INDIA RIVER MAIL CARRYING LONGBOOT

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aukepalmhof
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INDIA RIVER MAIL CARRYING LONGBOOT

Post by aukepalmhof » Sun Jan 31, 2021 8:53 pm

India issued in December 1997 a series of stamps for the Indepex ’97 World Philatelic Exhibition of which the 6.00R stamp shows us a sailing mail boat in one of the rivers of India.
By the stamp is given:
An experimental River Mail was commenced in 1828 by the Governor-General Lord William Bentinck for carrying mail via the river from Calcutta to Allahabad.
By 1834 the Prinsep enterprise was well established with longboats of six sails ( The stamp shows 4 sails) and with steam power in the bow and a rudder astern. These craft with a shallow draught could easily navigate the river with a depth of 2½ ft. of water at most places even at the height of the monsoon.
Though initially they were used only to transport parcels, later was this extended to the transport of goods and the mails.

Source: https://www.istampgallery.com/
India 1997 6.00R sg and 2004 5.00R sg 1759 and 2004 sg 2224a, Scott ? and 5.00R sg2224, Scott?
Attachments
1997 River-Mail-Barge.jpg
2004 150-Years-of-India-Post-Strip-of-4.jpg
2004 Early-Stamp-Mail-Ship-and-Carriage.jpg

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