We found this letter in the back of a second-hand book. We think it could be of historical importance and deserves a wider circulation. We offered it the National Maritime Museum in London but it was not wanted. We have checked the address but cannot trace the author.   Sailing clippers sailed to Australia until the late 1930's so its probably there is now no-one alive who sailed on them. Amazingly the picture I chose at random is the second ship mentioned in the letter.