The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1849-11-07
England.
IMPORTANT ALTERATION IN THE OCEAN STEAM MAIL
PACKET SERVICE.

IMPORTANT ALTERATION in THE OCEAN STEAM MAIL
PACKET SERVICE.
Our private correspondence supplies with nte-
resting information which does net appear in the
pers, relative TO some contemplated changes in the
routes and arrangements Of the British West India
steamers. It appears that the crcuitous route
taken by these vessels to and from Southampton and
the Gulf Of Mexico via Bermuda, Nassau Havana and
Mobile is the cause Of great loss Of traffic in passen
gers TO the West india steamers such passengers pre-
1erring to proceed from Jamaica, Havana, &c. to New
York, and thence TO Liverpool. We understand that
arrangement in progress between the Roy Mail
Packet Company and the Board Of Admiralty whereby
a change OF route would be adopted and saving Of
ten days 10 a fortnight be effected between most
OF the West Indies Mexico and England. IL was pro-
posed for the steamers to proceed direct to and from
Southampton and Havana, Jamaica, touching at
st Thomas and IRON of the former ports to TAM
pico and Vera Cruz, thus avoiding obe altogether.
BY this it was argued that intelligence and
mails, which received in England from the
Gulf via New iork aud Liverpool quicker than by the
steamers direct to Southampton would get to England
with much greater celebrity, and that the Legitimate
trafic of the West India steamers, in great
sure lost would be secured The same remarks would
apply TO Jamaica and Havana, the time occupied be-
those places and England, being shortened to
10 or 20 day s. instead Of rs to IS as heretofore.
Toperiorm the Atlantic voyages of the West India
Echeme of steam communication it was intended to
employ steamships of greater power and speed aud
learn that four ships OF tons burden and 500 horse
power, ordered to be constructed in the Clyde
for the Regal Mail Packet Company. These vessels
to be built TO maintain average speed of
twelve knots, while the existing vessels to be
ployed internationally to and from the islands, in
Junction with the new ships Four OF the present
vessels would be detached from the compsny's fleet
to carry out contrast with the Admiralty, for a
monthly steam communication between Southampton
and Rio Jsnsiro, and the other Brazilian ports.
Befides these changes In the mail arrangements, a
contract for monthly steam communication between
Great Britain South Australia, and New zealand, was
about TO be concluded Two parties were rendering
for 1.-THE Peninsular and Oriental Companies whose
vessels az present run between Southampton and
Alexandria. and suez and Sipgapore-and who pro-
posed the line TO extend to Sidney and Hobart Town.
The Wet India Royal Mail Company, on the other
hand, proposing TO establish line OF steamers from
Panama TO New zealand and the Australian ports In
conjunction with their existing line from Southampton
10 Chsgres 1t thought the latter proposal stood
the best chance Of Icing approved aud adopted mas
much It is decidedly the most direct and urbroken
line from England TO her ultra marine colonies in the
South Pacific. The intercourse between Chagres and
Southampton was to be much shortened, both by
slight alton in the route Of the steamers and also
by the superior class vessels which TO be
employed IL was thought with traffic OF mail pas
eepgers specie, sc from California from Chile Peru,
BOLIVIA. New Granada, AustI ALA and New Zealand,
converging ria Panama, to the West India ships at
Chagres tkat a vast and profitable return weud be
produced to the Enslish steamers