At Trincomalee, a steamer would take up the mails for the remainder of the Eastern World, both from Europe and from India, and proceed by Batavia to Canton. At Batavia, this boat would deposit the mails for New South Wales and Singapore; the former to be forwarded by other steamers, and the latter by a good sailing schooner, which could always accomplish her work so as to be in time for the return steamer, and for the next outward mails; the distance from Batavia to Singapore being 475 miles, thus: Three, or even four days, out; three to stop, and four back; together 11 days. The nearest way to Canton from Trincomalee is by Nicobar and Singapore, distance, 2880 miles; whereas the distance by Batavia is 3535 miles; but then it must be remembered, that Batavia is the most important station, and 475 miles nearer New South Wales than Singapore. Hence Batavia appears to be the most eligible point of (p. 070) communication for the steamers. From Trincomalee to Canton, the route and time will be thus:-- Geo. miles. Days. Trincomalee to Batavia, by Straits of Sunda 1750 9 Stop at Batavia, coals, &c. 2 Batavia to Canton 1830 9 Stop at Canton 2, Batavia 2 4 Canton to Trincomalee, by Batavia 3580 18 ---- -- Totals 7160 42 ---- -- Three boats would perform this work, giving two mails each month. Each boat would be at sea 36 days each voyage = 72 monthly = 864 yearly: 25 tons coals daily, 21,600 tons yearly--43,200_l._ At Trincomalee, a spare boat would require to be stationed, in case of accidents, which would make four for the station; prime cost, 96,000_l._, and one sailing-vessel, 2,000_l._ The yearly charges for provisions, wages, &c. &c. will be 6820_l._ each, and 1000_l._ for the sailing-vessel is 28,280_l._, which, together with the expense of coals, amount to 71,480_l._ 9. _Batavia to Sydney, New South Wales, by Swan River._ At Batavia, steamers could take up the European, the Indian, and the Chinese mails, and proceed on to Sydney, New South Wales, by Swan River and Hobart Town, &c. thus: