7.
67
she should, if those conversant with the subject think it feasible, be propelled by Screw: A vessel of this class can be made, as I am informed at
informed at Whampoa
for about 6,000 dollars, and to insure her being properly constructed, she might be built under the inspection of the Naval officer stationed at that Port, unless Her Majesty's Government preferred her being prepared at Bombay or Moulmein.
9. Your Lordship will be aware that formerly
a
Government Gunboat
was
attached to the Colony, as sanctioned in Desp. 1235 of 17th October 1846 from the Colonial Office; she was wrecked in a storm
on
the 20th July 1847, and has not been replaced, but a large police boat was substituted for her; this latter vessel was lost in a Typhoon in September last, and as I did not consider her sufficiently
efficient
or that her services sanctioned the
expenditure, I have not recommended another instead, and we are now
without
altogether
any force of this description.
The
wages of the Crew of the Gunboat amounted to £86 per month, and I
presume that a small Steamer such as I have described, might be maintained at
about the
same expense.
I have the honor to be,
With the highest respect,
Your Lordship's,
Most obedient Humble Servant
Since writing the above I have had the advantage of consulting Captain ... on board of Her Majesty's Steamer "Inflexible", and he has kindly furnished me with the