_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.