LOSS OF MAIL STEAMSHIP ‘RANGOON.’

Thames Guardian and Mining Record, Volume I, Issue 58, 13 December 1871, Page 3

LOSS OF MAIL STEAMSHIP ‘RANGOON.’

To the Editor of the THAMES GUARDIAN. Sir, —The ‘ Rangoon ’ is lost, and with her the European and Indian mails, is the news to hand per ‘ Hero.’ Ido not think that it Avill turn out that the mail Avill be altogethei lost, but that it Avill arrive, although possibly in a damaged state, by the next steamer from Galle. My reasons for coming to this conclusion are three : Ist. My knowledge of the place ; 2nd. time of the year ; and 3rd. the resources for recovery of sunken property possessed by the P. & 0. Company. For the Ist she is sunk in 15 fathoms on a Bhelvy bank off Galle Light-house, the depth of water proving her to be close in shore, and easily got-at-able.

2nd. November month is N. E. Monsoon Aveather, when the Aveather off Ceylon is beautifully fine, Avith nothing but a swell to contend against. 3rd. At every station of the P. &0. Company a complete set of diving apparatus is kept for just such emergencies as the present, and I knoAv the strictest rule in the Company’s order book is “ The saving of her Majesty’s mails, is the most important business to be attended to, in case of fir* or Avreck, and will take precedence of all other Avork,” so that I think those expecting letters may yet hope to get them, although, as I said before, in a slightly damaged state. The s.s. 1 Malabar ’ Avas lost in Galle harbour in 18G0, and although tAvo months about it, the Company, Avith their divers, recovered the whole of the mails and cargo. I received a letter in China that was amongst her mail, and was some days under water, it was of course damaged but perfectly readable. Apologising for taking up so much of your space,—l am &c., An Old P. & 0.