Page 18 - 201710_BWISC-Convention_Booth_BWI-MaritimeMail

WEST INDIES MARITIME MAIL - PRE 1842
SHIP LETTERS

The London Ship Letter office was established in 1799 and a differential rate of 4d
established for letters that were considered to originate from Post Offices under British control.
This was normally indicated by a crown mark, the Id rate continuing to be used in conjunction
with a straight-line mark

An entire written at Port Morant, Jamaica on 26th April 1802 and endorsed “Favord by
Captain Kent of the Charlotte”. In the U.K. it was struck by a Dover crown ship letter (Tabeart S6)
and therefore charged 4d, plus 6d inland for 72 miles, a total of lOd. It arrived at the Jamaica
Coffee House in London on 15tn July, a transit of 82 days.