| Description | Written from 18 Duke Street, London. The report explains the present state of steam communication between the United Kingdom and Australia via The Cape and Calcutta [Kolkata] including the power of the ships, the need for various coaling depots en route, the speed of passage and the cost of these vessels. There are also analyses of the voyage time and coaling needs for a larger sized vessel and the consequent costs of supplying coal for the outward and return voyage and estimates of the financial potential in building larger vessels that will have less need for coaling stops. The report sets out the practical potential for building a larger vessel and the underlying assumptions about size, power, speed of voyage, potential passenger numbers and cargo and coal possibilities. The report comments on the original proposals for the Great Western and the intention for the Great Western to carry its own coal to New York. The report comments on the possible choices of departure port, calling ports and comments on the lack of competition afforded by overland routes. There is a pencil annotation at the head of the first page indicating the subject of the document. (The preceeding page, Folio 80, is blank). |