This letter contains a reference to the disappearance of the Rev. D. S. Davies when the schooner "Electric Spark" sank off the coast of Brazil.

David Stephen Davies (1841-98) played a prominent part in promoting the Welsh Settlement in the United States. In 1874, Davies led a small group of emigrants to Patagonia aboard the ship 'Electric Spark'. However, during the voyage, 'Electric Spark' was shipwrecked off the coast of Brazil. Valuable agricultural implements were lost but the passengers reached the shore safely. They proceeded to Buenos Aires, where they sheltered for a while in 'Cartref yr Ymfudwyr', before being transported to Patagonia aboard the ship 'Irene'.