Geo. Miles. Days.
Mauritius to Point de Galle 2080 11
Point de Galle to Trincomalee 280 1-1/2
Trincomalee to Mauritius, same route 2360 12-1/2
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Totals 4720 25
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Two steam-boats, actively employed, would perform this work, giving
two mails each month; but in the event of accidents, there would
require to be a spare boat on this station, either at Trincomalee or
Point de Galle, as may seem advisable, and as assistance may be
required for the Mauritius, Bombay, &c. line. The two boats actively
engaged would be at sea each on each voyage, 27 days = 54 monthly =
648 yearly. Coals daily, 25 tons = 16,200 tons yearly, at 40_s._,
32,400_l._ Three boats yearly, other expenses, 20,640_l._ This station
will require three boats; and one for the Calcutta station--together
four.[15]
[Footnote 15: By making the four steamers on the
route between the Cape of Good Hope and Ceylon,
run--two from the Cape to Mauritius, and two from
Mauritius to Point de Galle, the boats on the
eastern side of the Mauritius would regularly have
eight days, and those on the western side six days
each month to rest; and furthermore, be always
prepared to start whenever a steamer from either
quarter with mails came up. In a similar manner,
the boats which are to run between Falmouth and the
Cape of Good Hope could be divided; by which means,
besides being always ready when wanted, they also
would have more time to rest. Two may run from
Falmouth to Cape Verde, 2300 miles; three from Cape
Verde to the Cape of Good Hope, 3850 miles; with
one, the fourth, to take by turns a voyage from
Cape Verde to the Cape of Good Hope, and a voyage
from Cape Verde to Falmouth, in order to relieve
the others. Sufficient time for rest would thus be
obtained. Moreover, by combining the East Indian
Department with the Plan for the Western World by
Fayal to Pernambuco, three steamers would be saved.
The Indian steamers to branch off at the latter
place for the Cape. The distance would, in this
way, be increased about 1000 miles; but considering
the winds and currents in the course which these
steamers would take, it would not make three days
more, if so much, in the outward voyage, and in the
homeward voyage probably not so much; while the
advantages would be considerable, and the saving
great.]