2313. The Peninsular and Oriental Company bought her, did they not?—Yes; after a desperately hard bargain.
2314. Are you aware that she was full of dry rot at the time they bought her?—Yes, but I am aware that they deducted £1,300 from the £15,000 which they engaged to pay, in consequence of that; and I am also aware that they told me it would require £15,000 to repair her when they offered £23,000 for her; and I sent in the same drawings that I had sent in to the Admiralty, and offered to do it for £8,000, upon which they said, we will give you £15,000.
2315. Are you aware that the “India” has been broken up?—I never heard it till now.
2316. You stated that the Peninsular Company sent out to the China line two old vessels?—Yes, they were used in the Peninsular lines.
2317. What were their names?—The “Lady Mary Wood” was one, and the “Braganza” was the other.
2318. Are you not aware that in 1844 the “Lady Mary Wood” was only two years old?—Yes, I know it perfectly.
2319. Would you call her an old vessel?—Yes, she had been a good deal used there; the best proof of her age is, that she was inefficient before she could be relieved.
2320. How do you know that?—I have heard so.
2321. Are you aware that the “Braganza” was within a few months of the same age as the “India?”—I do not know that; I know that she had some repairs before she went there; such repairs as I should have given the “India.”
2322. You said that you expected to hire in India a vessel called the “Fire Queen?”—I never said a word about the “Fire Queen;” the “Fire Queen” we had nothing to do with; the vessels which I mentioned are mentioned here.