Several French naval officers are at present in Boston, and are about forming a contract with one of the shipbuilders there to build twelve clipper ships of about 1500 tons each, to be employed on the French colonial trade. That government intends colonizing New Caledonia, and these clippers are to be employed in carrying passengers there from France ; these vessels having been preferred over steamers by a comparison of their passages with the steamers from England to Australia, in which it is shown that their average length of time has been shorter, and also because they can be sailed much more economically than steamers.

SG & SGTL Vol 12 ; Page 30 ; 29 Jan 1855

^ back to top ^