrival at
St. Kitts _before_ the packet), a schooner to be despatched with the
return mails and passengers from that island, to pick up for the
homeward-bound packet mails and passengers at St. Lucia, Martinique,
Dominica, Guadaloupe, Antigua, Montserrat, and Nevis, and give to or
leave these for the packet at St. Kitts. From St. Kitts this boat
returns to Barbadoes, calling at all the islands enumerated for the
return Colonial mails. This boat will be the same time out as the one
which carried the outward mails, namely, ten days.[5]
[Footnote 5: If the packet is a steamer, these
boats will be saved, because the steamer would save
so much time as to enable it to call at all the
islands northwards, to pick up the return mails.]
Two schooners will do the work on both the courses here pointed out as
necessary, with two spare ones at Barbadoes, in case of the arrival of
sailing packets on the heels of each other from Britain, to forward
the mails for all the places mentioned, and for Laguayra, making in
all eight schooners for this station. There are at present ten, or
more.
Instead of remaining at Barbadoes nine days, as at present, doing
nothing, the packet herself (whether steamer or sailing vessel)
should, on the day after her arrival at that island, proceed with the
outward mails to Tobago and Trinidad, delivering those for the former
island, and proceeding thence direct to Trinidad, in two days, 230
miles. At Trinidad remain six days, thence with the return mails from
it proceed to Grenada, where she will meet the return mails for
Europe, brought there by the steamer from British Guiana, Tobago, and
St Vincent's. With these collected, proceed on the tenth day from (p. 041)
Grenada to St. Kitts, 330 miles, two and a half days. At that island
pick up the European mails from the islands formerly enumerated, and
thence with the whole proceed to St. Thomas, by Tortola, 140 miles,
one and a half day more; in all, fourteen days from her arrival at
Barbadoes to St. Thomas.
At St. Thomas, having all the mails from the Windward and Leeward
Islands on board, and having there got the European mail from
Laguayra, &c., the packet will proceed, on the fourteenth day, to the
westward, calling at St John's, Porto Rico, for the return mail, and
thence go on to Cape Nichola Mole, Hayti, 480 miles, three days. At
this latter place receive all the European mails from the Bahamas,
from Jamaica, Cuba, &c. &c., and thence, with the whole, on the
seventeenth day, proceed direct, according as may be determined, to
Fayal or to Falmouth, calling at Crooked Island to pick up the return
mails from the Bahamas, if it shall be found that those cannot be got
up in time by the sailing schooners to Cape Nichola Mole.[6]
[Footnote 6: Whenever steamers are appointed to
carry the mails from Falmouth to Barbadoes, the
arrival of the packet at that island will be so
regular, that Jamaica _might_ be made (should this
be considered advantageous) the headquarters, as it
were, for the steamers in that quarter of the
world. Four would then be sufficient for the work
between Barbadoes and Vera Cruz; two to run between
Jamaica and Vera Cruz, by the Havannah, and two
between Jamaica and Barbadoes, by St. Thomas. The
latter two would be each fifteen days at sea
monthly, and the former two seventeen days,
exclusive of partial stoppages; so that there would
be abundance of time for rest and repairs. Further,
under such circumstances, the packet with the
European return mails would have time to run
through the islands and pick up all the mails;
meeting, on the second day after her departure from
Trinidad, and on the ninth after reaching
Barbadoes, at St. Lucia, the steamer from Guiana,
with the Guiana, Tobago, and Barbadoes return
mails; and proceeding onward through all the
islands, to the northward and westward, St. Thomas
and Porto Rico included, pass from that island
through the Mona Passage, and call at Jacmel for a
mail, reaching Jamaica in fourteen days. From
thence starting without delay, and going by St.
Jago de Cuba and Cape Nichola, leave the latter
place on the seventeenth day for Fayal, exactly in
the same time that it is calculated it could do
under the other arrangement. But such an
arrangement would render it difficult, perhaps
impracticable, to get up the Laguayra mail to St.
Thomas in time, it having only ten days for that
purpose; and at the same time an additional expense
for coals, at least for three days each packet or
voyage (1800 tons, 2250_l._ yearly) would be
required, being the time taken between Jamaica and
Cape Nichola Mole.]
THE SECOND PACKET of the month, and all the steamers and schooners, to
proceed exactly in a similar manner.
According to the proposed arrangement, these steam-boats would be
actively employed thus:--
1008 days, yearly--Jamaica station
192 " " Demerara ditto.
----
In all 1200 days, yearly. Coals, 30,000 tons.
_Advantages._ (p. 042)
I. There would, by these arrangements, be two mails each month to
Great Britain from all places in the western Tropical Archipelago, or
connected with it, which at present there are not.
II. Jamaica, with the requisite alterations in her internal mail
communications, would have in all her western division seven and eight
days, and in all her eastern division eight and nine days, to return
answers by the packet with which she receives her European, &c.
correspondence, of which she at present is deprived; Kingston and
Spanish Town alone being able, under the present regulations, to do
so.
III. Porto Rico, All Cuba, the more important parts of Hayti, and all
the western coasts of South America, would, by these arrangements, be
brought immediately and completely within the range of the British
Post-office, most of which places at present are not.
IV. By this arrangement all British Guiana would be enabled to reply
to all its European and Colonial correspondence by the same packet,
but which at present they have it not in their power to do.
V. The inhabitants of Trinidad would get sufficient time to receive
and to reply to their letters by the same packet. From the Naparima
and other distant quarters they cannot at present do so.
VI. The whole of the British Windward and Leeward Island Colonies (p. 043)
would have regularly, and nearly every week, post communications with
each other and with Barbadoes, instead of being, as at present, weeks
together without such communications.
VII. This arrangement would be more agreeable, convenient, and
advantageous to passengers from Demerara, &c. for the packet for
England, and also amongst the Colonies, and consequently more
advantageous to all interested in the packets.
VIII. The same may be said with regard to passengers in every part of
the Western Archipelago. The frequency and regularity of the
conveyances would greatly add to the number of travellers, and also
greatly increase the number of letters sent and received, and
consequently augment the Post-office revenue to an amount greatly
beyond what it now is.
IX. By this arrangement the packet itself would always be out of any
danger, which, it is well known, she incurs by laying at Barbadoes, an
unsheltered place at all times, but peculiarly dangerous in the
hurricane months. In the route pointed out she would be nearly free
from the sphere of all such dangers and tempests.
X. By this arrangement the communications, both to the Government and
to individuals, would be more safe, and regular, and frequent than
they now are with every quarter of the Western World; an object of
great importance to all, but more especially to the British
Government.
XI. By this arrangement six Mexican packets, which cost Government,
say 4200_l._ each (25,200_l._ per annum), would be wholly saved.
XII. Departing from Cape Nichola Mole, instead of St. Thomas, for
Falmouth, does not increase the distance in the voyage to England
above 310 miles,--about two days' sail; moreover, it may be remarked,
the packet at present scarcely ever leaves St. Thomas for England
earlier than on the nineteenth day, and sometimes even longer.
Thus,--Steam-boat to Jamaica, eight days, four days there, and seven
to St. Thomas even in favourable voyages.
XIII. Great Britain, by thus possessing all the channels of
communication in the Western Archipelago, would thereby secure the
principal political influence therein; but which will otherwise, and
in a very short period hence, go into the hands of the United States,
now earnestly looking about and proceeding to acquire and to (p. 044)
extend the same in that quarter of the world.
XIV. The expenses as regards this plan, would, for the West Indies,
not be greater than for the present establishment in that quarter, the
Mexican packets included; while the communications with several places
would be doubled.
XV. The whole correspondence of the United States, with every quarter
of America, to the south of these States, would be brought by the
General Plan within the range of the Post Office of Great Britain.
There would, moreover, be two mails each month between Great Britain
and the eastern coast of South America.
XVI. A great and useful commercial correspondence, between the United
States, British North America, and all the West Indies, would be
opened up, but which at present does not exist.
RECAPITULATION.
In order to obtain a view of the Plan, brought into the narrowest
possible compass, without wading through the minute and multifarious
details, it is necessary to particularize the different stations and
departments, to which the numbers affixed immediately and only relate,
thus:--
No. 1. Falmouth to Terceira or Fayal.
2. Fayal to Halifax.
3. Halifax by New York to Havannah.
4. Fayal to Rio de Janeiro by Pernambuco, &c.
5. Fayal to Madeira and Teneriffe.
6. Fayal to Barbadoes.
7. West India Department, from Demerara to Vera Cruz,
including Chagres, &c.
8. Expenses, depôts for coals, and repair boats.
_Cost of Plan by Steam._ (p. 045)
--------+-------+-------+-------+--------+-------+--------+------+-------
| |Provi- | | | | | |Number
Number | Fixed | sions |Tons of|Price of|Cost of| Total |Number| of
of |Capital|Wages, | Coals | Coals | Coals |Expendi-| of |Sailing
Station.| re- | &c. |Yearly.|per ton.|Yearly.| ture |Steam-| Ves-
|quired.|Yearly.| | | | Yearly.| ers. | sels.
