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THIS OBJECT IS PART OF THE PROJECT 'A HISTORY OF CORNWALL IN 100 OBJECTS'.

NATIONAL MARITIME MUSEUM CORNWALL. For more than a hundred and fifty years Falmouth was the world's post office. The packets ran regular services and routes. This canvas mail bag was found in a Falmouth attic and reads 'HMS 'Crane' Letters for England'. It may be one of the last ever carried on a packet ship.

The 'Crane' was a star class naval brig, completed by the admiralty as a packet in 1839. Built at Woolwich, her first commander was Lt. John Hill. She was initially employed on the West Indies service. In 1842 she was transferred to the South American route under Lt. Thomas A. Lewis and from 1847, Lt. John Parsons was her commander. Her final sailing from Falmouth was on the 6th September 1850 and she returned on the 29th December, having taken 47 days from Rio, carrying five passengers and about £10,000 worth of freight. This was the end of Falmouth packets and 'Crane' was probably broken up c.1862.