British west african mail packets to 1900
A fascinating topic!
The British West African Mail Packets, also known as the "West African Mail", were a series of mail packets that operated between the United Kingdom and the British colonies in West Africa from the mid-19th century to the early 20th century. Here's an overview of the mail packets up to 1900:
Early Years (1840s-1860s)
The first mail packets to West Africa were established in the 1840s, with the British and African Steam Navigation Company (BASN) operating a service between Liverpool and the Gold Coast (now Ghana). The company's ships, such as the "African" and "Britannia", carried mail, passengers, and cargo between the UK and West Africa.
Gulf of Guinea Mail (1860s-1880s)
In the 1860s, the British and African Steam Navigation Company (BASN) introduced a new service, known as the Gulf of Guinea Mail, which connected the UK to the colonies in the Gulf of Guinea, including the Gold Coast, Sierra Leone, and the Gambia.
West African Mail (1880s-1900)
In the 1880s, the West African Mail was established, with the British and African Steam Navigation Company (BASN) and other shipping lines, such as the Elder Dempster Line, operating mail packets between the UK and West Africa. The West African Mail service connected the UK to the colonies in West Africa, including the Gold Coast, Sierra Leone, the Gambia, Nigeria, and the Congo Free State.
Notable Mail Packets (up to 1900)
Some notable mail packets that operated during this period include:
- African (1845): One of the first mail packets to West Africa, operated by the British and African Steam Navigation Company (BASN).
- Britannia (1847): Another early mail packet operated by BASN.
- Gambia (1860s): A mail packet operated by the Elder Dempster Line, which connected the UK to the Gambia.
- Gold Coast (1870s): A mail packet operated by BASN, which connected the UK to the Gold Coast (now Ghana).
- Sierra Leone (1880s): A mail packet operated by the Elder Dempster Line, which connected the UK to Sierra Leone.
Impact and Legacy
The British West African Mail Packets played a significant role in connecting the UK to the colonies in West Africa, facilitating trade, commerce, and communication between the two regions. The mail packets also helped to establish British influence and control over the region, which was a key factor in the colonization of West Africa.
The legacy of the British West African Mail Packets can be seen in the modern-day postal services and shipping lines that operate between the UK and West Africa.