--------+-------+-------+-------+--------+-------+--------+------+-------
| £ | £ | | _s._ | £ | £ | |
1 | 48,000| 12,400| 8,400| 20 | 8,400| 20,800 | 2 | "
2 | 48,000| 12,400| 12,000| 25 | 15,000| 27,400 | 2 | "
3 | 48,000| 12,400| 12,000| " | 15,000| 27,400 | 2 | "
4 | 72,000| 18,600| 23,400| " | 29,250| 47,850 | 3 | "
5 | 7,000| 3,600| " | " | " | 3,600 | " | 4
6 | 96,000| 24,800| 22,200| " | 27,750| 52,550 | 4 | "
7 |157,500| 44,400| 30,000| " | 37,500| 81,900 | 6 | 9
8 | " | " | " | " | " | 11,350 | " | "
|-------+-------+-------| |-------+--------+------+-------
[7] |476,500|128,600|108,000| |132,900|272,850 | 19 | 13
Sub. |335,500|115,000| 38,400| | 45,900|168,500 | 8 | 26
|-------+-------+-------| |-------+--------+------+-------
Diff. |141,000| 13,600| 69,600| | 87,000|104,350 | 11 | 13
--------+-------+-------+-------+--------+-------+--------+------+-------
N.B.--The latter sum shows the difference of capital and expenditure
betwixt the work done by steam, and partly by steam and partly by
sailing packets. The reduction in coals by the preceding estimate will
be 33,250_l._; and, allowing 10 per cent. wastage on the _whole
quantity_, the real reduction in the expenditure will be 20,000_l._
[Footnote 7: The cost of these steamers will, to a
considerable degree, depend on the tonnage which it
is considered most proper to adopt. The utmost
quantity of coals which any of them will require to
carry, will be (Fayal to Barbadoes, and Fayal to
Pernambuco) 300 tons. Airy accommodation for from
fifty to sixty cabin passengers, and twenty-five to
thirty steerage ditto, with the crew, will be all
that is requisite, leaving a room for specie and
the mails, and space for from forty to one hundred
tons of goods. Since the present calculation was
made, the price of machinery has risen
considerably. Boats of the size necessary may now,
perhaps, cost 28,000_l._ to 29,000_l._ In the
latter case, 750_l._ per annum (five per cent.
insurance, five per cent. interest, and five per
cent. ordinary tear and wear) must be added to the
yearly outlay, as here stated. The wages and
provisions will remain the same. Iron boats can be
had _one-fourth_ cheaper than those built of wood;
moreover, engines now made on the EXPANSIVE system,
require fully one-third fewer coals, by which so
much expense will be saved.]
_Cost, partly by Steamers and partly by Sailing Packets_. (p. 046)
--------+-------+-------+-------+--------+-------+--------+------+-------
| |Provi- | | | | | |Number
Number | Fixed | sions |Tons of|Price of|Cost of| Total |Number| of
of |Capital|Wages, | Coals | Coals | Coals |Expendi-| of |Sailing
Station.| re- | &c. |Yearly.|per ton.|Yearly.| ture |Steam-| Pack-
|quired.|Yearly.| | | | Yearly.| ers. | ets.
--------+-------+-------+-------+--------+-------+--------+------+-------
| £ | £ | | _s._ | £ | £ | |
1 | 48,000| 12,400| 8,400| 20 | 8,400| 20,800| 2 | "
2 | 19,000| 8,400| " | " | " | 8,400| " | 2
3 | 19,000| 8,400| " | " | " | 8,400| " | 2
4 | 47,500| 21,000| " | " | " | 21,000| " | 5
5 | 7,000| 3,600| " | " | " | 3,600| " | 4
6 | 38,000| 16,800| " | " | " | 16,800| " | 4
7 |157,000| 44,400| 30,000| 25 | 37,500| 81,900| 6 | 9
8 | " | " | " | " | " | 7,600| " | "
|-------+-------+-------| |-------+--------+------+-------
|335,500|115,000| 38,400| | 45,900| 168,500| 8 | 26
--------+-------+-------+-------+--------+-------+--------+------+-------
Subject on the total expenditure to reduction in coals to the amount
of 11,475_l._; less, however, 10 percent, or 4,590_l._ for wastage;
giving the real reduction to be 6,885_l._
GENERAL REMARKS.
The mails conveyed from Great Britain by steam to the quarters
mentioned would in their courses be due:--
London to Halifax, Quebec, and New York, forty-six days; from
Halifax to West Indies, according to the distance of the island
or place; Havannah, twenty-two days; Jamaica, thirty-one days;
Barbadoes, fifty days, &c., &c. London to Rio de Janeiro,
sixty-five days, and Buenos Ayres, fifteen days more; London to
Madeira and Teneriffe, thirty-four days; London to Barbadoes, and
all the West Indies, from Demerara to Havannah, and Chagres
inclusive, sixty-five days, and to Honduras, Vera Cruz, and
Tampico, fifteen days more. If the mails are conveyed by sailing
packets on the four great lines from Fayal, then the time for all
would be fifteen days additional.
Large as the above-mentioned sums are, still the revenues of Great Britain
and Ireland, and their Colonial dependencies in the Western World (p. 047)
(say 55,000,000_l._ yearly), ought to defray the cost without feeling
any embarrassment. The cost, however, is nothing, when compared to the
benefits and the advantages which the nation and individuals would
derive from it. Time saved and actively employed is every thing. It is
capital, which, if not employed at the moment, can never be again
employed--a capital which, if suffered or forced to remain unemployed,
or to escape unemployed, can never again be found or replaced. The
exports of Great Britain amount at the declared value, and including
freights and charges, to 75,000,000_l._ per annum. By employing
steam-packets on even a portion of the present work, instead of
sailing-packets, _fifteen_ days would be gained in every line of
communication. Remittances arriving fifteen days earlier would be a
profit to the commercial interests of the country of 167,793_l._,
independent of the additional advantages which every merchant would
gain when, instead of his funds wandering on the Atlantic, or lying
idle and unproductive on the other side of it, he had these in hand,
to lay out to good account as opportunity might offer. Even Government
itself, from the want of regularity and frequency of transmission,
lose, in their money transactions in the West Indies, above 8000_l._
yearly, and much more in not being able to learn quickly and regularly
the state of the exchanges in the great money marts in the Western
World.
Moreover, the Plan above recommended, conducted judiciously, and
carried into effect to the extent pointed out, would amply repay
either the Government or the individuals who may undertake it.
Travelling would be prodigiously increased. Some of the wealth of
foreign countries would be drawn by it to this country and her
dependencies. Everywhere activity and industry would be encouraged
and increased. The Post-office revenue would be greatly
augmented,--perhaps doubled. The expenditure also would all be on
British materials and labour.
_Cost of the New System and the Present System._
In order to understand the subject fairly, it becomes necessary
to contrast the capital and the expenditure required under the (p. 048)
NEW PLAN with the capital and the expenditure required for the
_Present System_; and also, from data, which, though these in some
points may not be perfectly accurate, are at any rate sufficiently so,
to show the income which may reasonably be expected under the working
of the Plan recommended. Every one practically acquainted with the
subject, with the countries and combinations, with the objects alluded
to and brought forward, will acknowledge the general accuracy of the
data, and the great superiority and advantages in every way, and in
every thing, of the new plan over the present system.
I.
The portion relating to the West Indian Department, shall separately
and first be taken as a comparison.
Yearly cost by the proposed plan £81,900
Yearly cost by present system:--
Six Mexican packets at £4,200[8] £25,200
Four steamers and coals, say 39,000
Hire ten mail-boats, West Indies 6,000
Ditto mail-vessels, Nassau, Chagres,
&c., say 4,000
Assistance navy,[9] equal to, say 3,000
------- 77,200
------
Apparent increase £4,700
But against this there is to be placed, the proportion
of saving in coals 5,635
-------
Difference _gained_ £935
-------
[Footnote 8: See Appendix No. 1., Calculation of
Expenses of Steamers and Sailing Packets.]
[Footnote 9: Men-of-war frequently carry the mails
from Barbadoes to Jamaica; also in other places.]
_Capital._ (p. 049)
Capital required by new plan £157,000
By present system:--
Six Mexican packets, at £9500 £57,000
Four steamers, _above_ £20,000, say 86,000
Ten mail-vessels, Windward Islands,
£1500 15,000
Mail-vessels, Nassau, St. Martha, &c. 5,000
Aid men-of-war,[10] equal to 7,500
------- 170,500
-------
Difference: decrease £13,500
-------
[Footnote 10: This assistance is worth more in
capital than this sum.]
Under the present system, all Demerara, Jamaica (Kingston and Spanish
Town excepted), and a large portion of Trinidad, cannot reply to their
letters by the same packet by which they receive them. Also Nassau,
Havannah, Tampico, Vera Cruz, Honduras, Chagres, Carthagena, Santa
Martha, and Laguayra, have only ONE mail each month; while all Porto
Rico, all the north side (the most important part) of Hayti, and all
the south side of Cuba, are wholly left out; while in all parts the
system is imperfect, irregular, and uncertain.
By the new plan, Nassau, Havannah, Tampico, Vera Cruz, Honduras,
Chagres, Santa Martha, and Laguayra, would have two mails each month;
all Porto Rico, the north side of Hayti, and the south side of Cuba,
would be included, and have two mails each month also; and all
Jamaica, Trinidad, and Demerara, would have time to reply to their
letters by the same packet which brought them. Time would everywhere
be saved, and the whole system would be regular and certain, and
properly combined.
II. (p. 050)
The General Plan for the Western World:--
Capital required by new plan £476,500
By present system:--
28 sailing-packets,[11] at £9500 £266,000
2 do. vessels, S. America, £5,000 10,000
4 steamers, _above_ £20,000 86,000
10 mail-vessels, Barbadoes, £1500 15,000
Mail vessels, other stations, at least 8,000
Aid navy, as already stated 7,500
-------- 392,500
--------
Difference: increase £84,000
--------
Cost yearly by new plan £272,850
By present system:--
28 sailing-packets, at £4200 £126,000
4 steamers, and coals 39,000
2 vessels, Rio de Janeiro, &c. 4,500
10 mail vessels, Barbadoes station 6,000
Bermuda, Halifax, Nassau, &c. &c.
say 5,500
Aid navy, equal to 3,000
-------- 184,000
--------
Apparent increase £88,850
But against this is to be placed, first, the coals saved
by the use of sails, 20,000_l._; secondly, the sum
of 11,350_l._ allowed in new plan (not taken into
account in the present) for the expense of coal
depôts, and places for repairs; together 31,350
--------
Real increase £57,550
--------
[Footnote 11: According to Parl. Pap. No. 251, of
1835, the following are the names and the number of
the packets:--
Eclipse Lyra Tyrian Stanmer
Plover Renard Seagull Nautilus
Swallow Brisei Cockatrice Scorpion
Goldfinch Reindeer Hornet Espoir
Mutine Nightingale Camden Pike
Lapwing Skylark Duke of York Sheldrake
Pigeon Spey Lady Mary Pelham
Opossum Pandora Lord Melville
Astrea, stationary ship at Falmouth, 956 tons. The
Express, the Star, the Alert, NEW, have since
replaced some of the above.]
