STEAM NAVIGATION.
We have in Vol. I. p. 173, alluded to the prospects of a Steam Navigation along the shores of the Pacific Ocean; and we are now happily able to subjoin a few statements on this subject, for the perusal of such of our readers as may not have seen the report of the British merchants and residents at Lima and Callao, upon the subject of opening through Panama a direct communication between Great Britain and the western coast of South America.[66]
The first meeting on this interesting subject was held in Lima on the 12th of August 1836; and on the 7th of September, at a public meeting, the report of the British Merchant Committee was unanimously approved, and ordered to be printed and circulated in English and Spanish. From a pamphlet, accompanied with documents which detail the general plan of the intended operations of the Pacific Steam Navigation Company, printed by J. M. Masias, in Lima, we extract the following authentic information regarding the “Statistics of Trade, and the favourable influence of Steam Navigation.”
“It is only since the dynasty of Spain ceased to exist in South America, that the shores of the Pacific have been thrown open to foreign commerce; and, when it is considered how much these countries have suffered from continued revolutionary convulsions, the rapid advance of commerce and trade is somewhat extraordinary. The following statement of imports is from the best data which could be obtained.
| British | 12,000,000 | dollars. |
| North American | 2,500,000 | |
| French | 1,500,000 | |
| Peninsular | 1,000,000 | |
| Germany, and other places on the continent | 1,250,000 | |
| China, Bengal, and Manilla | 750,000 | |
| Brazil and Buenos Ayres | 300,000 | |
| Total | 19,300,000 | dollars. |
“Of which there is consumed
| In Chile | 4,500,000 | dollars. |
| Peru and Bolivia | 7,500,000 | |
| Equador and New Granada | 1,500,000 | |
| Central America | 2,000,000 | |
| Mexico and California | 3,800,000 | |
| Total | 19,300,000 | dollars. |
“The whale fishery of the Pacific may be estimated as follows:
| North American | 12,500,000 | dollars. |
| British | 5,000,000 | |
| French | 3,000,000 | |
| Total | 20,500,000 | dollars. |
“The whole interest involved, including the Pacific whale fishery, amounts to nearly forty millions of dollars.
“The beneficial influence of steam navigation along the shores of the Pacific, and the opening a communication with Europe and North America, viâ Panama, are subjects of deep interest, not only to those engaged in commerce with the Pacific, but also to the whole commercial world.
“The present state of communication is long and tedious between Peru and Great Britain; it may be averaged at about four months; while, by the proposed route, it will be reduced to little more than one-third that period, viz.
| Lima to Panama | 6 | days. |
| Pacific to Atlantic | 1 | |
| Isthmus to Jamaica, by steam, | 3 | |
| Jamaica to England | 36 | |
| Total number of days | 46 |
“By substituting steam navigation between Jamaica and England, the voyage from Great Britain to Peru could be performed in little more than a month.
“The security which will be given to commerce by this prompt communication, the facilities afforded to merchants in realizing the proceeds of their shipments, the consequent increase of trade, the regularity of advices along the shores of the Pacific, so desirable for British commerce,—are points of universal interest. To the squadrons stationed in those seas an immense advantage will also be gained by the facility of communication and the increased efficiency of their operations. The moral influence to be effected will tend to strengthen and sustain the governments of the respective states against the usurpation of revolutionary demagogues.”
We further beg leave to add, on the same very good authority, the following valuable remarks for the information of those who are unacquainted with the localities of Panama, and the difficulties and facilities to be met with in crossing the Isthmus.
“The seasons are distinguished by rainy season and dry season. From June to November constitutes the former; from November to June the latter. During the rainy season, the journey from the Pacific to the Atlantic can be performed in two days; while, in the dry season, twenty-four hours only are necessary: from the Atlantic to the Pacific, during the rainy season, three days are required; and in the dry season it can be accomplished in two days. This difference is owing to the swelling of the river produced by rains. The journey from Panama to Cruces is performed on mules, being a distance of twenty-one miles, over a bad but not a dangerous road. In Cruces, there are canoes of all sizes always in readiness, in which passengers embark, and descend the river to Chagres, the sea-port of the Isthmus, where they re-embark on board the first vessel which suits their convenience.
“The transit of the Isthmus during the dry season is neither inconvenient nor unpleasant: the canoes are covered; provisions, fruits, &c. are abundant along the banks of the river; the temperature, though warm, is perfectly healthy, and there is always personal security. During the rains you are subject to great exposure and consequent illness; but were a good road once opened, and a steamer on the river, there would be no danger at any season, and the journey from sea to sea could be accomplished in eight or nine hours, without the slightest inconvenience.”