Posted by Alan Hakim on January 18, 2006 at 19:33:24 from 212.137.226.200 user awhakim.
In Reply to: Re: Signs of the Times - Malta Post/Telegraph Service posted by John Wilson on January 17, 2006 at 23:44:50:
It is most likely that the telegram was a "Letter Telegram", which charged for a minimum of 22 words at half the standard price. In return, you accepted an overnight service, with delivery some time on the day after the cable was handed in.
If you look at the text:
WALKER CARE DIXON HOLLYHOWE RIO ENGLAND
BETTER DROWNED THAN DUFFERS IF NOT DUFFERS WONT DROWN
DADDY
that's 16 words, therefore uneconomic at full rate but well within the 22 word minimum. He might even have added LOVE TO YOU ALL for no extra cost, but it didn't get quoted in the book.
On the other hand, it could be that the Navy had special arrangements, e.g a signal to Portsmouth converted to an inland telegram there. As we know from PM, that cost 12 words for a shilling and 1d (a penny) a word thereafter.