_Remarks._ (p. 051)
By the present system, there is no direct mail communication with New
York; no communication between North America and the West Indies, no
mail communication with the north side of Hayti, the south side of
Cuba, nor with Porto Rico; Havannah, Vera Cruz, Tampico, Honduras,
Nassau, Bermuda, Chagres, Carthagena, Santa Martha, Laguayra, Rio de
Janeiro, Buenos Ayres, &c. &c. have only _one_ mail in each month;
while all Demerara, most part of Trinidad, and all Jamaica (Kingston
and Spanish Town excepted), cannot reply to their letters by the same
packet by which they received them. Further, every thing is imperfect,
irregular, and uncertain; and, moreover, the four steamers in the West
Indies last spring are so utterly inefficient and worthless, that they
must forthwith be replaced by at least _three_ good new ones, to do
the same limited work.
By the new plan there will be _two mail_ communications with New York
and Halifax monthly; two ditto between all the West Indies and all
North America; there will be a mail communication twice each month
with Porto Rico, with the north side of Hayti, and the south side of
Cuba. There will be mail communications twice each month with Bermuda,
Nassau, Havannah, Tampico, Vera Cruz, Honduras, Chagres, Panama,
Carthagena, Santa Martha, Laguayra, Rio de Janeiro, Buenos Ayres,
Madeira, and Teneriffe; and all Demerara, Jamaica, and Trinidad will
be able to reply to their letters by the same packet by which they
receive them. The work everywhere will be well done, and every thing
will be regular and certain.
III. (p. 052)
If Steam is employed between Falmouth and Fayal, and in all the West
Indian department, and supposing that all the remainder of the general
plan for the western world is performed by sailing packets, then the
results will be:--
Capital required by new plan this way £335,500
Ditto employed under the present system 392,500
--------
Difference LESS £57,000
--------
Yearly cost by present system £184,000
Ditto by new plan 168,500
--------
Difference LESS £15,500
But to this difference ought to be added the
sum of 6885_l._ saved in coals by using sails,
and the sum of 7600_l._ allowed in new plan
but not taken into account in the present,
for the expense of coal depôts, and places
for repairs, 7600_l._ together 14,485
--------
True difference LESS £29,985
IV.--_Income._
Profit on passengers in all quarters (see
Appendix, No. 1.) £132,274
Freights, parcels, packages, fine goods (see do.) 117,440
Ditto specie, 24,000,000 dollars, at 1 per cent.
dollar 4_s._ 2_d._ 51,125
[12]Transport troops, stores, &c. for Government, say 30,705
Saving coals, as before, by use of sails 20,000
--------
Total £351,544
Yearly charges of whole done by Steam £252,850 (p. 053)
[13]10 per cent. yearly to replace capital,
or 50,000
Port charges, say foreign ports, &c. 15,000
Sundry small charges for Steamers, at
600_l._ yearly 11,400
-------- 329,250
--------
Gain besides clear post-office revenue £22,294
--------
[Footnote 12: Cost transport troops to Government
yearly--
Jamaica command £4,314 4 5
Windward and Leeward Islands 14,149 17 9
Bermuda command 3,982 18 10
British North America 6,259 13 8
Army vessels West Indies 1,998 13 10
--------------
30,705 8 1
_Parliamentary Papers_, No. 598 of 1836.]
[Footnote 13: In order to replace the original
capital, 10 per cent. or 50,000_l._ yearly laid
aside as a sinking fund, is quite sufficient,
thus:--
Principal. Interest.
1st year £50,000 0 0
2d do. 50,000 0 0 £2,500 0 0
3d do. 50,000 0 0 5,125 0 0
4th do. 50,000 0 0 7,881 5 0
5th do. 50,000 0 0 10,775 6 0
6th do. 50,000 0 0 13,814 0 6
7th do. 50,000 0 0 17,004 19 0
8th do. 50,000 0 0 20,335 0 6
9th do. 50,000 0 0 23,872 15 6
10th do. 50,000 0 0 27,566 8 7
--------------- --------------
Capital 500,000 0 0 128,888 14 9
Interest 128,888 14 9
----------------
Total £628,888 14 9
----------------
A similar sum (see Appendix, No. 1.) of at least
600_l._ per annum, each, ought to be charged as the
capital necessary to replace the sailing-packets.]
As regards the Post-office revenue, it is impossible, in the absence
of full official returns, to state its present exact amount, and,
consequently, the probable future increase. The revenue from the
outward postages to the British West Indian Colonies, Honduras
excepted, is inserted in the Appendix from official authority. Judging
from it, and other data, also adduced from official authority, the
present amount there stated cannot be far wrong; and the calculated
increase under the arrangements proposed, every circumstance
considered, is fair and reasonable. Besides the certain great increase
in all the external postages in these countries and colonies and
places, the internal and coasting postages in these places will be
augmented to a very great extent. Taking the outward postages at
present to be, to all the places mentioned, 100,000_l._--inwards as
much, 200,000_l._--there may be added, Additions 100,000_l._; (p. 054)
Increase 70,000_l._; total 370,000_l._; viz., outwards 185,000_l._,
and inwards as much; giving at the average postage of 2_s._ 5_d._ the
number of letters each way to be 1,531,465.
As regards the Harbour-charges, in the British Colonies, these may be
given up, or reduced to a small sum for the trouble which the Custom
Houses may be put to; and in foreign ports it should be arranged by
compacts with the respective governments, that the port dues should be
reduced to a small sum, for two reasons,--because the vessels carry
the mails, and because they are on that account restricted to a small
portion of the whole cargo, which they could otherwise take. The
charges might be made proportionate: there could not be much
difficulty in arranging these points. In some of the minor ports
(foreign), the steamers would not even come to anchor.
WEST INDIES.--INTERNAL POST OFFICES.
The internal communications in the West Indies by post are very
inefficient, even where they exist, but in most colonies these are
altogether wanting.
Communication in the West Indies on business, and in the affairs of
public and private life, is principally carried on by correspondence;
and from the particular circumstances of these colonies, more so in
proportion than in other countries.
The way in which this extensive and general communication is carried
on is by letter sent by servants or hired messengers. These servants
or messengers take days in a particular service, according to the
distance. The latter mode is particularly expensive. The other, the
most general, is scarcely less so, except that from the construction
of West Indian society, there was beforetime felt no immediate outlay
for the service required.
Important supplies are required upon an estate for various purposes.
This is of very frequent occurrence. A special messenger from that
estate must be despatched with a letter ordering the same, to a (p. 055)
distance of twenty or thirty miles, or more. Two or three days'
labour are lost, an expense of 4_s._ or 5_s._ incurred, while 1_s._
for letters by post, if there was a post, would accomplish the object.
This is merely one point brought forward in proof of the necessity of
internal post conveyances in the British West Indian colonies, as in
this country, out of the multitudes that could be adduced for a
similar purpose.
The state of society in the West Indies is now on the eve of being
completely changed, and assimilated to the society in this country;
and consequently the duty of the Government of this country ought to
bestow on the population of the colonies the same facilities of
communication which the population of the mother country enjoy.
When the Negro apprenticeship comes to an end, either partially or
totally, the expense to estates and individuals for servants or
messengers to carry the correspondence absolutely necessary, will be
exceedingly great, and a most serious burden; and yet it must be
borne,--or otherwise, without internal post communications, neither
cultivation nor commerce can be carried on.
It is absolutely necessary for the future well-being of these
colonies, that internal post communications should be extended to, and
established in each of them.
Jamaica (and perhaps it stands single in this respect) has an internal
post communication once a week, to and from Kingston, and other
quarters of the island (daily only with Spanish Town, the capital);
still this weekly post is greatly inadequate to its present wants, and
will be much more so after August 1838, and August 1840. In
consequence of this restricted communication, no other part of the
island, Spanish Town excepted, knows of a packet's arrival until it is
gone, or till it is too late to write by it. This important colony
ought not only to have mails from Kingston at least three times a
week, but the various post-offices throughout the island should have
auxiliary post-offices, after the manner of penny or twopenny
post-offices in this country. Every one will be glad to pay a regular
and reasonable postage, rather than be at the very heavy expense,
after 1840, of taking a labourer to convey the communications. Knowing
the stated day for receiving and transmitting letters, no one in (p. 056)
the most distant parts could ever be at a loss; and every one, more
especially on estates, would benefit and save exceedingly thereby.
In like manner, the smaller colonies ought to have posts twice or
thrice a week from the capital; the country offices placed at the most
important villages, and the auxiliary ones at hamlets the best
situated for the purpose. Smaller merchants and shopkeepers in these
places would be glad to do the duty at a moderate rate, because it
would otherwise serve them, by drawing customers and correspondents to
their places of business.
Even in the smallest colonies such internal establishments would pay,
and, in most of them, more than pay, the expenses they occasion; while
it is clear that such internal facilities would most materially add to
the external or packet postage.
Where the roads are good, the mails, travelling at the rate of five or
six miles per hour, may be carried in gigs, as in this country, drawn
by horses or mules; and where rugged or hilly, on the backs of mules,
in proper portmanteaus.
It is worthy the attention, and is in fact the duty, of Her Majesty's
General Post-office, to direct some person locally acquainted to
proceed through the colonies, to examine into situations, and to
establish such internal post conveyances. In the smaller islands, as
has been stated, they would defray, and more than defray, the expenses
incurred; while in the larger and more opulent colonies, they would
yield a fair revenue; while the good they would do to every community
will be incalculably great. The West Indies everywhere want a little
European energy and regularity infused into them,--and this is one
efficient, perhaps the simplest and most efficient way to do it.
