CLASS OF STEAMERS REQUIRED. 303 



preference was given to the latter. A large 

 steamer can carry more coals in proportion to 

 her consumption than a smaller ; and although^ 

 in the larger steamer^ the daily consumption is 

 greater, the increase of speed renders the con- 

 sumption on a sea voyage pretty nearly equal ; 

 for the small steamer is impeded by the slight- 

 est motion of the sea, when the larger is 

 scarcely affected. Although there may be 

 more room than necessary at first on board a 

 large steamer, as communication increases by 

 the facilities given to intercourse, there would 

 be afterwards hardly sufficient. The expenses 

 for working a steamer of two hundred and fifty 

 tons, and one of five hundred tons, are nearly 

 the same; the difference being trifling, par- 

 ticularly when compared to the great advan- 

 tages afforded by the larger steamer. 



Coal or Fnelj and the means of obtaining it. 



Coal exists in various parts of the coast of 

 Chile, in great abundance, and will afford an 

 ample supply for steam operations in the Pa- 

 cific, at a very moderate price. Extensive 

 veii^s have been discovered in the island of 

 Chiloe, at Valdivia, and in the bay of Talca- 



