Note 15 — APPENDIX, No. III.—PACIFIC OCEAN.

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.(Back)