[249] Paper delivered in by Sir Rowland Hill, K.C.B., 12th July, 1861:—
| Statement of the Earnings and Costs of the Galway Line of MailSteamers. | |||
| £ | |||
| Sea postage of correspondence (including newspapers and transit letters) from 26th June to 23rd October, 1860, inclusive, when the voyages were suspended (estimated) | 1,400 | ||
| Trips: Out, 7; home, 6 | Total, 13. | ||
| Earnings, 108l. per trip. | |||
| Cost to Post-Office in same time. | |||
| £ | |||
| Contract payment (less penalties) | 14,764 | ||
| Incidental payments | 500 | ||
| £15,264 | |||
(Signed) Frank James Scudamore,
Receiver and Accountant-General.
12th July, 1861.
[250] There is still a line of sailing-packets, named the “Old Black Ball” line, trading between Liverpool and New York, sailing from the former port on the 1st and 16th of each month. They are large and fine ships, and are under the management of Messrs. C. H. Marshall & Co.
[251] In 1873 the Wisconsin made the passages from Liverpool to New York and back in each case within ten days.
[252] The White Star Line was originally composed of a fleet of fast sailing American clipper-ships, such as the Champion of the Seas, Blue Jacket, White Star, Shalimar, &c., sailing to Australia: to this line, Messrs. Ismay, Imrie, and Co. succeeded, and they still carry it on with similar fast high-classed vessels built of iron, such as the Belfast, British Commerce, Knight Commander, Houghton Tower, Glengarry, Knowsley Hall, &c., and they have applied the title “White Star” to their New York line of steamers.
[253] Extract from “Book of Regulations” of the White Star line of steamers:
“The commanders must distinctly understand that the issue of the following instructions does not, in any way, relieve them from entire responsibility for the safe and efficient navigation of their respective vessels; and they are also enjoined to remember that, whilst they are expected to use every diligence to secure a speedy voyage, they must run no risk which might by any possibility result in accident to their ships. It is to be hoped that they will ever bear in mind that the safety of the lives and property entrusted to their care is the ruling principle that should govern them in the navigation of their ships, and no supposed gain in expedition, or saving of time on the voyage, is to be purchased at the risk of accident. The company desires to establish and maintain for its vessels a reputation for safety, and only looks for such speed on the various voyages as is consistent with safe and prudent navigation.”