Ship Theme Gallery

Indian Coast Guard Ship Ahalyabai - Silver Jubilee

2013-05-13T08:05:00.001+05:30

Date of Issue: September 09, 2012

Indian Coast Guard Ship Ahalyabai named after the Queen of Maheshwar, celebrated the 25th anniversary of its service to the nation on September 09, 2012.

The ship, like the great queen, has protected the vast coastline of the Indian subcontinent, in addition to its Coast Guard charter of duties, like search and rescue and pollution control.

In a fitting tribute to the ship, a special cover and a photo journal depicting the operations of Ahalyabai were released by the Chief Guest, Inspector General SP Sharma, Commander Coast Guard Region (East), at a grand ceremony at the VOC Port, Thoothukudi (Tuticorin), in the presence of the Post Master General (PMG) Kulbir Singh and other civil dignitaries.

The 44.9-meter-long Indian Coast Guard Ship was commissioned in Singapore on September 9, 1987 under the reins of the then Deputy Commandant SPS Basra.

Over the last 25 years, 19 commanding officers have been at its helm, and the ship has sailed more than 3 lakh nautical miles covering the Indian EEZ, resulting in the seizure of gold worth half a billion rupees and contraband worth 30 million. Over the last 25 years, the ship has operated from three different base ports -- Haldia, Mumbai and Thoothukudi. The PMG said that this is the first time that a special cover is being released to commemorate the Silver Jubilee anniversary of a ship.

Source: NewIndianExpress - 10.09.2012

150 Years of Red Cross - Postmark - Germany - DRK-Hilfsschiff MS Flora

2013-05-09T19:04:00.001+05:30

Date of Issue: Apr 06, 2013

A special postmark was introduced at Kiel, Germany by Deutsche Post, to commemorate 150 Years of Red

Cross. The World Red Cross Day is celebrated on May 8th - Birth date of Henry Dunant - a Swiss businessman and social activist, who on 1863 founded the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC). This year, 2013 marks the 150 Years of the foundation of Red Cross. This special postmark shows the German Red Cross Auxiliary Ship - MS Flora.

MS Flora: Built in 1966, MS Flora was acquired by the German Red Cross in the year 1979. The ship was equipped for the transportation of supplies and disposal of medical aid locally using a board hospital with operating room , in which the Sisters of the Red Cross sororities were used. The hospital board

was mainly used for outpatient treatment, inpatient treatment but were also possible.

In order to bring relief without existing infrastructure on land, the ship possessed a motorized pontoon landing ( Flori starlet ), with the help of three ship cranes could be loaded. The pontoon was on the front hatch cover carried.

Thanks to friend, Mr. Wolfgang Beyer from Germany for sending me this cover to add in my collection.

Source: Wikipedia

Indian Naval Signal School, Kochi - 50 Glorious Years (1958 - 2008)

2013-05-05T07:45:00.003+05:30

Date of Issue: March 08, 2008

The Department of Posts, Kerala Circle issued special cover to commemorate 50 Years of Indian Naval Signal School, Kochi.

The crest depicts two crossed hand flags and radio waves, to show Visual Signalling and Wireless Communication. The motto in Sanskrit reads 'Yunjan Chakshu, Shrotram Manaha' meaning 'Open your Eyes, Ears, and Mind."

The first signal school was established as a temporary establishment, at Carnac Bunder in 1919. It was converted into a permanent establishment in 1920 inside Naval Dockyard. In 1939, the school was commissioned as HMIS Talwar and was relocated to a permanent building in Colaba which is now the MT Pool. The school was shifted to Cochin in August 1946. During the years that followed the signal school was housed successfully in several temporary buildings around the present Command Parade Ground.

The role of signal school is to develop highly qualified personnel with requisite expertise in Naval Communication, Electronic Warfare, and Information Warfare by keeping abreast of changing technological environment with sound technical knowledge and professional acumen so as to optimally exploit the naval communication, electronic warfare equipment, procedures, and network enabled information structure.