PACIFIC DEPARTMENT. (p. 057)
It has been already stated that a steam communication for the west
coasts of America, on the Pacific, has already been arranged, and is
about to be set on foot. This important object has been concerted and
arranged by that enterprising gentleman, WILLIAM WHEELWRIGHT, Esq., of
Valparaiso, after almost incredible perseverance and labour, and great
expense; and has obtained the official sanction and support of both
the Chilian and Peruvian Governments. It will extend from Panama to
Valparaiso on the south, and to Acapulco on the north; and will, as a
matter of course, for the interest of those concerned in carrying the
plan into execution, be so timed and arranged in the working machinery
thereof, as to correspond with the arrivals at, and departures from,
Chagres on the north, or the Atlantic side of the Isthmus.[14] A road
is about to be commenced between Panama and the Chagres, which (p. 058)
when completed, the communication from sea to sea may be made in half
a day. This point, as regards the western coasts of America, being
thus arranged, it becomes of vast importance to the whole plan
proposed, to extend from Great Britain to the eastern coasts of the
western world; and it now becomes of great consequence to show how
readily and advantageously the West Indian department can be made to
connect itself outwards and inwards across the Isthmus alluded to,
with Sydney, New South Wales; Canton, China, &c.
[Footnote 14: The following are the distances from
Panama to the different places alluded to:--
SOUTH.
Panama
to Guayaquil S. 0°. 31' W. Dist. 670 Geo. Miles.
Guayaquil
to Lima S. 15°. E. " 610
Lima
to Arica S. 45°. E. " 570
Arica
to Coquimbo S. 5°. W. " 690
Coquimbo
to Valparaiso S. 5°. W. " 190
Valparaiso
to Fort Carlos,
Chiloe S. 16°. W. " 555
From Panama to Valparaiso and back could be thirty
days, including three days for stoppages.
NORTH.
Panama
to Point Mala S. 15°. W. Dist. 95 Geo. Miles.
Point Mala
to Port Damas,
Quibo S. 89°. W. " 97
Port Damas
to Rialejo N. 48°. W. " 450
Rialejo to
Acapulco N. 62-1/2°. W. " 1180
Acapulco to
St. Blas N. 48°. W. " 420
St Blas to
Cape Lucas,
California N. 73°. W. " 274
From Panama to St. Blas and back could be
twenty-seven days, including four days for
stoppages.]
This connexion may be made either by Chagres and Panama, or by the
river St. Juan's, through the Lake Nicaragua, to Rialejo, on the
Pacific. The distances and courses by either are not materially
different: but there is the best reason to believe that the
communication by the route last mentioned is the best; and that, in
fact, it may, without a very great expense, be effected by water. To
carry on the communication across the Pacific, from and to the places
mentioned, by steam, would be unprofitable, unadvisable, and
unnecessary. To give two mails each month to the places specifically
mentioned, would require, even fixing a central point in the Pacific
as in the Atlantic, thirteen steamers, at a cost of 223,000_l._; while
no more than fifteen days could be gained, compared to the time that
the work could be performed by sailing packets. These results have
been obtained after calculations carefully made upon the same
principles as the calculations for a similar purpose have been made in
the preceding pages. The whole can be proved by considering the winds
which prevail in the quarters of the Pacific alluded to (elsewhere
particularly noticed), and by examining the bearings and distances
inserted in Appendix No. III. These matters being considered, it
follows, that not only no additional expense will be required on
account of the mails which are to cross the Isthmus to the Pacific,
until their arrival at Panama or Rialejo; but that resources from (p. 059)
the latter, such as parcels, packages, and passengers, will be drawn
from the Pacific department, to increase the returns in the Atlantic
department. With these observations, it is now proper to advert to the
courses and distances which must be taken, and the expenses which will
be required in this, which shall be denominated the Pacific
Department; the work to be performed by first-class sailing packets.
Owing to the winds which prevail in the Pacific, the passage outwards
to both Sydney and Canton would be easy and rapid; but in order to
make the return mails from these places meet at a central
point--thereby, as in the plan for crossing the Atlantic, to save
packets--which point should be so placed, as that taking it in would
not retard the progress of the mails, or that only in the slightest
degree possible--is now the point to consider. Beyond the parallel
where the variable winds commence, there is no island of importance in
any position that would be an eligible and safe point for the return
mails from Sydney and Canton to meet in their way to Rialejo or
Panama. To carry the outward mails from either of the latter places by
Otaheite, the Canton packet branching off there would be to bring it,
upon its return, a vast distance out of its way (to Otaheite it must
return in order to get the next outward mail for Canton); especially
when the return mail from Sydney must stand north through the trades
to get into the northern variables. It would be desirable that a good
point should be found, as much to the westward as possible, and
convenient to proceed to Canton; at the same time, sufficiently to the
eastward, or, as it may be called, to the windward, of New South
Wales. Owhyhee may be considered as taking the Sydney outward mails
considerably out of their course, although by making that the point,
the time in both lines westward from it would be pretty equally
divided. The difference, however, and the delay it would occasion,
would not be so much as at first sight may be imagined; while the
short distance that this island is within the northern trade winds,
would render it neither difficult nor tedious for the return packet
from Canton to run down upon it, and there meet the return packet from
Sydney. Christmas Isle, a little to the north of the equator, (p. 060)
might be made the central point at which the packets would separate,
and to which they would return; the Canton packets dropping at Owhyhee
the return mails, to be picked up by the packet returning from Sydney
to Rialejo. This would bring the Canton packet 1000 miles into the
trade winds to Christmas Isle. From thence, with the outward mails, it
could run rapidly westward to Canton, calling at Manilla in the
voyage. There are no other places in the North Pacific where packets
could touch, unite, and command, with the least inconvenience to the
service, the navigation to and from both places. Separate
establishments for each line from the west coast of America may be
considered too expensive, if, by concentration and combination, the
same work could be performed at less expense; and then, by that
combination, whatever letters, passengers, &c. there might be from
Sydney to Canton, or from Canton to Sydney, would meet at either of
the places mentioned, and be forwarded in the quickest manner to their
respective destinations. The question is, Which of the places and
plans mentioned is the best fitted for the objects had in view? To
determine this, it will be best to consider the communication, each of
the three ways in which it may be taken, thus:--
Making Owhyhee the central point of communication, the routes,
distances, and periods, and expenses, would be--
Geo. Miles. Days
Rialejo to Owhyhee 4,100 22
Owhyhee to Canton 5,200 28
Stop at Canton " 2
Canton to Owhyhee (circuitous) 5,900 39
Owhyhee to Rialejo do. 4,700 29
------ ---
Totals 19,900 120
------ ---
Eight boats would perform this work, giving two mails each month:
cost, 76,000_l._; yearly charges, 33,600_l._
_Owhyhee to Sydney._ (p. 061)
Geo. Miles. Days.
Owhyhee to Sydney, N. S. Wales 4,600 24
Stop at Sydney " 3
Sydney to Otaheite, say 3,900 25
Otaheite to Owhyhee 2,250 13
------ --
Totals 10,750 65
------ --
Six packets (one to spare) would perform this work between Owhyhee and
Sydney, giving two mails each month: cost, 57,000_l._; yearly charges,
25,200_l._ Admitting that the packets on the Owhyhee and Sydney line
take longer time than is here stated, they would still be in time to
reach Owhyhee by the time that the Canton mail came up; which in its
course with Owhyhee is calculated to be 91 days. In fact, there is
thus time sufficient to allow the Owhyhee and Sydney packet time to
communicate with Hobart Town, and to call at Otaheite in her outward
voyage; as she will do, and, in fact, from the course which she must
take, she may and can do, in her return voyage, without any
inconvenience or delay whatever.
The next plan is, to consider the communications alluded to as to be
carried on by making Christmas Island the central point of
arrangement; thus:--
_Rialejo to Christmas Isle._
Geo. Miles. Days.
Rialejo to Christmas Isle 4000 21
Christmas Isle to Sydney, N. S. Wales 3650 20
Stop at Sydney " 3
Sydney to Christmas Isle, by Otaheite 5100 35
Christmas Isle to Rialejo, by Owhyhee 5800 35
------ ---
Totals 15,500 114
------ ---
Eight packets would perform this work, giving two mails each month:
cost, 76,000_l._; yearly charges, 35,600_l._
_Christmas Isle to Canton._ (p. 062)
Geo. Miles. Days.
Christmas Isle to Canton 5250 26
Stop at Canton " 3
Canton to Christmas Isle, by Owhyhee
route 6900 46
------ --
Totals 12,150 75
Eight packets would perform this work, giving two mails each month:
cost 76,000_l._; yearly charges, 33,600_l._; which shows that it takes
one packet more by this arrangement than would be required by the
other.
Keeping the stations altogether separate, the following would be the
periods and number of packets required, premising that the packets
would return to the point of departure on the west coast of America,
nearly in the dotted lines which are laid down on the accompanying
Chart:--
_Rialejo to Canton._
Geo. Miles. Days.
Rialejo to Owhyhee 4100 22
Owhyhee to Canton 5200 27
Stop at Canton " 2
Canton to Rialejo (circuitous) 10,000 59
------ ---
Totals 19,300 110
Eight packets would perform this work, giving two mails each month;
first cost, 76,000_l._; yearly charges, 33,600_l._
_Rialejo to Sydney, New South Wales._
Geo. Miles. Days.
Rialejo to Otaheite 4100 22
Otaheite to Sydney 3400 19
Stop at Sydney " 3
Sydney to Rialejo, by N. Point, New
Zealand 8500 51
------ --
Totals 16,000 95
Examining attentively the three preceding routes of communication, (p. 063)
it is plain that, in point of expense, the last, namely, that which
gives two establishments, is not more than the most eligible of the
other two, while in point of time it is considerably the quickest. The
packets going out and returning twice each month, or every _fifteen_
days, it follows that, on every route, their voyages divide into
periods of that duration. In the more distant, such as the routes at
present under consideration, their voyages, in order to coincide and
to meet with the return mails at any given point, will run, say, 90
days, 105 days, 120 days, &c.; and within the latter-mentioned number
the mail from Canton must return to Jamaica, to secure, without extra
loss of time, a packet bound to England.
Seven packets would perform this work, giving two mails each month;
first cost, 66,500_l._; yearly charges, 29,200_l._; which is one
packet more than the Owhyhee plan requires; but that station would
require one spare packet, making _fifteen_ for the whole, which thus
makes both stations equal, but without the combination which the
Owhyhee station gives.
