DISASTER MAIL: 1901 printed envelope from Algeria to France with stamp floated off, cancelled by Tlemcen cds, carried by the packet boat ''Russie'' which was stranded in high wind in front of the semaphore at Faraman near Marseilles, with ''Naufrage De La Russie'' boxed h/s in rarer colour of magenta, backstamped by Marseilles and Elbeuf arrivals, scarce. ? ? Over one hundred passengers and crew had to endure four days on board the stricken vessel before being taken off and divers sent in to recover the mail. (Image)

USA: 1846 entire letter to England sent from Wilmington, Delaware USA, carried by ''R.M.S Hibernia'' which ran aground twice off Cape Race (Newfoundland) and at Chebucto Head (Nova Scotia) both times breaching the hull and subsequently repaired, marked by Wilmington Del, and Paid despatch marks, and backstamped by Liverpool arrival d/s for AP 14. (Image)

DISASTER MAIL: 1897 envelope from Pennsylvania to England with stamps floated off, carried by the ''S.S. Paul'' which in circumstances unknown came into distress in the Atlantic and the mails were immersed in water, face bearing boxed 'Damaged by Immersion in Sea Water' h/s in violet and London arrival for 24 JUL, backstamped by appropriate transit markings and Found open and Officially sealed label, scarce. ? ? Lot also includes picture postcard of the ''S.S. Paul'' (Image)

USA: 1955 cover from New York to Malta carried upon the ''M.V. Star of Malta'' which ran aground and capsized in thick fog off Dragunara Point, Malta, with stamp floated off and bearing ''DAMAGED BY SEAWATER EX ''STAR OF MALTA'' 29.7.55" cachet in black, with sealing tape on reverse struck by Valleta arrival marks for AU 1, scarce. (Image)