Source: indiannavy.nic.in

Greek Cruiser Georgios Averof, 100 Years of Liberation of Thessaloniki

2013-04-17T21:07:00.001+05:30

Date of Issue: October 26, 2012

Hellenic Post issued set of 4 stamps to commemorate 100 years of Liberation of Thessaloniki on October 26, 2012. One of the stamp, 0,85 Euros depicts the Pisa-Class armored cruiser Georgios Averof and other ships, which participated in the First Balkan War (October 2012 - May 2013).

Georgios Averof is a Greek warship which served as the flagship of the Royal Hellenic Navy during most of the first half of the 20th Century. Although popularly known as a battleship, it is in fact an armored cruiser, the only one of its type worldwide still in existence.

With the outbreak of the First Balkan War, Kountouriotis was named Rear Admiral and Commander-in-Chief of the Hellenic Royal Navy. Averof, under Captain Sofoklis Dousmanis, served as the flagship of the fleet, and she took part in the takeover of the islands of the northern and eastern Aegean. During the naval battles at Elli (December 3, 1912) and Lemnos (January 5, 1913) against the Ottoman Navy, she almost single-handedly secured victory and the undisputed control of the Aegean Sea for Greece. In both battles, due to her superior speed, armor and armament, she left the battle line and pursued the Turkish Fleet alone. During the Battle of Elli, Kountouriotis, frustrated by the slow speed of the three older Greek battleships, hoisted the Flag Signal for the letter Z which stood for "Independent Action", and sailed forward alone, with a speed of 20 knots against the Turkish fleet. Averof succeeded in crossing the Turkish fleet's "T" and concentrated her fire against the Ottoman flagship, thus forcing the Ottoman fleet to retreat in disorder. Likewise, during the Battle of Lemnos, when the older battleships failed to follow up with Averof, Kountouriotis did not hesitate to pursue independent action.

During both battles, the ship suffered only slight damage, while inflicting severe damage to several Turkish ships. These exploits propelled the ship and her Admiral to legendary status in Greece. After Lemnos, the crew of the Averof affectionately nicknamed her "Lucky Uncle George". It is a notable fact that, due to the aforementioned delays in the delivery of ammunition, Averof fired her guns for the first time during the Battle of Elli.

Many thanks to friend, Spyros Soulimiotis for sending this stamp on envelope addressed to me.

Click here to see Georgios Averof depicted in stamp of 1927.

Source: Wikipedia

360 years of Dutch Landing at the Cape, South Africa, portraying Krotoa

2013-04-15T16:37:00.000+05:30

Date of Issue: September 06, 2012

360 years since the arrival of the Dutch at the Cape: portraying Krotoa

On 6 April 1652, Jan van Riebeeck, a commander in the Dutch East India Company (VOC) sailed into Table Bay with his fleet of two ships, the Drommedaris and the Reijger and the yacht Goede Hoop. Van Riebeeck was sent to the Cape from Amsterdam to establish a halfway station thatcould supply passing ships with fresh food and wine. A young Khoikhoi girl named Krotoa, also knows as Eva to the Dutch, who worked in the Van Riebeeckhousehold, became an important figure in South Africa's history.

To mark 360 years since the arrival of the Dutch at the Cape and to acknowledge the role played by Krotoa, the South African Post Office issued a miniature sheet with one stamp and a souvenir folder.

The Dutch: The VOC, one of the major European trading houses sailing the spice route to the East via the Cape of Good Hope, had no intention of colonizing the southern tip of Africa, instead wanting only to establish a secure base camp where passing ships could shelter, and where sailors could stock up on fresh supplies of meat, fruit, and vegetables.

