Royal Mail Steamer

The designation has been used since the 1840s . It was used by a large number of companies, but is often associated in particular with the Cunard line, which held a number of high-profile mail Contract business, and which traditionally prefixed the titles of all its ships with the initials "RMS". The best-known ship carrying the prefix is almost certainly the RMS ''Titanic'' of the White Star Line .

Technically, a Ship would use the prefix only while contracted to carry mail, and would revert at other times to a standard type designation such as " SS ".

Initially the Admiralty operated these ships. In 1850 contracts were awarded to private companies. The most valuable route, with the highest volume, was between Kingstown (now Dún Laoghaire) , in Ireland , and Holyhead in Wales . The CDSPCo (City of Dublin Steam Packet Company) won the contract and purchased ''RMS Saint Columa'' and ''RMS Llwywllyn'' from the Admiralty.

Having the title ''RMS'' was seen as a mark of quality and a competitive advantage, because the mail had to be on time. In the 1860 CDSPCo contract there was a penalty clause of £1.1.4 (one Pound and one Shilling and four Pence ) for every minute's delay.

In recent years the shift to air transport for mail has left only a few ships with the right to the prefix; notably RMS ''St. Helena'' , which serves the island of St. Helena in the South Atlantic, and RMS ''Queen Mary 2'' .

RMMV, for '''Royal Mail Motor Vessel''', and '''RMMS''', for '''Royal Mail Motor Ship''', are also sometimes seen, but are much less common.

NOTABLE ROYAL MAIL SHIPS

Information About

Royal Mail Steamer