ONE HUNDRED YEARS OF SEA TRAVEL

Wanganui Chronicle, Volume 80, Issue 308, 29 December 1937, Page 5

ONE HUNDRED YEARS OF SEA TRAVEL

THE FIRST MAIL CONTRACT

COMMENCEMENT OF THE P. AND O.

(By

HUGH C. JENKINS).

(Article ’Jo. 2.)

Looking backward on those times it is surprising that the postal authorities did not search out the steamship line which was offering a regular and fast service from London to the Peninsular and induce that line to carry the mails, thus cutting all of their difficulties and releasing themselves from the web of corruption which marked the Falmouth Packets.

Unfortunately for the sea service, however, the Falmouth brigs had passed into the hands of the Admiralty which considered that they needed these brigs to train men lor the Navy and to provide employment for half-pay officers. The Falmouth Packets sailed once a week "wind and weather permitting” and took five days to run down to Lisbon. Willcox and Anderson prepared plans and placed them before the Admiralty pointing out that they couid guarantee greater regularity, speedier delivery and at less cost than it was costing the Admiralty for Packets. The Government turned down the proposal. Pressure of public opinion was brought to bear, the Government asked Willcox and Anderson to sub- ' mit particulars, then it called for tenders. Two tenders were submitted one from the British and Foreign Company and the other by Willcox and Anderson, the former were being given the contract when it was disi covered that it had neither the ships nor the means to carry out the undcrI taking. Willcox and Anderson sucI cccded and on August 22, 1837, the contract for the carriage of mails was signed with the Peninsular Steam Navigation Company, First Sailings The first sailings started in September of that year the following vessels comprising the fleet:--

Time-table The announcement gave the following idea of the timetable:— The first two vessels were described as "The largest and most powerful vessels that have yet been put afloat. The whole of them have been fitted up so to combine the first style of elegance with comfort to the passengers. Separate cabins for parties and families can be engaged. ‘ A liberal table, with wines, etc., provided, and included in the fares; 'and numerous unsolicited testimonials | from parties of the first rank and character, confirm the superiority of the management on board.

"The average time in which the vessels make the passage is: From Falmouth to Vigo, 54 hours; to Lisbon, 84 hours; to Gibralter, including 24 hours stay at Lisbon and 6 hour a at Cadiz, 7 days. The passage iron. Gibralter to Malta is about 5 aa>», from Malta to Corfu, 2 days; from Malta to Alexandria, about 4 days.

The first contract rate was fol £29,61)0 a year for at least one pas sage a month between Falmouth and the Peninsular Ports round to Gibraltar. The P. and O. Company was now launched. It started by forging its first link which was to extend to the Orient and eventually to encircle the whole globe. The first mail contract, however was very important because it established a new regime in mail carrying, and it turned the company’s operations into profit production instead ol their continuing to be loss producing. The Loss of the Don Juan Then came the loss of the Don Jaun, the pride of the fleet. Steering into a mist out of Gibralter the vessel ran on to a reef or shoal during the night near Tarifa. The captain decided that the ship was last. She had been built at a cost of £40,00G; she was carrying mails, specie! to the value of £21,000 and some passengers, including Arthur Anderson and his wife. Further she was only partly insured. Anderson, however, was a man of action. Immediately the vessel grounded, Anderson called a fishing boat and at once returned to Gilraltcr. A warship went to the scene of the wreck and took off the mails, the passengers were got ashore and a squad of Royal Marines were put on board a packet lo ensure against looting The inhabitants of Tarifa were willing to loot and the loss of the gold was possible, consequently it had been landed and placed in the local fortress. When Anderson returned and sought lo recover the gold, however, the sentries at the fort shut the gates and would not allow the party to pass. Anderson then demanded to see the Governor and giving the men the tip in English the latter crowded at the heels of Anderson and the captain and pushed forward immediately the gates were opened. Thus did the party gain its freedom and prevent the gold from being retained. The Governor of the town claimed that he had acted under the orders of the Government, assured Anderson and the captain that they wouid hear more of the matter when he made his offi-j cial report, but in the end cooled down and made himself useful. The Don Juan, however, became a total loss. (To Be Continued)

Horse Tons. power Don Juan . 933 320 Tagus .... 900 300 Braganza . . . 650 264 Iberia 600 200 Liverpool 500 160