1930 (February 20), ‘DAMAGED BY FIRE ON S.S. COMORIN’, handstamp on
cover from Australia to London, originating in Sydney, franked
1930 (February 20), ‘DAMAGED BY FIRE ON S.S. COMORIN’, handstamp on
cover from Australia to London, originating in Sydney, franked with
1½d rose red King George V definitive, tied by Sydney slogan
cancellation, bearing black boxed handstamp "DAMAGED BY FIRE ON
S.S. COMORIN" on front, imprint on flap of the Expanded Steel and
Concrete Products Co, condition was expected for such a cover, a
desirable example of disaster mail. The P&O steamer Comorin
departed Sydney on 19 February 1930 bound for England; on the night
of 12 March, as she prepared to depart Colombo, Ceylon, a fire
broke out in Hold No. 3. Sea water was used to flood the hold, with
the fire fully extinguished by 14 March. As a result, much of the
mail was water-damaged. The Comorin resumed its voyage on 17 March
and arrived in London on 2 April. On 3 April, the Postmaster
General announced delays due to the need to dry the mail before
delivery.