This arrangement for the Pacific would, in whichever way it may be
taken, save the whole proposed steam communication from Ceylon
eastward to Canton and New South Wales; which saving, either on the
Mediterranean or Cape of Good Hope lines, would be, eight steamers and
one sailing vessel--capital, 199,500_l._, and yearly charges about
130,000_l._; thus reducing very greatly indeed the cost of the
subsequent plan projected for the Eastern world. Even at the outset,
the mails, parcels, and passengers on the Pacific station, would, it
is believed, pay the expenses as here stated:--
Fixed Capital. Yearly Charges.
Pacific Departments £142,500 £63,000
THE MEDITERRANEAN, EAST INDIES, &c. &c. (p. 064)
I. _Falmouth and the Mediterranean._
To extend the mail communications between Great Britain and all places
in the Mediterranean, and more especially with the more distant parts
of that sea, which will go to connect more closely British
communications with the East Indies and countries situated still more
to the eastward, is now, more than ever, become a national object,
and, it may be added, a national duty. France seems to be actively
extending mail communications, in that sea, to all places, as well to
those under her immediate sway as to others; and if allowed to do so
without any rival, it becomes obvious that, with the command of all
the channels of communication, she will obtain such a monopoly of
political influence as will give her the monopoly of political power
also in that quarter of the world. Such a result cannot fail to prove
highly injurious to all the great commercial and political interests
of Great Britain; and this result ought to be guarded against and
prevented even at a considerable sacrifice, if a sacrifice were
necessary, but which it is not.
Two mails each month between Great Britain and the Mediterranean are
indispensably necessary, otherwise the conveyance of both letters and
despatches, and passengers, will generally be quicker by private ships
and other similar conveyances which may offer. The route can be from
Falmouth to Alexandria direct, by Lisbon, Cadiz, Gibraltar, Palermo,
and Malta; at the latter place dropping the outward mails for the
Ionian Islands, Athens, and Constantinople; to be forwarded immediately
by a branch steam-boat, which will return to Malta from (p. 065)
Constantinople, &c. with the return mails for England, &c. &c. to be
forwarded by the Alexandria and Falmouth steamers, returning by way of
Malta, Palermo, Gibraltar, Cadiz, and Lisbon; a good sailing vessel
being employed to convey the outward and the inward mails to and from
Zante to the other Ionian Islands. It would take the Constantinople
steamer from Malta too much out of her way to call at any other of
these islands but the one mentioned.
As the Falmouth and Mediterranean department is in every point of view
a most important station, so it may be rendered a profitable one;
because it will connect itself with the East Indian communication, and
consequently a very great additional number of passengers, letters,
parcels, &c. will be obtained. Calling at Lisbon, Cadiz, Gibraltar,
Palermo, and Malta in the way out to, and in the way home from
Alexandria, steam-boats sufficiently powerful (240-horse power) would
complete the voyage in 45 days from London to London, including all
necessary stoppages.
Three powerful steamers would do this work, giving two mails each
month. The capital necessary to purchase these would be 72,000_l._ The
annual expenditure for these three boats, on this station, would
be--Wages, provisions, tear and wear, &c. 6,200_l._ each, or
18,600_l._; and for coals, 20,400 tons, 25,600_l._; together,
44,200_l._ Thus each boat on this station would be actively employed
34 days each voyage = 74 monthly, 816 yearly: coals, 25 tons daily =
20,400 tons at 25_s._, 25,600_l._
The route, course, and time, from Alexandria, would be thus:--
Geo. Miles. Days.
Falmouth to Alexandria, by Lisbon, &c. &c. 2985 19
Alexandria to Falmouth, by Malta, &c. &c. 2985 19
Stop at Alexandria 2
London and Falmouth, including day of departure 552 5
---- --
6522 45
---- --
N.B. Seventeen days, at 180 geographical miles per day, gives 3060
miles--the real distance is 2985.
2. _Malta and Constantinople._ (p. 066)
From Malta a branch steam-boat may proceed with the mails for the
Ionian Islands, and touching at Zante to land these, proceed thence to
Athens, and thence to Constantinople with the outward mails. From
Constantinople this boat will return, by Athens and Zante, to Malta,
with the return mails for the Alexandria and Falmouth packets. The
distance from Malta to Alexandria and back is 1650 miles, and by the
course already pointed out, the distance from Malta to Constantinople
and back is not materially different. Consequently, one good steamer
would perform the work in the same time as is requisite to go to
Alexandria and return. This boat would be, each voyage, ten days at
sea; stopping two days at Constantinople: which is 20 days monthly;
240 days yearly; requiring 5000 tons of coals, 6250_l._, and 6200_l._
more for wages, provisions, insurance, tear and wear; together
12,450_l._ per annum.
EAST-INDIAN DEPARTMENT.
3. _Alexandria and Suez._
The distance from the former to the latter place is 170 geographical
miles. This might, under prompt and proper regulations, be performed
in two days. The first portion of the distance is from Alexandria to
Cairo, about 100 miles by water, and the second is from Cairo to Suez
across the desert, about 70 miles. What the expense of transporting
mails, passengers, &c. over this distance would be, it is difficult to
state, but let it be taken as an approximation at 5000_l._ per annum.
4. _Suez to Bombay._ (p. 067)
The mail communications by steam might readily and with great
advantage be extended to this quarter of the world, and to this
important portion of the British empire. Nor need the channel of
communication stop at the East Indies, but proceed on until it
includes within its range Batavia, China, and New South Wales. The
further the line is extended, and the more its ramifications are
combined and connected, the greater will the advantages, and the more
ample the remuneration, be to whoever undertakes the work. The
commercial and political concerns and interests connected with these
vast portions of the globe, are well known to be immense, and of the
first-rate importance, while no European power is so much interested
in these as Great Britain. With these remarks the manner in which the
communications alluded to can be effected and carried on remains to be
pointed out. The route, periods, and distances from Alexandria, would
be as follows, premising that the price of coals in all these Eastern
stations will be considerably higher than in the stations in the
Western World, as these coals may have to be carried to the different
places by the circuitous navigation of the Cape of Good Hope. Still,
calculating the whole to be brought from Europe, these may be obtained
at the average price of 40_s._ per ton; while 10 per cent. additional,
for all supplies and wages, may be added to the sum taken for
expenditure in the stations in the western hemisphere, as required in
every place to the eastward of the Cape of Good Hope. And at these
rates all the subsequent estimates are formed.
Geo. Miles. Days.
Alexandria to Suez, by Cairo 170 2
Suez to Babelmandel, by Mocha 1205 6
Stop at Mocha, coals 2
Babelmandel to Bombay, by Aden or Socotora 1630 8
Stop at Bombay 2
Bombay to Alexandria, same route 3005 18
---- --
Totals 6010 38
---- --
Three powerful steamers would perform this work, giving two mails (p. 068)
each month--at sea 42 days each voyage = 48 monthly = 1008 yearly;
coals at 25 tons daily, 25,200 tons, at 40_s._ 50,400_l._
5. _Aden or Socotora to Mauritius._
The steamer for Bombay could, without material difficulty, drop mails
for the Mauritius at Socotora. To do so at Aden, on the Arabian coast,
would add to the distance 500 miles, which is a material objection.
From Socotora to the Mauritius is 1850 geographical miles. Two good
sailing vessels (brigantine class) would be sufficient for the work of
carrying the Mauritius mails between Socotora and that island. The
time each way may be fairly taken at 15 days, and two days to stop at
Port Louis, gives 32 days for the voyage. The cost of these vessels
should be about 4000_l._ each, and their expenditure, say, 2000_l._
each, or 4000_l._ per annum. The time from London to the Mauritius by
this route would be 48 days, and the same time to return, making the
mail communication between the two places 105 days.
6. _Bombay to Calcutta, by Ceylon._
One steam-boat would carry all the mails for the East Indies, &c. from
Suez to Bombay; and from thence another steam-boat would proceed to
Calcutta by Trincomalee, calling at Mangalore, and other places in the
west coast of Hindostan, and dropping at Trincomalee the mails for all
places more to the eastward. Going by Bombay, instead of going direct
from Babelmandel to Ceylon, only increases the distance about 270
miles, while the vast expense of having additional and separate boats
is saved. From Trincomalee, the steamer, both in going to and
returning from Calcutta, could, without inconvenience or delay, call
at Pondicherry and Madras. Should the time occupied by the steamers
from Bombay to Calcutta by this route exceed the time occupied by the
post to travel from the former to the latter by land, then in that
case the European mails from Calcutta could be forwarded by land, (p. 069)
while the passengers, parcels, &c. could go round by the steamer, the
difference, in point of time, being not above a day or two at most.
The route, time, and distance from Bombay to Calcutta, would be
thus:--
Geo. miles. Days.
Bombay to Trincomalee 1258 7
Stop at Trincomalee 2
Trincomalee to Calcutta, by Madras, &c. 1010 5
Stop at Calcutta 2
Calcutta to Bombay, same route 2268 12
---- --
Totals 4536 28
---- --
Two powerful boats would perform this work, giving two mails each
month. Each would be at sea 24 days each voyage = 48 monthly = 576
yearly: 25 tons coals daily = 14,400 tons yearly, 28,800_l._ Cost of
boats, 48,000_l._; yearly expenses, 6820_l._ each, 13,640_l._;
together with coals, 42,440_l._
7 & 8. _Trincomalee to Canton, by Batavia_.
At Trincomalee, a steamer would take up the mails for the remainder of
the Eastern World, both from Europe and from India, and proceed by
Batavia to Canton. At Batavia, this boat would deposit the mails for
New South Wales and Singapore; the former to be forwarded by other
steamers, and the latter by a good sailing schooner, which could
always accomplish her work so as to be in time for the return steamer,
and for the next outward mails; the distance from Batavia to Singapore
being 475 miles, thus:
Three, or even four days, out; three to stop, and four back; together
11 days. The nearest way to Canton from Trincomalee is by Nicobar and
Singapore, distance, 2880 miles; whereas the distance by Batavia is
3535 miles; but then it must be remembered, that Batavia is the most
important station, and 475 miles nearer New South Wales than
Singapore. Hence Batavia appears to be the most eligible point of (p. 070)
communication for the steamers.
From Trincomalee to Canton, the route and time will be thus:--
Geo. miles. Days.
Trincomalee to Batavia, by Straits of
Sunda 1750 9
Stop at Batavia, coals, &c. 2
Batavia to Canton 1830 9
Stop at Canton 2, Batavia 2 4
Canton to Trincomalee, by Batavia 3580 18
---- --
Totals 7160 42
---- --
Three boats would perform this work, giving two mails each month. Each
boat would be at sea 36 days each voyage = 72 monthly = 864 yearly: 25
tons coals daily, 21,600 tons yearly--43,200_l._ At Trincomalee, a
spare boat would require to be stationed, in case of accidents, which
would make four for the station; prime cost, 96,000_l._, and one
sailing-vessel, 2,000_l._ The yearly charges for provisions, wages,
&c. &c. will be 6820_l._ each, and 1000_l._ for the sailing-vessel is
28,280_l._, which, together with the expense of coals, amount to
71,480_l._
9. _Batavia to Sydney, New South Wales, by Swan River._
At Batavia, steamers could take up the European, the Indian, and the
Chinese mails, and proceed on to Sydney, New South Wales, by Swan
River and Hobart Town, &c. thus:
Geo. miles. Days.
Batavia to Swan River 1745 9
Stop at ditto, coals 2
Swan River to Hobart Town 1770 9
Stop at ditto 1
Hobart Town to Sydney 570 3
Stop at Sydney, coals, &c. 3
Ditto at Hobart Town and Swan
River, returning 3
Sydney, by Hobart Town, &c. to Batavia 4085 21
---- --
Totals 8170 51
---- --
Three boats would perform this work, giving two mails each month; (p. 071)
but in case of accidents, there would require to be one spare boat on
the station, to be stationed either at Batavia or Sydney. The cost of
the four would be 96,000_l._ Each boat actively employed would be at
sea 42 days each voyage = 84 monthly = 1008 yearly: 25 tons coals daily
is 25,200 tons yearly, at 40_s._, 50,400_l._ The yearly expenditure of
each boat besides would be 6820_l._; for four, 27,280_l._, together
with coals, 77,680_l._
It is unnecessary to dwell on the immense advantages which such a plan
of mail communications as this would give to the commercial world in
general, and to the commercial interests of the United Kingdom in
particular. These would be incalculably great, both to the governments
and to the people. To complete the scheme, it would be requisite to
have more than one station at which boats and machinery could be
repaired. These would require to be Malta, in the Mediterranean,
Bombay, Trincomalee, Batavia, and Sydney, in all five places; the
salaries, &c. for superintendents, rents, and rent coal depôts, could
not be less than 2000_l._ per annum at each, or 10,000_l._ The expense
for workmen and materials are included in the 5 per cent. allowed for
tear and wear in the annual expenditure for each boat.
The yearly expenditure for the whole Plan, in all its parts, would
consequently be as follows, and under the respective heads as here
enumerated.
_Abstract._
No. 1. Falmouth to Alexandria, by Lisbon, &c.
2. Malta to Constantinople, by Zante, &c.
3. Alexandria to Suez, by Cairo.
4. Suez to Bombay, by Mocha.
5. Socotora to Mauritius.
6. Bombay to Calcutta, by Ceylon.
7 & 8. Trincomalee to Canton, by Batavia, &c.
9. Batavia to Sydney, New South Wales, by Swan River, &c.
10. Coal depôts, and stations for repairs.
_Expenditure by Steam Power, &c._ (p. 072)
--------+-------+-------+-------+-------+-------+--------+------+-------
| |Provi- | | | | | |Number
Number | Fixed | sions |Tons of| Price |Cost of| Total |Number| of
of |Capital|Wages, | Coals | Coals | Coals |Expendi-| of |Sailing
Station.| re- | &c. |Yearly.| per |Yearly.| ture |Steam-| Ves-
|quired.|Yearly.| | ton. | | Yearly.| ers. | sels.
--------+-------+-------+-------+-------+-------+--------+------+-------
| £ | £ | | s. | £ | £ | |
1 | 72,000| 18,600| 20,400| 25 | 25,600| 44,200| 3 | "
2 | 24,000| 6,200| 5,000| " | 6,250| 12,450| 1 | "
3 | " | 5,000| " | " | " | 5,000| " | "
4 | 72,000| 20,460| 25,200| 40 | 50,400| 70,860| 3 | "
5 | 8,000| 4,000| " | " | " | 4,000| " | 2
6 | 48,000| 13,640| 14,400| " | 28,800| 42,240| 2 | "
7 & 8 | 98,000| 28,280| 21,600| " | 43,200| 71,480| 4 | 1
9 | 96,000| 27,280| 25,200| " | 50,400| 77,680| 4 | "
10 | " | 10,000| | " | " | 10,000| " | "
|-------+-------+-------| |-------+--------+------+-------
|418,000|133,460|111,800| |204,650| 337,910| 17 | 3
| | | | | 68,000| 68,000| |
|-------+-------+-------| |-------+--------+------+-------
|418,000|133,460|111,800| |136,650| 269,910| 17 | 3
--------+-------+-------+-------+-------+-------+--------+------+-------
The return boat from Alexandria ought not to leave that place until
the Eastern mails come up from Suez.
The course of post under this arrangement between London and
Alexandria, would be 45 days; between London and Constantinople, the
same; between London and Bombay, 90 days; London and Calcutta, 120
days; London and Canton, 150 days; London and Batavia, 120 days;
London and Swan River, 150 days; London and Sydney, New South Wales,
180 days, &c. &c.
II.
ANOTHER PLAN, BY WAY OF THE CAPE OF GOOD HOPE.
The above Plan is attended with considerable risk, inasmuch as
convulsions in Egypt, and on the shores of the Red Sea about Suez and
Mocha, and war in the Mediterranean, might cut off altogether (p. 073)
the communications with the whole Eastern World, according to the
route which has been laid down. To prevent such a result is an object
of great importance, providing it can be effected without a serious
sacrifice as to time, or expenditure of money. To have such vitally
important communications as free from being disturbed by the march of
war as possible, is not only desirable, but indispensable, on the part
of Great Britain. This may be effected by going out by the Cape of
Good Hope.
Adopting this route would connect all the Eastern transmarine
possessions of Great Britain in one chain, with scarcely a link in the
line of communication being dependent upon foreigners, except one or
two, which the naval power of Great Britain could always command and
control in case of emergency. The course here alluded to would
lengthen the course of post to Bombay and Calcutta, &c. to a
considerable extent; but in every part of the proposed new line, coals
could always be procured more cheap and readily than in any quarter
near the Red Sea. The following details, however, will place the time
and expense in a clear point of view, and enable any one to contrast
at a glance the two routes, and the difference which in time and
expenditure will exist and remain between them.
1. _Falmouth to Cape Verde._
The steam-boat with all the Indian mails would go from Falmouth by
Madeira to Cape Verde, thus:--
Geo. Miles. Days.
Falmouth to Madeira 1170 6
Stop at Madeira, coals 1
Madeira to Cape Verde 1130 6
Stop at Cape Verde, coals 2
Cape Verde to Falmouth 2300 12
Stop at Madeira, returning, coals 1
---- --
Totals 4600 28
---- --
Two steam-boats, actively employed, would perform this work, (p. 074)
giving two mails each month. Each boat would be at sea 24 days each
voyage = 48 monthly = 576 yearly:--coals, at 25 tons daily = 14,400
tons yearly, at 20_s._ 14,400_l._
2. _Cape Verde to the Cape of Good Hope._
The route and time from Cape Verde to the Cape of Good Hope will be--
Geo. Miles. Days.
Cape Verde to Ascension 1530 8
Ascension to St. Helena 655 3
St. Helena to Cape of Good Hope 1720 9
Stop at Ascension and St. Helena twice 4
Cape of Good Hope to Cape Verde 3905 20
---- --
7810 44
---- --
Three boats, actively employed, would perform this work, giving two
mails each month; but in case of accidents, it would be advisable to
have one spare boat at St. Helena, or Cape Verde, making four at this
station, or six in all between Falmouth and the Cape of Good Hope. The
three boats actively employed would be at sea 40 days each voyage = 80
monthly = 960 yearly. Coals at 25 tons daily = 24,000 tons yearly, at
25_s._, 30,000_l._
3. _Cape of Good Hope to the Mauritius._
From the Cape, the steamers will proceed with all the mails to the
eastward, calling at Algoa Bay and Bourbon, and next to the Mauritius.
From the Mauritius it will proceed to Point de Galle, where it will
deposit the mails for Bombay, and afterwards proceed to Trincomalee,
from whence it will return by way of Point de Galle to the Mauritius,
with the return mails for Europe. It would take the Bombay mails
unreasonably out of the way to proceed from the Mauritius direct (p. 075)
to Trincomalee. The route, time, and distance for this boat, would be
as under:--
Geo. Miles. Days.
Cape of Good Hope to Mauritius 2280 12
Stop at Mauritius 2
Mauritius to Cape of Good Hope 2280 12
---- --
Totals 4560 26
---- --
Two boats would perform this service, giving two mails each month;
each 24 days at sea each voyage = 48 monthly = 576 yearly. Coals, 25
tons daily, 14,300 tons yearly, at 40_s._ 28,600_l._; other charges,
13,640_l._ yearly; cost boats, 48,000_l._
4. _Mauritius, to Point de Galle and Trincomalee, Ceylon._
Geo. Miles. Days.
