RMS

[historydavid]

Would some kind soul please inform me what RMS stands for?

Best wishes

David

[carninyj]

RMS = Royal Mail Steamer

What's the context?

Regards

Carninyj

[Tom Morgan]

Would some kind soul please inform me what RMS stands for?

Best wishes

David

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

Royal Mail Steamer as in RMS "Titanic."

Tom

[historydavid]

carninyj, I didn't have a particular ship in mind.

Thanks for your responses.

best wishes

David

[TD60]

Hello

Little detail:

I have read also RMS = Royal Mail Ship ; exemple for RMS Leinster sunk 10/10/1918.

Regards

[michaeldr]

It seems to have come into use in the mid-19thc; prior to that boats carrying mail were refered to as 'Packet'

Michael D.R.

[oak]

David,

I believe that RMS stands for Royal Mail Steamer (rather than ship). I have written a book on the sinking of the R.M.S. Leinster and -- as Michael has said -- the term seems to have come into use in the 19th Century (with the advent of steamships). I have not come across its use for earlier periods.

Some points of interest:

(1) Another famous ship to bear the R.M.S. prefix was the R.M.S. Lusitania.

(2) Michael mentioned that ships carrying the mail were earlier known as "packets.' Earlier still they were known as "pacquets." Initially the ships were only allowed to carry messages from the King/Queen. These were known as "paquets of letters". The term "pacquet" was later applied to the ships that carried the "pacquets of letters."

(3) From ancient times Royal communications were carried by messengers on horseback. The messengers would collect fresh horses at depots along the way. The depots were known as "posts." Henry VIII appointed an official to supervise these "posts". His title was "Post Master". The modern terms "Post Master" and "post" dervive from this.

End of postal history lesson!!!

Regards,

Philip

[historydavid]

Hello Philip,

No need to apologise, all info can be useful at some time.

Thanks

David