It is interesting to compare the earlier vessels of the company’s fleet with the later. The INDIA, built in 1839, was a vessel of 871 tons, and with engines of 300 horse power. Her namesake, built in 1896, is a steamer of 7,911 tons, with engines of 11,000 horse power. The PERSIA, built in 1900, has a slightly larger register (8,000 tons), with engines of the same power. In 1901 four twin-screw steamers were added to the fleet, the SYRIA, SOUDAN, SOMALI and SICILIA, each of 6,600 tons gross, with engines of 4,500 horse power, while 1903-4 witnesses the addition to the Company’s list of the MARMORA and MACEDONIA, 10,500 tons and 15,000 horse power, and the MOLDAVIA and MONGOLIA, 10,000 tons and 14,000 horse power, as well as several cargo steamers of immense tonnage. During the war in the Transvaal, as at the time of the Crimean War, many of the steamers of the P. & O. Company were engaged by the Government as transports. The following figures indicate the extensive operations of the company:—In 1899 the mileage traversed by the steamers of the fleet during the year was about 3,000,000 miles. The consumption of coal during that period was 625,000 tons. The dues paid to the Suez Canal Company exceeded £272,000, while the sum expended in wages to officers and crews amounted to £362,000. In 1855 the Directors of the East India Company advertised for steamers to carry the mails between Calcutta and Burmah, a service inaugurated by the ENTERPRIZE (see ante) in 1826, and afterwards conducted by various vessels of the East Indian Navy. Messrs. McKinnon & Co., of Glasgow, tendered in response to this advertisement, and their tender having been accepted, they despatched the two steamers BALTIC and CAPE OF GOOD HOPE to fulfil their contract. These vessels were small and unsuitable for the intended service, and the result would have been a serious financial loss to their owners, had they not, soon after their arrival in India, been engaged for transports on the outbreak of the Indian Mutiny.