Mauritius to Point de Galle 2080 11
Point de Galle to Trincomalee 280 1-1/2
Trincomalee to Mauritius, same route 2360 12-1/2
---- ------
Totals 4720 25
---- ------
Two steam-boats, actively employed, would perform this work, giving
two mails each month; but in the event of accidents, there would
require to be a spare boat on this station, either at Trincomalee or
Point de Galle, as may seem advisable, and as assistance may be
required for the Mauritius, Bombay, &c. line. The two boats actively
engaged would be at sea each on each voyage, 27 days = 54 monthly =
648 yearly. Coals daily, 25 tons = 16,200 tons yearly, at 40_s._,
32,400_l._ Three boats yearly, other expenses, 20,640_l._ This station
will require three boats; and one for the Calcutta station--together
four.[15]
[Footnote 15: By making the four steamers on the
route between the Cape of Good Hope and Ceylon,
run--two from the Cape to Mauritius, and two from
Mauritius to Point de Galle, the boats on the
eastern side of the Mauritius would regularly have
eight days, and those on the western side six days
each month to rest; and furthermore, be always
prepared to start whenever a steamer from either
quarter with mails came up. In a similar manner,
the boats which are to run between Falmouth and the
Cape of Good Hope could be divided; by which means,
besides being always ready when wanted, they also
would have more time to rest. Two may run from
Falmouth to Cape Verde, 2300 miles; three from Cape
Verde to the Cape of Good Hope, 3850 miles; with
one, the fourth, to take by turns a voyage from
Cape Verde to the Cape of Good Hope, and a voyage
from Cape Verde to Falmouth, in order to relieve
the others. Sufficient time for rest would thus be
obtained. Moreover, by combining the East Indian
Department with the Plan for the Western World by
Fayal to Pernambuco, three steamers would be saved.
The Indian steamers to branch off at the latter
place for the Cape. The distance would, in this
way, be increased about 1000 miles; but considering
the winds and currents in the course which these
steamers would take, it would not make three days
more, if so much, in the outward voyage, and in the
homeward voyage probably not so much; while the
advantages would be considerable, and the saving
great.]
5. _Point de Galle to Bombay._ (p. 076)
A steamer would proceed from Point de Galle to Bombay, calling at
Mangalore, &c. and returning to Point de Galle by the same route with
all the return mails. The route and time would be--
Geo. Miles. Days.
Point de Galle to Bombay, by Mangalore 880 4-1/2
Stop at Bombay, &c. 3
Bombay to Point de Galle 880 4-1/2
----- -----
Totals 1760 12
----- ----
One boat would do all this work, giving two mails each month. At
Sea each voyage 8 days = 16 monthly = 192 yearly. Coals 25 tons
daily = 4,800 tons yearly, at 40_s._, 9,600_l._ Other charges,
6,820_l._--together 16,400_l._
6. _Trincomalee to Calcutta._
A steamer would proceed from Trincomalee to Calcutta and back, calling
in going and returning at Pondicherry and Madras. The route and time
would be thus:--
Geo. Miles. Days.
Trincomalee to Madras 300 1-1/2
Madras to Calcutta 735 3-1/2
Stop at Calcutta, Coals, &c. 2
Calcutta to Trincomalee, same route 1035 5
---- --
Totals 2070 12
One steam-boat would perform this work, giving two mails each (p. 077)
month; at sea each voyage 12 days[16] = 24 monthly = 288 yearly.
Coals, 25 tons daily = 7200 tons yearly, at 40_s._, 14,400_l._ Other
charges, 6820_l._--together 21,220_l._ per annum.
[Footnote 16: The time here is only ten days; but
the calculation was made for a different division
of the mails, and it has not been thought necessary
to alter it.
The time in which the different distances may be
run has been here stated, but the necessary
arrangements for the arrivals and departures of the
mails will, in some instances, extend that time.
These arrangements resolve the periods into--say
45, 60, 75, 90, 105, 120, &c. &c. days. Thus, if
the mails between Alexandria and Bombay cannot be
back at Alexandria, as they really cannot be,
within 30 days, the object to come up with the
regular return Mediterranean mail for England is
equally attained if it is back at Alexandria within
45 days; and the same principle applies equally to
every other station.]
From Trincomalee eastward to Batavia, Canton, and New South Wales, the
routes, periods, distances, and expenses, would be exactly the same as
those which have already been pointed out in the plan of having the
communications by the Red Sea, under heads Nos. 7, 8, 9, and 10.
Bringing the whole into one table, the total amount is ascertained,
and the difference of expenditure in the one route over the other
becomes distinctly known.
In order, however, to bring the whole into a tabular form, it is
necessary to recapitulate and particularize the different heads,
thus:--
1. Falmouth to Cape Verde.
2. Cape Verde (Mayo) to Cape of Good Hope.
3. Cape of Good Hope to Mauritius.
4. Mauritius to Ceylon, Point de Galle.
5. Ceylon, Point de Galle, to Bombay.
6. Ceylon to Calcutta, by Madras.
7. Trincomalee to Canton, by Batavia.
8. Batavia to Singapore.
9. Batavia to Sydney, New South Wales, by Swan River.
10. Coal Depôts, and places to repair boats.
_Expenditure by the Cape of Good Hope._ (p. 078)
|------|--------|-------|--------|------|-------|--------|------|-------|
| | | | | | | | | |
|Number|Fixed |Provi- |Tons of |Price |Cost of| Total |Number|Number |
|of |Capital | sions,|Coals |of |Coals |Expendi-| of | of |
|Sta- |required|Wages |Yearly. |Coals |Yearly.| ture |Stea- |Sailing|
|tions.| | &c. | |per | |Yearly. | mers |Ves- |
| | |Yearly.| |Ton | | | |sels. |
|------|--------|-------|--------|------|-------|--------|------|-------|
| | £ | £ | | _s._ | £ | £ | | |
| 1 | 48,000 | 12,400| 14,400 | 20 | 14,400| 26,800 | 2 | " |
| 2 | 96,000 | 24,800| 24,000 | 25 | 30,000| 54,800 | 4 | " |
| 3 | 48,000 | 13,640| 14,300 | 40 | 28,600| 42,240 | 2 | " |
| 4 | 72,000 | 20,640| 16,200 | " | 32,400| 53,040 | 3 | " |
| 5 | 24,000 | 6,820| 4,800 | " | 9,600| 16,400 | 1 | " |
| 6 | 48,000 | 13,640| 7,200 | " | 14,400| 28,040 | 2 | " |
|7--10 |194,000 | 65,560| 46,800 | " | 93,600|159,160 | 8 | 1 |
| |--------|-------|--------| |-------|--------|------|-------|
| [17]|530,000 |157,500|127,700 | |223,000|380,480 | 22 | 1 |
| | | | | | 71,442| 71,442 | | |
| |--------|-------|--------| |-------|--------|------|-------|
| |530,000 |157,500|127,700 | |151,558|309,038 | 22 | 1 |
| Sub.|418,000 |133,400|111,800 | |136,650|269,910 | 17 | 3 |
| |--------|-------|--------| |-------|--------|------|-------|
| Diff.|112,000 | 24,100| 15,900 | | 14,908| 39,128 | 5 | 2 |
|------|--------|-------|--------|------|-------|--------|------|-------|
[Footnote 17: The same remark regarding the cost of
steamers, will apply here, that has been made in
the Plan proposed for the Western World.]
The first deduction is the sum for the saving in quantity and price of
coals, as aftermentioned; the last sum shows the difference of cost
and expenditure of the route by the Red Sea, as compared with the
route by the Cape of Good Hope; bearing in mind, however, that the
expense of the establishment from Falmouth to Alexandria would still
remain, admitting that the route by the Cape of Good Hope was adopted.
In the preceding calculation of expenses, the amount is taken
calculating that the work is to be done wholly by steam, and at the
average rate of 200 geographical miles per day. The use of sails,
however, will propel a vessel at the average rate of 2-1/2 miles per
hour throughout a general voyage; consequently, _one-fourth_ should
be deducted from the quantity of coals used. This will amount to (p. 079)
31,935 tons, value 44,587_l._, less 10 per cent. allowed for wastage
on the whole, is 12,770 tons, 17,795_l._, which leaves the net saving
of 26,792_l._ Next, the value of coals supplied to the eastward of the
Cape of Good Hope is calculated at 40_s._ per ton, as received from
Europe. But coals may be supplied in all places to the eastward of the
Cape of Good Hope at 30_s._ per ton, thus:--They can be purchased
excellent, and in abundance, at 9_s._ per ton at Sydney, New South
Wales. Ships coming from that place to ports in the East Indies, and
the Mauritius, for freight, would carry these coals, and be glad to
convey and to sell them at 30_s._ per ton, a profit of 21_s._, instead
of making nothing, as at present. A further deduction, therefore, of
10_s._ per ton, or one-fourth in value, on the quantity used to the
eastward of the Cape, is to be made, which will amount to 44,650_l._,
and which, together with the above balance of 26,792_l._, makes the
sum of 71,442_l._ to be deducted from the total amount of expenditure.
Next, as to the rate of speed--it is calculated throughout the voyage,
at the rate of 200 geographical miles per day. In running before the
wind, and with the monsoons, the vessels would make more, and in
working against them, less; still, on the whole voyage, or from the
Cape, for example, to Calcutta, and from Calcutta to the Cape again,
the time specified would be sufficient for the work and the distance;
while in taking a circuitous course to avoid the force of the
monsoons, the steamers would make up by increased speed for the
increased distance. The N. E. monsoon may, at anytime, be stemmed by a
steamer of large power, and such as is now recommended. The S. W.,
which is the most formidable, may be overcome by the boats on their
return,--if by the Red Sea, by making first a course to the southward,
and then standing N. W. with the monsoon on their beam. By the Cape of
Good Hope, the difficulty would be decreased in this respect, as the
boats running southward to gain the Mauritius from Ceylon, would, by
keeping to the southward, soon get out of their vortex; while the
steamers between Bombay and Ceylon have only to keep in shore to avoid
the greatest force of the monsoon either way, and from either quarter.
In crossing from the Red Sea to Bombay, the strength of the N. E. (p. 080)
monsoon would be avoided by keeping in with the Arabian, and afterwards
with the eastern Asiatic coast.
Taking the line of communication, therefore, between Great Britain and
the Eastern World, by the Cape of Good Hope, the expense beyond that
which the line of communication by the Mediterranean and the Red Sea
would occasion, would be, in capital, 112,000_l._, and in yearly
expenditure, 39,128_l._ The point to consider is, will the advantages,
and the security to be obtained by taking the former in preference to
the latter route, prove a sufficient compensation for, and a warrant
to go to the additional and increased expense? The answer, minutely
considering every circumstance, will be, that they are. The
obstruction which the land barrier between Alexandria and Suez offers,
and must always offer, even when unobstructed by hostile force, to the
conveyance of parcels, packages, and goods, is a great drawback
indeed. The competition, also, by steamers belonging to other parties
and states, would, as regards all these, be a great drawback on this
line; and to which must be added, the increased difficulties and
drawbacks which would arise in the event of hostilities taking place
between any of the great powers connected with the affairs of the
Mediterranean. On the other hand, the free communication which would
be had,--free also as it would be, or nearly so, from any serious
competition by the Cape of Good Hope, the carriage of every thing
being in almost every point and place under the British flag and
revenue laws--would render this line much more profitable than the
line by Egypt and the Red Sea could ever be.
