Wilmington journal. [volume] (Wilmington, N.C.) 1844-1895, 1850-08-16

The main reliance of England, says the New York
Herald, which makes the compilation, seems to be
the fleets of steamers which she has afoat, carry
ing the mails in different parts of the world, which
ships have been built under the supervision of the
Admiralty, and capable in all respects of being
converted into ships of war, and carrying ordnance
of the heaviest description. They completely
under the control of the Government, and be ia
ken at any time for the public service.
This system was commenced in 1889 when con-
tract was entered into with Mr.. Cunard and his
socates for the conveyance of the nails via Halifax
to Boston. in five steamers of the first class, for 985
900, or about 1926, 900 per annum.
In 1916, the government enlarged the contract
with Mr.. Cunard and his associates by adding four
ships, to run from Liverpool to New York, and in
creased the compensation to G145, 900, or about
$725, 900 per annum
In the year 184O contract was made by the Ad-
miralty with the Royal Mail Steam Packet Company,
at G24O,000 sterling or $1,2OO00O per annum for
fourteen steamers to carry the mails from Southamp
ton to the West Indies, the ports of Mexico the
Gulf, and to New Orleans, Mobile, Savannah and
Charleston These ships of the largest class,
and are to conform in all respects concerning adap-
taton to the purposes of war; to the conditions pre-
scribed in the Cunard contract.
Another contract has recently been entered into
for two steamships to run between Bermuda and N.
York.
These three lines employ twenty-five steamers of
the largest and most efficient description.
In addition to the above, contract made first
OI JdnudFy, 1c4O, WIN the HenlnSular anu
Steam Navigation Company, for line of similar
steamers in number. from England to the East
Indies and China, at 100000 sterling, 100000
per annum. This line passes from Southampton, via
Gibraltar and Malta toAlexandria, in Egypt thence
the route continues overland to Suez at the head of
the Red Sea- whence the steamers again start touch
ing at Alden, Bombay, and at Point de Gale in the
Island of Ceylon; from whence they proceed to
Singapore and Hong Kong There is branch line,
connecting with this, from Point de Gala to Calcut
ia, touching at Madras.
A contract was made, first of July, 1916, for Pa
cifc line of British Steamers, four in number, rum
ming from Valparaiso to Panama. touching at inter
mediate ports. This line connects, overland, from
Panama to Chagres, with the West India line.
Besides these, there were, in 1S48 twelve more
lines of government steamers running between Great
Britain and the Continent of Europe, making grand
aggregate at that time of lis steamships, fit
ted for war purposes and controlled by the govern
| ment.
| Thus number has since been augmented. Parlia-
ment has extended the mail steamship system to
Austria as we'll other parts of the British domin
! ions.
This formidable array of war steamers, under the
guise of mail packets must be added to the above
figures and placed the English side of the account
The French government before the revolution in
l848 had resolved to adopt similar mode of raising
a steam navy, and took steps towards the &C
complishment of that object, and there is no doubt
that the republic WILL in due time act vigorously
upon that resolution.