Royal West India Mail Steam Packet Company, 1841—Number of their
ships—Conditions of mail contract—Large subsidy—Heavy loss during
the first year of their operations—Capital of the Company—Liberal
concessions by Government—Complaints of the public—Improved
prospects of the company from improved management—Contract renewed,
1850—Its conditions—Fresh conditions, 1857—Contract again renewed,
1864—Further renewal, 1874—The steam-ship _Forth_—Losses of
various ships of the company—Causes of these losses—Loss of the
_Amazon_—Terrible sufferings—Loss of the _Demerara_—Additions to
their fleet, and superior class of vessels