Chapter 7

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.