238 On Low Steam Power to Vessels, instead of Sails. [Oct. 

 Expence of steaniing at this speed above that of sailing £450 



In the above calculation, the steamer is supposed to average 132 miles 

 per day, or 5^ knots per hour. The speed of a vessel of 380 tons, 

 vdth a 50 horse engine in smooth water, would be about 6 knots, 4 

 against a strong head wind and sea, and 7 with a fair wind and follow- 

 ing sea (witl.out masts and sails) her average would be at least 5^ knots. 

 This is exactly half as much again as the average of the »bove fast sail-* 

 iag vessel. According to this the voyages of tlie steamer, would be per« 

 formed in two-thirds of the time required by the sailing vessel, but in 

 reality they would probably take considerably less than that. 



Thus it appears, that to work a vessel with such a power of steam as 

 "would ensure the voyages being performed in two-thirds of the time of 

 a sailing vessel, it would cost one-fifth more ; and there can scarcely be 

 a doubt that the other advantages of steam, would far more than com- 

 pensate for this increase of expence ; or we come to the conclusion ; 



That it would answer as well to work a vessel by steam at an average 

 rate of 5| knots, as by sails at 3| knots, measuring the distances on the 

 nearest line from port te port, supposing that the average length of her 

 voyages without taking in coal, did not exceed 2,400 miles, or that they 

 varied from 1,000 to 4,000 miles, and hence that by the use of steam with- 

 out any masts or sails, commerce might be carried on in most parts of the 

 world at a speed exceeding by one-half that ordinarily attained at pre- 

 Fent by sailing vessels, without any increase of expence, and with much 

 greater safety. 



If a higher speed than this is required, it must evidently be purchased 

 at a rapidly increasing cost, though this might answer in particular lines 

 of trade, and especially where there was a considerable portion of pas- 

 sengers. And it is e^^dent, that were this system extensively introduced, 

 the carriage of passengers would form a much more considerable item of 

 traffic ,• for the safety, certainty, comfurt and speed of this mode, would in- 

 crease the number of travellers by sea probably four-fold. 1 he loss of time 

 and uncertainty of passages in sailing vessels, besides their discomforts, 

 make it almost impracticable for men much occupied, to move from one 

 port to another, and they can only do it in very urgent cases. Powerful 

 steamers working at ten knots, would of course be still more effectual, 

 but first, they could not afford to carry passengers, but at a high rate 

 of payment, and secondly, they are not likely at present to be established 

 except on some main lines of intercourse. At the same time, such a 



