THE MAGELLAN MAIL SERVICE.

Globe, Volume I, Issue 75, 27 August 1874, Page 3

THE MAGELLAN MAIL SERVICE.

A correspondent of the Otago Daily Times, signing his letter C. W. K., writes as follows on the above subject :

Sir, —Your correspondent “ J. L. S.” having brought this highly interesting subject under notice —the more interesting at the present time through the sudden collapse of another of the San Francisco services—has induced me to add a word in corroboration of his statements, and in admiration of the proposed new mail route via the Strait of Magellan. Before passing on to the main topic, I may remark that whilst lately in London, at the request of a much-respected Dunedin gentleman now in England (Dr Alfred Eccles), I called on Dr Feathcrston, as New Zealand agent, with the intention of giving him any information in my power regarding the Pacific Steam Navigation Company and the Chilian mail service through the Strait of Magellan, and was somewhat surprised to learn from him that a new contract had already been entered into—rather hastily, as I thought and that consequently my information would be superfluous. Our worthy Agent-General informed me that the new contract was based upon an average speed of 12 miles an hour throughout, which, in ray opinion, appeared ridiculous, and exceedingly unlikely to be carried out (as the result has shown), from the long continuous runs from Kandavu to Honolulu, and thence to San Francisco, during which the boats would have no opportunity for an overhaul or for cooling their engines. Twelve miles an hour might not appear too much for the short trip across the Atlantic to New York, for such boats as those of the Cunard aud Allan lines, &c, where full .speed can safely be kept up ; but it must be considered that, although the voyage is frequently in every sense of the word “ a bad weather voyage,” there is invariably a stoppage of seven days or more at each end, which must often be a source of comfort to the engineer. The P.S.N. Company consider their boats do well to average 10 and 11 miles an hour.

This is merely mentioned to show that such an extreme rate of speed should not be insisted upon, and yet I hope to be able to demonstrate to the complete satisfaction of all your leaders that the “ much talked of 45 days” between this and England may still become an absolute fact.

The Strait of Magellan route has now become the main road for steam traffic between Chili and Peru and Europe, about fifteen magnificent full-powered steamships passing through monthly, including those of the Pacific Steam Navigation Company, which comprise amongst its fine fleet, now second to none either in number or quality, the the beautiful screw steamers Cuzco, Puuo, Cotopaxi, Cordillera, Araucania, Patagonia, Illimani, Sorata, Magellan, John Elder, Quinto, Chimborazo, and Aconcagua, all of from 1500 to 2500 tons register, besides those trading on the Coast, of from 900 to 1500 tons register, numbering about 55, all told. This company’s boats leave Callao for, and arrive there, from Europe under contract every week, and almost invariably make their appearance two or three days prior to their due date, having thus won the entire confidence of their supporters. The “ Kosmos” line of Hamburg, comprising five boats of from 1800 to 2300 tons register, and the Belgian Royal Mail Go’s line, belonging to Messrs Ryde and Co, of London, of four boats, of from 1500 to 2500 tons register, have also one steamer each monthly, to and fro ; so that this intricate and seemingly hazardous passage is becoming well known, and consequently bereft of its dangers. Messrs Ryde and Co., with a view to secure as far as possible the safety of their property, and the lives in their charge, have made a rule that no master shall take a vessel of theirs through the Straits without first having seen them and taken bearings, &c, himself; and an old and respected captain in their service assured me that with such a chart of landmarks and bearings as he had been enabled to compile, he saw little more risk navigating in the Strait than in the open sea. Now we come to the all-important point of time and distance. The P.S.N. Company generally do the run from Valparaiso to Liverpool—9ooo miles, as near as possible—in thirty-seven days, equal to ten miles an hour, including detention at Bordeaux, Lisbon, Rio Janeiro, Monte Video, Cape Verde Islands, and Lola, amounting in all, say, to three days,deducting which'would give a splendid average of eleven miles an hour. From Valparaiso to Cape '.Pillar, on the west or Pacific side of the Strait is about 1300 miles, or five days’ run, thus leaving 7700 miles, or 32 days at 10 miles thence to Liverpool ; and giving 3900 miles, or say 14 days, from Port Chalmers (which would undoubtedly in this case be the point of departure fixed upon) to Cape Pillar, would thus make 4(5 days throughout. In case of necessity or subsidy, the three days’ detention could with ease bo reduced to two, and we could then have our devoutly wished for 45 days’ service, instead of the 52 days’—the present contract time via San Francisco, and which, from past sad experience, appears to be impracticable. A word might be said as to the advantages of this route over that via California. In the first place, coal of a first-class quality, which is supplied to all the steamers trading on the west coast of South America, is found in great abundance at Lota, Coronel, and

other places at the south of Chili, besides, also, as your correspondent “ J.L.S.” affirms, in close proximity to the Strait. Good anchorage ground exists in most parts of the Strait, especially at Punta Arenas, or Sandy Point, a small Chilian conyict settle raent, where it might be found advisable to establish a coaling station. Secondly, what is frequently a great source of annoyance to passengers by mail routes, namely, frequently changing and transhipping, would here, in all probability, be avoided. Again, they would pass through some of the grandest scenery in the world, and would be able to get a flying glimpse of the beautiful bay and city of Rio Janeiro, &c. And thirdly—and which is the chief item in the eyes of the public—punctuality could be depended upon ; for, could the contract get into the hands of Mr George Petrie, the energetic West Coast manager of the P.S.N, Go,- his well-known reputation for carrying through successfully that which he takes in hand, would be a guarantee that there would be little fear upon that score ; whilst the name of the company would ensure us against another of those discomforting break-downs to which we are getting only too well accustomed. Trusting that the importance of the subject will be sufficient apology for having trespassed so much on your space, and further, that the atone having been once set rolling, it will not be allowed to stop until, with your valuable assistance, the “ Magellan Mail Service” .will no longer be a thing of the future.”