TRANSATLANTIC PACKET STATION COMMISSION.
87 have known vessels enter both by day and night, when neither shores of the entrance Replies to Quebtes.
could be seen from the middle of the channel; in short, I have known vessels brought in, (No-7«> in safety, when, I am satisfied, it would not be attempted anywhere north or north-west of capt lsir*Robert Cape Clear.
' Hagan, RN.
With respect to the pilot service on the coast of Cork, I would beg to draw the Com¬ missioners' attention to the fact, that pilot vessels, hookers, and cutters, belonging to Cork and Kinsale, are to be found in all weather, cruising near the Old Head of Kinsale, and they can perform this service, even in the severest gales from the south-west, because they have not a lee-shore to contend with.
There are numerous headlands affording tem¬ porary shelter, and they run under these, when it blows too hard to show canvass.
Be it remembered, too, that these vessels are numefous, because Cork has become a most important port for the trade, to wait orders.
Hence ample employment and consequent encouragement to the owners and crews, the former being wealthy ship agents, who find it their interest to keep these vessels at sea.
I need not point out to professional men the advantage to be derived from this circumstance; but I would ask, can any one of the com¬ peting ports offer such advantages to the anxious seaman, approaching a wild coast on a December night, with a heavy gale, thick weather, and no observation for the three '
previous days ?
But I may answer the question myself—they cannot.
Lastly, I beg to remind the Commissioners of the facilities which Cork possesses for refitting and repairing vessels.
I presume they are well acquainted with the fact, it is therefore not necessary for me to dwell on it.
I would therefore sum up by expressing my conviction that, if my reasons are not idle dreams, they make out a case for the noble harbour of Cork above all cavil and question.
Edward Rose, Master, R.N.
Though recently paid off, after being thirteen years in command of a mail steam packet on the Irish station, my duties never took me to the westward of the port of Waterford ; but to the best of my recollection and ability I will give my impressions of such parts of the west and south-west coast as I visited while master of H.M.S.
" Brazen" in 1822.
1.
Fourteen years.
"
2.
Once.
3.
Cork ....
Three times* Berehaven .
.
.
Twice.
Valentia .
.
.
Once.
Galway .
.
.
Several times.
4.
Safe harbours, but difficult of access unless in clear weather-5.
Never.
6.
Very hazardous, being a lee shore with the prevailing winds, which are generally accompanied by thick weather.
7.
Cork.
8.
The soundings better, indicating approach to danger.
9.
Cape Clear.
10.
Cape Clear light.
11.1
12.
\ No.
13.
J 14.
In case of necessity would give Cork the preference.
REPLIES TO QUERIES.
(No.
8.)
Post Office.
1 and 2.
The night mail leaves the General Post-Office, London, for Dublin, at 8 p.m.,
and reaches Dublin about noon the following day.
The day mail is conveyed by the Railway Company's express train to Chester, leaving Euston-square Station at 5 p.m.,
and the letters reach Dublin about 7 a.m.
on the following morning.
Letters from London for Ireland only are conveyed by this train, and no interme¬ diate bags are delivered or taken up.
The London night mail leaves Dublin at 12-30 p.m.,
and reaches the General Post-Office, London, at 5-18 a.m.
on the following morning.
The London day mail leaves Dublin at 7 p.m.,
and reaches the General Post-Office, London, at 1 • 30 p.m.
on the following day.
3.
The time is, on the whole, pretty accurately kept, although occasional delays are unavoid¬ able.
The delay seldom exceeds half or three-quarters of an hour, except in cases of accident.
4 and 5.
The night mail leaving the General Post-Office, London, for all parts of the United Kingdom, at 8 p.m.,
reaches
Cork at .
.
.
.4*0
a.m.
the next day but one.
Long Island (Skull nearest post-office) 3*20 p.m.
do.
Crookhaven ....
5*20 p.m.
do* Berehaven (Castletown nearest post-office) 8*50 p.m.
do.
Valentia .....
6* 10 p.m.
do.
Limerick .
.
.
* .
2* 8 a.m.
do.
Galway .
.
.
.
.
7:50 a.m.
do.
Edward Rose, Master, R.N.
Keelies to Queries^
(No.
8.)
Post Office*
