Jersey being an island the transport of all manner of supplies and necessities into and out of Jersey was undertaken by sea before the advent of aircraft provided another means. This of course included the mail.
Before the Government mail packet service the only way to reach the island from Great Britain was by privately owned ships
The first Government mail packet service between Great Britain and Jersey came about when France entered the American War of Independence against Britain in 1778.
It was discontinued on the cessation of the hostilities, but resumed in February 1794 when the British Post Office inaugurated a weekly mail service between Weymouth and St Helier, with two sailing cutters ROYAL CHARLOTTE and ROVER.
On 3rd February 1794, a notice appeared in the ‘London Gazette’ announcing that the first packet the 80 ton cutter ROYAL CHARLOTTE was to set sail from Weymouth to the Channel Islands on 13th February and an act of Parliament was passed on 28th March 1794 establishing the packet service. It also fixed postage rates and authorised the Postmaster General to establish post office and roads in the Island. The Act was never registered by the Royal Court of Jersey, however and so was not law in the Island. The ROYAL CHARLOTTE was joined by the ROVER to serve this route which, on a good day would take 16 hours.
Log Book gives for the ROYAL CHARLOTTE that she was about 80 tons, 50ft long with a beam of 12ft. and built of oak. She was taken from the packet service from Dover.
Not a fate given.
Jersey 2010 39P sg?, scott?
Source: Jersey Stamp Bulletin number 152 of April 2010. Log Book from a article written by Ray Hull.
When in 1794 the British Mail opened a weekly mail service between Weymouth and the British Channel Islands, two cutters were put in this service the ROYAL CHARLOTTE and the ROVER, two former Dover packets. It is believed that one of these mail cutters is depict on this stamp used by Jersey.
July 1927 two paddle steamers of 160 ton, the WATERSPRITE and IVANHOE were put in this service and the cutters withdrawn
Jersey 1978 6p sg197.