An Abstract of the Proceedings of the Select Committee of the House of Commons, Appointed Session, 1849, to Inquire Into the Contract Packet Service

by Peninsular and Oriental Steam Navigation Company; Great Britain. Parliament. House of Commons. Select Committee to Inquire into the Contract Packet Se

2303. Why, then, did you say, in answer to question 1931, that you could not guarantee any vessels?—If we had not time to offer it to them, and get an answer from them, I cannot say that they might not turn round and refuse to let us have the vessels.

2304. Did you expect the Admiralty, in the absence of any guarantee, to form a contract with you to take the “India,” which in your judgment was bad of her kind, as one ship, and to take a steamer which went to China in the year 1830, and which you thought you probably could get as a second ship, and the chance of some third ship then in the Indian seas; upon that basis, did you expect the Admiralty to form a contract with you; was that so?—What I expect is stated in my former evidence.

2305. The “India” lay for a long time for sale in the London docks, did she not, in 1839?—I think, for three or four months, she lay there for sale.

2306. Was she not put up for sale at Lloyd’s?—Yes, I believe she was.

2307. Who were the owners of the “India” when she sailed for India?—An old gentleman from Norfolk, a Mr. Banyan, was the registered owner.

2308. He was not the real owner?—Yes, he was a real owner; she belonged to a company got up by Captain Ross, and he represented them.

2309. When she went to India, was she not mortgaged?—Yes, she was.

2310. To what amount?—She was under two mortgages, I understood, but what the other mortgage was I do not remember. There was $20,000 advanced to the builders, as stated in answer to question 1814; but she was not under mortgage when I tendered her for contract mail service. The real owners were some forty residents and natives in India, and seven firms and individuals in England, who purchased her from the mortgagees, and established the India Steam Company of Calcutta in 1841.

2311. You have stated that the “India” has been running on the line between Calcutta and Suez?—I never said that she was running on the line; she was employed on the line; she was receiving a certain portion of the money paid for the contract. I suppose about £15,000 a year would be her proportion.

2312. Are you aware that she never left her moorings?—Yes.