While the new settlement traded out of necessity with the neighboring Khoikhoi, it was not a friendly relationship, and the company authorities made deliberate attempts to restrict contact. This prevented them from employing Khoikhoi, which resulted in a shortage of labor. To remedy the situation, the company released a small number of Dutch from their contracts and permitted them to establish farms, with which they would supply the VOC settlement from their harvests. They produced supplies of vegetables, wheat and fruit, especially citrus to prevent scurvy, and later also raised livestock.

The small initial group of free burghers, as these farmers were known, steadily increased in number and began to expand their farms further north and east into the territory of the Khoikhoi. Over time, the Khoikhoi, their European overseers, and slaves imported from Madagascar and Indonesia, mixed with the offspring of these unions forming the basis for South Africa's Colored population.

Krotoa: Born in about 1642, a decade before the arrival of Jan van Riebeeck, Krotoa was the first Khoikhoi woman to appear in the European (particularly the VOC) records of the early settlement at the Cape as an individual personality who interacted socially and culturally with the Dutch settlers.

Krotoa's brother-in-law is said to have been Oudasoa, a chief of the Cochoquas (also known as the Saldanhars). Jan van Riebeeck, who became the first governor of the Cape colony, employed her in his household.

As a teenager, Krotoa learned Dutch and Portuguese and like her uncle, Autshumao (known as Harry or Herrie by the Dutch) - a Goringhaicona Khoikhoi leader and trader, she worked as an interpreter for the Dutch who wanted to trade goods for cattle. Krotoa's role as interpreter extended beyond trading, as she was also instrumental in negotiating with the 'Peninsulars', whose foreman was Doman, regarding conflicts around land that erupted into formal war in1659.

Since Krotoa travelled frequently between the Dutch colony and the Cochoquas, she came to embody the notion of an in-between figure, but found little happiness in either community. On 3 May 1662, she was baptised into the Christian religion by a visiting parson, Petrus Sibelius, in the church inside the Fort de Goede Hoop.

On 26 April 1664, she married Pieter van Meerhoff, a Danish surgeon. She was the first Khoikhoi to marry according to Christian customs, and this marriage is the first between a European and a Khoi at the Cape. In May 1665, the couple left the Cape for Robben Island where Van Meerhoff became superintendent. He died on 27 February 1668 on an expedition to Madagascar.

On 30 September 1668, Krotoa returned to the mainland, with her children. According to VOC reports, she was suffering from alcoholism and left the Castle in the settlement to be with her family. In February 1669, she was imprisoned at the Castle and then banished to Robben Island for disorderly conduct. She returned to the mainland on many occasions just to find herself once more banished to Robben Island. Three of her children survived infancy. She died on 29 July 1674 at the Cape and was buried on 30 September in the church at the Fort.

Krotoa's eldest daughter, Pieternella, married Daniel Zaaijman, a friend of Van Riebeeck's. They lived in Madagascar for a while, but returned to the Cape upon the departure of the VOC from the island. Because of Pieternella's documented descendants, Krotoa is regarded a significant ancestor for many South Africans across various races.

The stamps: Designed by Lien Botha, the artwork features a drawing of Krotoa and a VOC ship from a painting by Aernhout Smit (1683). These images are superimposed onto a contemporary photograph taken at Milnerton beach with Table Mountain in the background.

The commemorative folder cover also features the face of Krotoa, this time encircled by a wreath of tulips, which alludes to the Company's Garden and the Dutch connection.

Source: postoffice.co.za

Capt. Cook's Return to England from 2nd Voyage

2013-03-25T10:03:00.001+05:30

Date of Issue: August 08, 1975
Scott #: 433

Cook Islands issued a $2 stamp commemorating Bicentenary of Captain James Cook's return to England from his Second Voyage (1772 - 1775).

The stamp design shows obverse and reverse of a gold commemorative coin issued for this occasion, minted at Franklin Mint for Cook Islands.

