_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.