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Sketches in India - the Catamaran Postman, 1858. Creator: Unknown
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Sketches in India - the Catamaran Postman, 1858. Creator: Unknown
Sketches in India - the Catamaran Postman, 1858. Having..."shinned" up the side [of the ship] via the chains, on to the deck, "Catamaran Jack" (as the sailors familiarly term him), with his conical cap of basket-work, his only attire, saving scanty drawers of calico...proceeds to untie the string of his cap, from the waxcloth lining of which he produces a letter wrapped in a small piece of calico. The letter he hands to the captain, and the calico is replaced in his helmet for future service. These adventurous postmen paddle forth in all weathers...Jack's calling is a dangerous one. Sharks swarm on the Coromandel coast, and Jack has frequently to do battle with them. In these encounters the paddle...is used with a desperation equal to the emergency. Although for the most part victorious, many of these boatmen fall victims to the voracity of the shark-the most deadly enemy to swimmers in tropical seas. In the Sketch a masoolah-boat is making for the beach in the distance. These vessels, which, like the catamaran, will live in almost any sea, are constructed of thin planks sewed together with coarse rope and caulked; they are, consequently, very flexible, and give way to the force of the surf, which is always running high on this coast. From "Illustrated London News", 1858
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Media ID 36352915
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Communication Correspondence Danger Dangerous Delivering Delivery Flexible Letter Letters Mail Paddling Peril Post Postman Raft Waterproof Wave Waves Catamaran Hindoostan
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Sketches in India - The Catamaran Postman, 1858
EDITORS COMMENTS
captures an intriguing moment in the life of a catamaran postman off the Coromandel coast of India. In this image, the postman, affectionately known as "Catamaran Jack," is shown climbing up the side of the catamaran using chains, his only attire being a conical cap made of basket-work and scanty drawers of calico. Once he reaches the deck, he removes the letter from under the lining of his cap and hands it to the captain. The calico is then replaced in his helmet for future use. The role of the catamaran postman was a dangerous one, as they paddled through all weather conditions. Sharks were a constant threat, and Jack had to fend them off with his paddle during encounters. Despite the risks, these postmen continued their service, braving the waters and the sharks to deliver mail to destinations along the coast. The boat in the background is a masoolah-boat, a flexible vessel made of thin planks sewn together with coarse rope and caulked. These boats were known for their ability to withstand the rough seas and surf that was always present on this coast. The image is from the "Illustrated London News," published in 1858, and provides a fascinating glimpse into the life of a catamaran postman in India during that time.
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