1854 HANDWRITTEN MANUSCRIPT FOLDED LETTER DETAILING THE SHIPWRECK OF THE 'HUMBOLDT' NEAR HALIFAX NOVA SCOTIA

On offer is a super handwritten manuscript folded letter dated Halifax, January 5, 1854. The author details to his nephew John M. Lines "the unfortunate loss of the Humboldt." He describes the sinking which took place in less than an hour on December 5. The ship had taken on a pilot "He ran the ship against a ____ ____ which broke a part of the bow . . . leaking badly, in about half an hour sinking. She was filling with water . . ." Where this happened was about 12 miles from Halifax in a rocky place and "She soon became a total wreck." There were about 750 packages of cargo. "The loss must be heavy, on ship and cargo." The letter measures approx. 7 3/4" x 10". The Humboldt was a renowned ship of the New York and Havre Steam Navigation Co. The Cunard Niagara carried her passengers on to Boston. Research suggests this letter was carried to Liverpool aboard the Cunard Line's America. Numerous postal markings - most indistinct - but a nice clear Liverpool, JA 16, 1854 mark. Mailed to Paris.