_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
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Total £20,800
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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:--