Taking an average of fifty-one voyages made by the Admiralty steamers, from Falmouth to Corfu and back during four years ending June, 1834, it was found that the average rate of steaming, exclusive of stoppages, was 7-1/4 miles per hour, taken in a direct line between the places, and without allowing for the necessary deviations in the course of the vessel. The vessels which performed this voyage varied from 350 to 700 tons burthen by measurement, and were provided with engines varying from 100 horse to 200 horse-power, with stowage for coals varying from 80 to 240 tons. The proportion of the power to the tonnage varied from 1 horse to 3 tons to 1 horse to 4 tons; thus, the MESSENGER had a power of 200 horses, and measured 730 tons; the FLAMER had a power of 120 horses, and measured 500 tons; the COLUMBIA had 120 horses, and measured 360 tons. In general, it may be assumed that for the shortest class of trips, such as those of the Margate steamers, and the packets between Liverpool or Holyhead and Dublin, the proportion of the power to the tonnage should be that of 1 horse-power to every 2 tons by measure; while for the longest voyages the proportion would be reduced to 1 horse to 4 tons, voyages of intermediate lengths having every variety of intermediate proportion. Steamers thus proportioned in their power and tonnage may then, on an average of weathers, be expected to make 7-1/4 miles an hour while steaming, which is equivalent to 174 miles per day of twenty-four hours. But, in very long voyages, it rarely happens that a steamer can work constantly without interruption. Besides stress of weather, in which she must sometimes lie-to, she is liable to occasional derangements of her machinery, and more especially of her paddles. In almost every long voyage hitherto attempted, some time has been lost in occasional repairs of this nature while at sea. We shall perhaps, therefore, for long voyages, arrive at a more correct estimate of the daily run of a steamer by taking it at 160 miles.[42] [Footnote 42: The American reader will hardly be able to refrain from a smile at this estimate of Dr. Lardner of the speed of steamboats, founded upon the most improved practice of Europe at the close of the year 1835. The boats on the Hudson River have for years past averaged a speed of 15 miles per hour, and the Lexington, which was constructed for a navigation part of which is performed in the open ocean, could probably keep up a speed of the same amount, except in severe storms. With boats, constructed on the principles of those which navigate Long Island Sound and the Chesapeake, we should not fear to assume 12 miles per hour, or, upwards of 280 miles per day as their average rate of crossing the ocean.--A. E.]