INDIA AND AUSTRALIA. 439 



will bring Sydney within nearly sixty days of Eng- 

 land, I think with Captain Blackwood that steam- 

 ers should at all times use Captain King's inner 

 route;* and much of the delay occasioned by an- 



tubular boilers, which consume a fifth less fuel than the others; 

 they must carry at the Jeast 200 tons, which, at the rate of 14 tons 

 per diem, is sufficient for fourteen days full speed steaming, in 

 which time, at the rate of 7 knots an hour, 2,352 miles will have 

 been traversed, which is about 1 00 miles more than the distance 

 between Sydney and Port Essington, and about 420 miles more 

 than between the latter place and Singapore. This clearly shews 

 that Port Essington is, as I have before stated, the best place for a 

 coal-depot ; and that one there would suffice for the whole line of 

 communication. As, moreover, it is necessary that such a station 

 should have protection against the natives, it further enhances 

 the value of the settlement at Port Essington. This depot migh 

 be economically made, from the cheapness and abundance of coals 

 in New South Wales ; and the number of ships that are con- 

 stantly passing Port Essington in ballast would be glad of the 

 freight so far. The cost of steam vessels of the size mentioned 

 would be about 20,000/., if built of wood, and 16,000/., if of iron; 

 and the annual expense of running one would be between 3,000/. 

 and 4000L 



* On this inshore track steamers would be able to replace with 

 wood any deficiency in their fuel. I take this opportunity of 

 saying that vessels carrying troops from Sydney to India should 

 be compelled to use it, the chances of the loss of life being much 

 less. On one occasion a ship called the Ferguson sailed 

 from Sydney with part of a regiment, whilst we were there. 

 The master ridiculed the advice given him by one of the 

 Beagle's officers, to take the inner passage. The next news we 

 heard of her was, that she had been wrecked on the outer 

 Barrier at four in the morning ; no observation having been taken 

 since the previous noon, by which they might have found a current 



