SIZE AND APPOINTMENTS OF AN INDIAMAN. 327 



another in six months. Fifty years ago, six months was 

 an average passage out to India. The purpose of the fol- 

 lowiinT pages is to give a summary view of the route pur- 

 sued by ships in the present da}', with instructions for the 

 guidance of passengers and others interested in East India 

 shipping. The latitudes and longitudes, together with othe-r 

 nautical observations, are taken from the latest and most 

 authentic sources. Captain Horsburgh, hydrographer i& 

 the East India Company, has kindly given permission to 

 make free use of his " Directions for sailing to and from the 

 East Indies," at once the most comprehensive and correct 

 •work which has ever been or probably ever will be published 

 for the guidance of those " who go down to the sea in ships."* 

 Columbus crossed the Atlantic in a caravel of 40 tons 

 burden ; and the vessel in which De Gama first rounded the 

 Cape was not larger than a coasting-sloop. The East In- 

 dia Company have now about 50 noble ships, each of 1200 

 tons burden and upwards, employed in their trade to India 

 and China. They are manned as follows : — 



1 Captain. 

 6 Officers. 

 6 Midshipmen. 

 1 Clerk. 

 1 Surgeon. 

 1 Assistant do, 

 1 Purser. 



] Ship's steward and Cooper. 

 1 Boatswain and 4 mates. 

 1 Gunner and 2 mates. 

 1 Carpenter and 3 mates. 

 Armourer, sail-maker, and calker. 

 Including servants and seamerr, 

 total 130. 



They are always well armed, carrying in time of peace 

 20 eighteen-pounders on their main-deck, and six thirty- 

 two pound carronades on the upper-deck. During war the 

 number of guns is increased to 32. In addition to great 

 guns, each ship carries 100 muskets, 50 pistols, 50 cut- 

 lasses, and 100 pikes, with all needful ammunition, and a 

 magazine fitted for action. From their warlike equipment 

 and formidable appearance, these ships in time of war have 

 great advantages when sailing in a fleet. It is supposed 

 tliat at the expiration of the East India Company's charter, 

 this fine class of ships will be discontinued. The present 



* Captain W.'F. W. Owen , R.X., having lately been employed on sur- 

 vevin the Indian Seas, has published a table of latitudes and longitudes, 

 which differs materially I'rom other authorities. For the sake of accu- 

 racv, it has been thought necessary, wherever lat. or long, is quoted in 

 this chapter, to subjoin in a note the corresponding geographical site 

 according to Captain Owen. 



