In the Sixth Report of the Post-office Commissioners, p. 281, it is stated that the Malta steamers average 7½ miles per hour, and have done so for a period of two years. The Dublin and Liverpool Steam Post-office packets average also 7½ miles per hour, or 180 miles daily.
In the same Report, p. 265, Mr. Napier states, that he built the steamers which run between Dundee and London; and that during a period of eighteen months they have averaged 11½ miles per hour. This, it is believed, means British miles, or 10 geographical miles. At the latter rate they run 240 miles per day. During the period above mentioned, these boats have not cost their owners 18l. for repairs to the machinery. A steam-boat of 240-horse power would at that time (1836) cost 24,000l. to 25,000l., burden 620 tons. A contractor, to keep them in repair, would require 1,000l. per annum.
According to accounts lately received from the East, the Berenice, with only one engine, the other having been broken, ran from Socotora to Suez, a distance of 1800 miles, in 9½ days. The Leith and London Steamers, such as the Monarch, of 200-horse power, run the distance, 415 geographical miles, in 45 hours,—the average of voyages during the year; and frequently the distance is run in 40 hours, and even less.
Estimates for Passengers on each Station.
| Demerara steamers, 48 voyages, 20 each, 960 per annum, at 30 dollars | 28,800 | |
| 1st Leeward station—Barbadoes to Havannah, through all the islands, 48 voyages monthly, 50 each, is 2400, at 70 dollars average | 168,000 | |
| 2d Leeward station—Havannah to Vera Cruz, and Jamaica to Chagre, Panama, &c. &c., 96 voyages, at 20 each, is 1920 yearly, at 40 dollars | 76,800 | |
| Packets and sailing-vessels in all the points, 120 voyages, average 10 each, is 1200, at 25 dollars | 30,000 | |
| ——— | ||
| Total dollars | 303,600 | |
| ——— | ||
| At 4s. 2d. per dollar, is sterling | £63,250 | |
| Falmouth to Barbadoes, 43 voyages, 20 each, at 40l. | £38,000 | |
| Falmouth to Rio de Janeiro, 48 voyages, 10 each, at 55l. | 26,200 | |
| Falmouth to Halifax, 48 voyages, 20 each, 960 yearly, average 35l. | 33,600 | |
| Halifax to West Indies, by New York, 48 voyages, 20 each, is 960, at 26l. | 24,960 | |
| Falmouth to Madeira and Teneriffe, 200 yearly, at 20l. | 4,000 | |
| Rio do Janeiro to Buenos Ayres, 240 yearly, at 15l. | 3,600 | |
| Pernambuco to Maranham, 120 yearly, at 12l. | 1,440 | |
| West India Islands to Bermuda, Nassau, &c. &c. 280 yearly, at 12l. | 3,360 | |
| ——— | 135,160 | |
| ——— | ||
| Total | £198,410 | |
| Deduct expense, finding one-third | 66,136 | |
| ——— | ||
| Amount gained | £132,274 | |
| ——— | ||
The cost of finding passengers is here estimated at 4 dollars per day. In the House of Commons Report about Steam Communications with India, the cost of finding passengers to that quarter of the world is estimated by experienced captains of ships at 10s. sterling per day. The charge made in steamers in the West Indies for cabin passage money, by orders of the Admiralty, is 17l. sterling, Barbadoes to Jamaica; 10l. sterling, Jamaica to St. Thomas; and 10l. sterling, St. Thomas to Barbadoes.
Income:—Parcels, Packages, and Fine Goods. Steamers to be restricted to 40 tons Weight in all.
| 240 voyages on the four great lines yearly, 20 tons each, at the rate of 10l. per ton over all | £48,000 |
| Second Class Lines, Barbadoes to Havannah, Havannah to Vera Cruz; Jamaica to Chagre, &c; Barbadoes to Demerara, 192 voyages yearly, 20 tons each, average 10l. | 38,400 |
| Suppose Third Class Lines by Sailing-vessels everywhere—388 voyages, average 8 tons | 31,040 |
| ——— | |
| Total | £117,440 |
| ——— | |
| But Port Dues remain to be deducted—uncertain, say, | 15,000l. |