Short paid to Bermuda 1904

FairfieldBermuda
This 1904 undivided back postcard by B.C. Fairfield & Son, Stationers in St. Catharines, Ontario shows “Greetings from St. Catharines, Canada” with a scene from Thorold Mountain to Merritton. The card bears a 1¢ KEVII stamp postmarked in Merritton on February 8, 1904, and mailed via New York to Miss Millie Newcombe in Prospect, Bermuda, c/o Serg. J. Newcombe, Royal Engineers, Prospect, Bermuda from her cousin Henry. The back bears a pair of short paid markings.

The Royal Engineers 27th Company (Submarine Mining) had been permanently reassigned from Halifax, Nova Scotia to Bermuda in 1888 (part of the company had been split off to create the new 40th Company, which remained in Halifax), where they continued to maintain the mine defences to protect the harbour. In 1900 the Royal Engineers Submarine Mining Companies also assumed responsibility for operating electric searchlights defending harbours.