1840.] On Low Steam Power to Vessels, Instead of Sails. 



233 



6 with a strong leading wind and following sea (without sails), and 3 

 against a strong head wind ; and in case of a gale of wind she would 

 easily go a head 2 knots keeping the sea on her bow. Her average then 

 in the Indian seas could not be reckoned at less than \\ knots or lOS 

 niiles per day, while a fast sailing vessel only averaged 3f knots, the 

 speed of the steamer would therefore be greater by i-, or she would 

 perform a voyage in 48 days, which the sailing vessel would not perform 

 in less than 60 days. The steamer, it is to be observed, carries no stand- 

 ing masts or rigging whatever, but merely 3 light masts with lug sails 

 which she can set up in case of accidents. Whether it might be v/orth 

 while to use those sails regularly in the trades or in any leading winds, 

 is a subject for further calculation. 



For the safety of the two modes, there can be no room for doubt that 

 the steamer having no masts and sails, would be free from most of the 

 dangers to which sailing vessels are exposed ; she would in fact be always 

 in that state to which sailing vessels are obliged to reduce themselves 

 when they have no alternative, in order to avoid destruction, viz. by 

 cutting away their masts. 



The conclusion therefore is, that it would be quite as cheap to work a 

 merchantman by steam at 4^ knots per hour, as by sails at 3| knots in 

 voyages of moderate length, that is not exceeding on the average 2,400 

 miles, or varying from 1,000 to 4,000 miles without taking in coal, and 

 that it would be far safer. 



But in the above comparison, ordinary voyages only are supposed. 



To show more strongly the effect of steam power, we may take the 

 case of a voyage in which the vessel was delayed by accidents, such as 

 frequently occur to sailing vessels ; this vessel lately sailed from Singa- 

 poor to Madras ; on her passage she lost one or two of her masts in a 

 while squall, and was obliged to put back into Penang ; and on her mak- 

 ing Madras, she encountered so strong a current that she was carried to 

 lee-ward of her port ; and in consequence she was 80 days in completing 

 her voyage. 



Comparison of profits of a steamer with the Ship from Singa- 



poor to Madras. 



Time occupied in voyage » 80 days 



Add for loading and discharging 10 



Total time of voyage, 



90 days 



