Memphis

[shipstamps]

1890-1897. Built at Hartlepool in 1872 by Alexander Withy for Deutsche Dampfschiffahrt Gesellschaft Kosmos, who operated the mail service to and from the Falklands from 1880 until July 1, 1900, according to an official report. However there were two ships of this name owned by the German company; the first, mentioned above, and a second, built in 1894 at Hamburg, of 3,81 5 gross tons. No doubt the stamp shows the earlier ship in view of the sails she is carrying. SG339A

[aukepalmhof]

Built as an iron cargo vessel under yard No. 34 by Alexander Withy, Middleton near Hartlepool for the Deutsche Dampfschiffarth Gesellschaft Kosmos, Hamburg.
16 November 1872 launched under the name MEMPHIS, two sisters.
Tonnage 1.527 gross, dim. 76.29 x 10.06 x 5.18m.
Powered by a 2-cyl. compound steam engine, manufactured by T. Richardson & Son, 150 nhp., twin screws, speed?
November 1872 delivered to owners.

There was an element of luck how the Kosmos company got the mail contract, as given in Log Book Volume 12 page 231.
March 1880 the then British Governor of the Falkland Islands, T.F.Callaghan, found that that due to disagreements, the mail contract at that time between the Government and the Falkland Islands Company came to abrupt end; landing him with the job of having to quickly make new arrangements for the continuance of the mail service.
However, with perfect timing, the flagship of the Hamburg based Kosmos line, the RAMSES, sailed into Stanley Harbour on the twentieth of April, prospecting for possible mail contracts; haven obligingly brought the English mail from Montevideo with her. (The British ambassador at Montevideo had requested the captain of the RAMSEY to take the mail, which become delayed.)
Not surprisingly the KOSMON shipping company got the contract.
11 July 1880 the SAKKARAH the first ship in this mail contract between the United Kingdom and the Falkland Islands arrived in Port Stanley. The MEMPHIS was the second arriving in September 1880.

The mail contract with Kosmos expired in July 1900, when the British Mail decided that British mail to and from the British colonies not more could be carried by foreign vessels.

The MEMPHIS was already before sold.
1891 Sold to Dampfschifahrtreederei 1889, Hamburg, renamed SIEGFRIED.
1899 Sold to Cia Sevillana de Nav. a Vap., Spain and renamed in SANTA ANA.
1919 Sold to Hijos de Jose Taya S ec C., Spain not renamed.
1923 Sold to J.Mitats y Umbert, Spain, not renamed.
1926 Sold to O. Savietti, Italy renamed in S. PRIMO.
First quarter of 1929 broken up.

Source: Log Book. Register of Merchant ships completed in 1872.