Transatlantic mail between France and the USA and vice versa - Collins line between 1 September 1851 - 31 December 1856; 1853 (Dec 1):
Transatlantic mail between France and the USA and vice versa - Collins line between 1 September 1851 - 31 December 1856; 1853 (Dec 1): Entire letter from San Francisco to Bordeaux, sent first with the 'Winfield Scott' which wrecked on Anacapa Island, sent from New York with the 'Atlantic' of the Collins line, endorsed "p. Winfield Scott via New York", struck on obverse by "SAN FRANCISCO CAL." despatch cds and "PAID 26" handstamp in the same black ink as well as clear two-line "STEAMER / WINFIELD SCOTT" ship purser handstamp, "NEW YORK Am PACKET / FEB 4" transit cds and French "ÉTATS-UNIS PAQ. AM. / PARIS" entry cds, all three in red. Reverse with London and PARIS transit as well as BORDEAUX arrival (Feb 19). There are less then ten covers known with this purser handstamp, this strike being one of the best and the only one going abroad with the 'Atlantic' whose voyage lasted from February 4-16, 1854 between New York and Liverpool. Note: The 'Winfield Scott' was 225-foot steam paddlewheeler was named for the commanding general of the U. S. Army, Mexican War hero and presidential nominee. Westervelt and MacKay of New York built the Winfield Scott in 1850 for a route between New York and New Orleans. In July 1853 she was sold to the Pacific Mail Steamship Company and served the San Francisco - Panama route. Loaded with over 300 passengers and crew and a reported $1 million in gold bullion (some accounts but the figure at $2 million), the Winfield Scott departed San Francisco on December 1, 1853. The next evening Captain Simon F. Blunt chose to pass through the Santa Barbara Channel to save time, but in a dense fog crashed into Middle Anacapa at full speed at 11:00 in the evening. The Captain immediately sent out a boat to see where he could land the passengers. The purser reported that a little island separate from the main one was nearest and that the passengers could be placed on it for the night. The next morning the passengers, some mail, and the treasure were taken onto the main island. The large group camped on the island for up to a week. The 'California' saw smoke from the passengers' fires and rescued the women. It returned on December 9 and, in heavy swells, removed the rest of the passengers, leaving the ship's company on the island who attempted to save mail, baggage, furniture and some machinery from the wreck. On the 10th the steamer 'Southerner' hove into sight and landed provisions for the officers and crew. Up to that time, the Winfield Scott had not been broken up by the action of the waves. When the Republic arrived the next day, however, the midship was sunk and Captain Blunt gave up all hope of saving her or getting her off the ledge. The crew went out to the ship and saved what they could before boarding the Republic for San Francisco. Some time later, the side-wheeler toppled off the ledge and sank. (Taken from https://www.nps.gov/) Thus, obviously the mail was rescued not in one go. This cover was taken by the 'Republic' first back to San Francisco and from there on 29 December to Panama where it arrived on 14 January 1854. The 'Ohio' brought it from Aspinwall / Colon to New York arriving there on 29 January and where it was picked up by the 'Atlantic' of the Collins line.
