shipstamps.co.uk

In March 1841, the Royal Mail Steam Packet Company entered a contract with the Government for the conveyance of the mails between England and the West Indies; and they commenced business upon a larger scale than any other company had done up to that time. They began with 14 steamships. The first steamer carrying the mails was the THAMES, which left Falmouth on January 3, 1842, for Berbice. Built by William Pitcher, at Northfleet, on the Thames, she was a wooden-hulled, paddle-wheeler, with engines by Maudslay, Sons and Field, of London. Her gross registered tonnage (old measurement) was 1,889. After fitting out in the East India Dock she moved down river to anchor off Gravesend. Here she took aboard the R.M.S.P.'s first passengers and left for Falmouth, to pick up her first mails. In 1850 she was fitted out with feathering floats on the paddle-wheels. These improved her speed by two knots from an average 8.4 to 10.4 knots. She was in service until 1865.
SG383

Built as a wooden side paddle steamer by the yard of William Pitcher at Northfleet on the River Thames for the Royal Mail Line.
20 May 1841 launched as the THAMES.
Tonnage 1,889 gross, 1,285 net, dim. 83.82 x 18.29 (over paddle wheels) x 9.14m.
Powered by a side-lever 2-cyl steam-engine, manufactured by Maudsley Sons & Field, London, 400 nhp, speed 8.5 knots.
Passenger accommodation for 100 passengers.
Rigged as a three mast barkentine. Underwater hull coper sheated.
December 1841 completed, building cost approximate £60,000.

She was fitted out in the East India Dock, London before she moved to Gravesend where she anchored, and her passengers embarked.
29 December 1841 under command of Captain P. Hast she sailed from Gravesend to Falmouth for the mails and on 3 January 1841 she sailed from Falmouth for her maiden voyage to Berbice, Guyana, Havana, New York and Halifax.
For the voyage to the West Indies she made calls at Corunna and Madera for coal bunkers and on the homeward trip was Bermuda the bunker stop.
Average crossing was 19 days.
In 1850 she was fitted with feathering floats which increased her speed with two miles an hour.
1854 Used for troop transport to the Crimea.
11 August 1854 she transported 400 passengers to Queen Victoria Fleet Review at Spithead, it was the first cruise of the Royal Mail Line.
1859 For a short time was she used in the service between Southampton and Alexandria, Egypt
1865 Was she broken up at St Thomas, West Indies.

Jamaica 1974 Miniature Sheet sg?, scott382a