Unpaid lettersheet dated St. Thomas 30 January 1853 to Frankfurt, Germany sent onboard RMSPC „THAMES”, stamped with large arc “ST. THOMAS 6 FEB 1853” and arriving Southampton 7 March, stamped London 7 MR 1853, transit “AUS ENGLAND 8/3”. Routing instruction “Pr. Steamer via Ostende). Due to heavy gales from 15/2 delayed for more than a week. Charged 1/4 d for British postage, and German due (58 Rb. Sk.). Letters from DWI to Germany from this period considered a rarity.