ABSTRACT
In 1850, following protracted negotiations with the Admiralty, a revised 10-year mail contract commencing 1 January 1851 was agreed for the West Indies service, with an extended route network, greatly increased mileage and speeded-up services. An additional 30,000 payment was offered for a monthly mail service from Southampton to the east coast of South America, only major destination from Britain still served by Admiralty sailing packets. In August 1850 a sailing ship, Southampton, was chartered to carry the first shipment of coal to the new coaling stations at St Vincent in the Cape Verde Islands and in Rio de Janeiro where Company had been granted land for purpose, and for establishing repair facilities. Additionally, coal was available at Madeira and in Bahia and Montevideo. Stocks were regularly maintained using chartered sailing ships. In Royal Mail's transatlantic ships, passengers were accommodated in two decks under the top/spar, or main deck, with officers and crew towards the forward end of the vessel.
