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._