Stamps and Postal History of Spain, featuring China, Colombia – Prephilatelic Spanish period –, British Colonies, Japan, Portugal and Switzerland

MAURICIO. 1843 (June 8th). Autograph letter signed by A. Thom, 8 June 1843, addressed to Stokes on board ´The Beagle´ at PORT LOUIS (Mauritius), four pages 4to envelope. Thom writes on his work in tracing the movement and behaviour of the recent hurricane in the vicinity of Mauritius, and begs Stokes to await the conclusion of this work before he places the matter before the Admiralty. He comments on the ignorance of the ships´ masters involved of the true nature of the hurricane, on the slow movement of the eye of the hurricane, and on the correct course of action for a ship caught in it. Stoke and ´The Beagle´ were returning home from their survey of the coasts of Australia. An important and historic item with the famous discovery ship ´H.M.S. Beagle´.