The coal depôts for the lines by the First Plan would be--Gibraltar,
Malta, Constantinople, Alexandria, Mocha or Socotora, Bombay,
Trincomalee, Calcutta, Batavia, Canton, Swan River, Hobart Town, and
Sydney: and for the lines by the second plan, Madeira, Cape Verde,
Ascension, St. Helena, Cape of Good Hope, Mauritius, Bombay, Point de
Galle or Trincomalee, Calcutta, Batavia, Canton, Swan River, Hobart
Town, and Sydney.
The course of post between London and the different places here
stated, taking the route by the Cape of Good Hope, would be--London
and Sydney, New South Wales, 195 days; London and Swan River, 165 (p. 081)
days; London and Canton, 165 days; London and Batavia, 135 days;
London and Calcutta, 135 days; London and Bombay, 135 days; London and
the Mauritius, 105 days; and London and the Cape of Good Hope, 75
days, &c. &c., but in working the scheme some stoppages may perhaps be
cut off.
_Income by the Mediterranean._
Passengers:--Falmouth to Alexandria, 48 voyages, at 50
each, 30_l._ £72,000
Malta to Constantinople, 48 ditto, at 15 each, 10_l._ 7,200
Suez to Bombay, 48 ditto, at 20 each, 55_l._ 53,600
Ditto to Calcutta and Madras, &c. 48 do. at 25 each, 65_l._ 78,000
Ditto to Mauritius, 48 ditto, at 10 each, 55_l._ 24,400
--------
Total £235,200
Deduct finding ditto, one-third 78,400
--------
Remain clear £156,800
Freights--Parcels, Packages, and Goods, say 57,600
Freight--Specie, suppose 20,000
Government Troops, Stores, &c. 35,000
Ditto, carrying all Mails and Despatches 80,000
--------
£349,400
Deduct expenditure £269,910
Sinking Fund. 10 per cent. 41,400
-------- 311,310
--------
Balance gain £38,090
--------
_Income by Cape of Good Hope._ (p. 082)
Passengers:--Falmouth to Bombay, 48 voyages, at 20
each = 960, at 80_l._ £76,800
Ditto to Calcutta and Madras, &c. 48 ditto, at 25 each
= 1200, at 90_l._ 108,800
Mauritius to Calcutta & Madras, &c. 48 ditto, at 10
each = 480, at 60_l._ 28,800
East Indies to Batavia, China, &c. 48 voyages, at 15
each = 720, at 40_l._ 28,800
New South Wales and Falmouth, 48 voyages, at 10
each = 480, at 120. 57,600
Madeira, St. Helena, Cape of Good Hope, and Coasting
voyages, India, 48 voyages, and 48 Ceylon and
Calcutta, together, say yearly 28,800
New South Wales coastways, 48 voyages, at 10 each,
average 12_l._ 5,760
--------
Total £335,360
Deduct for finding _one-third_ 111,786
--------
Balance gain £223,574
Freights--Parcels, Packages, Fine Goods, 48 voyages,
150 tons each, average at 15_l._ per ton of
tonnage £108,000
Freight--Specie, say 35,000
Government Troops, Stores, &c. 35,000
Ditto Mails, Despatches 90,000
------- 268,000
-------
Total 491,574
Deduct expenditure £309,038
Sinking Fund, to replace Capital, 10
per cent 52,900
Sundries, Port Charges, &c. 20,000
------- 381,938
--------
Balance gain £109,636
--------
GEOGRAPHICAL OBSERVATIONS ON THE ISTHMUS OF AMERICA, (p. 083)
AND THE PRACTICABILITY OF
A COMMUNICATION WITH CHINA AND NEW SOUTH WALES WESTWARD THROUGH IT.
A ready and safe communication with these important places, and at the
same time with all the most eastern parts of Asia, with all the
Islands in the Pacific Ocean, and with all the western coasts of the
great continent of America, it will be readily allowed, is of the
utmost importance to Great Britain and to the whole civilized world.
Through the isthmus of central America only, a short, safe, and easy
passage from Europe to the eastern parts of Asia and the Pacific
Ocean, can be effected. That a passage over the Pole exists, is
extremely probable, nay, it may be said, is certain. This passage,
when found, will be obtained by standing north between Nova Zembla and
Spitzbergen, and thence over the Pole, inclining first eastward above
Europe, and thence westward for some distance, to Behring's Straits.
But admitting that there is a passage open by this route, it can only
be so from the end of May to the middle of September, and during this
period only comparatively safe; a period much too short to accomplish
a voyage out and back from China, and scarcely sufficient to perform
the voyage out and back between Great Britain and her territories on
the west coast of America situated to the north of Columbia River.
Moreover, even if a passage this way was open for a period sufficient
to enable the navigator to accomplish the voyage to either of the
quarters alluded to, still it will appear, when the distances come (p. 084)
to be noticed and contrasted, that, considering the winds and the
weather which ships would encounter in passing over the North Pole
into the Pacific, as contrasted with those which they would most
certainly meet with in sailing westward through tropical seas, by the
Isthmus of America; that the latter route would, upon the whole, be
the best, and in all respects preferable and most expeditious.
A communication by the latter quarter may be advantageously and
speedily opened up, both for steamers and for sailing vessels; and in
the conveyance of mails, both or either may be employed, as shall
appear to be most eligible and most advisable. To lay open such a
communication as this would prove, is an object of the first
importance, worthy of the attention of any body of men, and of any
nation, but more especially of a nation like Great Britain, to support
and to patronize in every way. By this route, all vessels, mails, and
merchandise could reach the more distant and wealthy parts of Asia and
Australasia, sooner and safer, and through seas comparatively always
tranquil, borne by winds scarcely ever varying, and always favourable,
than these can do by any other course that is known, or that remains
to be discovered. In an especial manner, this would be the case as
regards all the western coasts of America, North and South, the
Islands in the Pacific, New South Wales and Van Dieman's Land, Japan,
China, Eastern Siberia, &c. The perpetual trade-winds would bear
vessels before them from Madeira to Canton, and almost to Sydney,
while in returning they would merely have to run through these
trade-winds, with a steady breeze on the beam, until they reached the
latitude of 30° to 32° north, when the steady and certain, and strong
westerly and south-west winds, would bear them in these parallels
first, to the west coast of America; from which point winds off the
land, and north-easterly trade-winds, would carry them, in the second
place, to the point of communication with the Atlantic, through the
Isthmus of central America; from which they, in the third place, would
run to the north, carried by the trade-winds and the Gulf stream, into
and through the Gulf of Florida, into the variable winds, which would
quickly bear them to all the eastern ports of North America, and (p. 085)
to all the ports in Europe, or along the coasts of the Mediterranean.
By this channel, namely, through the Isthmus of central America, the
valuable, but almost unknown, British territory on the west coast of
North America, would be brought near, and cleared, and cultivated. So
also would the whole remaining western coast of America, from Nootka
Sound to the southern extremity of Chili, be brought near to the
civilized world, and become, in consequence, also peopled, cleared,
and cultivated. Without such a communication is opened up, these
coasts, and states upon them, can scarcely ever be brought to this
state, but to which it is most desirable for the general interests of
the world, and of the human race in it, that they should be brought.
Situated as they are, there is no produce of their soil which their
inhabitants can raise that can bear the expense of carriage to enable
it to come into competition in the general markets of the world, with
similar articles raised in other countries, which are all more
accessible and placed nearer markets; and unless the soil of the
western coasts of America and the islands in the Pacific are brought
into cultivation, and peopled by people more civilized and
industrious, it is obvious that these countries and the states and
population at present in them, must remain in the poor, ignorant,
miserable, and uncultivated state and condition in which they are, of
little service to themselves or to the remainder of the world.
The points where the communication between the Atlantic and the
Pacific are most feasible and practicable, is at one point on the
southern boundaries of the Republic of Mexico, and the others within
the territories of the Republics of Guatemala and Venezuela. The neck
of land, or isthmus, which connects North and South America together,
may be taken to extend from 8° N. lat., in the meridian of 77° W.
long., to the parallel of 18° or 19° N. lat. in the meridian of 100°
W. long. Narrow as the continent of America is in all this space, but
more especially in the southern portion of this space, recent surveys
have reduced it still more; and it is not improbable that, when the
late surveys of the west coasts within the tropics are published, that
it will be found to be still narrower, and more contracted than is (p. 086)
supposed, or than the late accurate surveys by Captain Owen, under the
orders also of the British Government, of the shores of the Gulf of
Mexico, have shown it to be; and consequently the communication
between the Atlantic and the Pacific will be found to be still shorter
and more easy than it has been, or is even now considered to be.
The first two points within the limits above mentioned, where
communications are most practicable, are the following:--_First_, in
the territory of Mexico, from the mouth of the river Guazacoalcos, on
the Gulf of Mexico, to the mouth of the Chimalapa, in the Gulf of
Tehuantepec, on the Pacific, between the parallels of 16-1/2° to
18-1/2° N. lat. The distance from sea to sea at this part is 92
geographical miles, in a south-west direction. The sources of the
streams which flow, the one eastward into the Gulf of Mexico, and the
other westward, into the Pacific, come within the short distance of 20
miles of each other. _Secondly_, The channel from the Gulf of Dolce,
which communicates with the Gulf of Mexico, to the southward of
Honduras or the Balize, to Trinidad, situate on a bay in the Pacific,
to the north of Point Remedios. The distance of the Gulf of Dolce to
the Pacific, at the point just mentioned, is 60 geographical miles,
with the advantages of the courses of rivers which bend their courses
to the opposite oceans. But if it is correct that the River Balize is,
as it has been stated to be, navigable upwards in its cours
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