At Trincomalee, a steamer would take up the mails for the remainder of
the Eastern World, both from Europe and from India, and proceed by
Batavia to Canton. At Batavia, this boat would deposit the mails for
New South Wales and Singapore; the former to be forwarded by other
steamers, and the latter by a good sailing schooner, which could
always accomplish her work so as to be in time for the return steamer,
and for the next outward mails; the distance from Batavia to Singapore
being 475 miles, thus:
Three, or even four days, out; three to stop, and four back; together
11 days. The nearest way to Canton from Trincomalee is by Nicobar and
Singapore, distance, 2880 miles; whereas the distance by Batavia is
3535 miles; but then it must be remembered, that Batavia is the most
important station, and 475 miles nearer New South Wales than
Singapore. Hence Batavia appears to be the most eligible point of (p. 070)
communication for the steamers.