The KM# is 13

Weight: 9.600 g

Denomination: $100

Mintage: 17,000

Metal: 0.900 fine gold

Obverse design: Captain James Cook, King George III, and HMS Resolution

Reverse design: Queen Elizabeth II

Chinese Aircraft Carrier - LiaoNing (16)

2013-03-24T19:51:00.001+05:30

Date of Issue: September 25, 2012

Special Cover Issued By: Navy Philatelic Research Society
Designer: Zi Yu
Cover Inscription: Zhai Ren He
Limited Edition: Serial No. HJF-117 of 1500 issued

LiaoNing (16) - This is the first aircraft carrier commissioned into the People's Liberation Army Navy (PLAN). Originally laid down as the Admiral Kuznetsov class multirole aircraft carrier Riga for the Soviet Navy, she was launched on December 4, 1988 and renamed Varyag in 1990. The stripped hulk was purchased in 1998 by the People's Republic of China and towed to Dalian Shipyard in north eastern China. After being completely rebuilt and sea trials, the ship was commissioned into the PLAN as Liaoning on September 25, 2012.

Text Source: Wikipedia

Kublai Khan and his Fleet

2013-03-18T10:29:00.000+05:30

Date of Issue: March 04, 2012

This miniature stamp sheet of Mongolia shows the portrait of the Great Mongol Emperor of 12th Century, and the founder of Yuan Dynasty in China - Kublai Khan and a sailing warship of his period.

Kublai Khan twice attempted to invade Japan. It is believed that both attempts were thwarted by bad weather or a flaw in the design of ships that were based on river boats without keels, and his fleets were destroyed. The first attempt took place in year 1274, with a fleet of 900 ships. After the first Mongol attack on Japan, Japanese pirates known as Wokou raided Korea, but Mongol-Korean forces pushed them back, and the Wokou pirates decreased their activity due to the increased military preparedness of the Goryeo and the Kamakura. In 1293 the Yuan navy captured 100 Japanese people from Okinawa.

The second invasion occurred in year 1281 when Mongols sent two separate forces; 900 ships containing 40,000 Korean, Chinese, and Mongol troops were sent from Masan, while a force of 100,000 sailed from southern China in 3,500 ships, each close to 240 feet (73 m) long.

Kublai Khan also invaded Đại Việt (Vietnam) three times.

Three expeditions against Burma, in 1277, 1283 and 1287, brought the Mongol forces to the Irrawaddy Delta, whereupon they captured Bagan, the capital of the Pagan Kingdom in Burma, and established their government.

Text Source: Wikipedia

Sacred Mayan Journey - Mayan Canoe

2013-03-17T11:39:00.005+05:30

Date of Issue: December 21, 2012

Sacred Mayan Journey - The project of the Sacred Mayan Journey was founded with the purpose of recovering one of the most significant traditions of the ancient Mayan people of the region: the ritual journey of the Cozumel Channel to worship the Ix Chel. Goddess. This event began in 2007 to revive interest in the Mayan culture and strengthen the cultural identity of people of the area.

The Sacred Mayan Journey involves approximately 50 kilometers (total return), representing 6 to 7 hours of free paddling each way in the Cozumel Channel, which is 420 meters deep with a current from south to north 2 to 4 knots, adding to the crossing a level of risk and great physical effort for the rowers.

The set of three stamps produce a single design depicting traditional canoe used by the Mayan people of southeastern Mexico and parts of Central America.

Thanks to friend, Cecy Osuna from Hermosillo, Mexico for sending me the mint set of stamps and stamps on envelope.

Text Source: cozumel.travel

I.N.S. Viraat - 25 Years of Service - 1987 - 2012

2013-02-04T20:59:00.001+05:30

Issue Date: May 12, 2012

Department of Posts, India - Maharashtra and Goa Circle issued a special cover on May 12, 2012 to commemorate 25 glorious years of service to the nation by I.N.S. Viraat.

I.N.S. Viraat (R22): is a Centaur class aircraft carrier in service with the Indian Navy. INS Viraat is the flagship of the Indian Navy, the oldest carrier in service and one of two aircraft carriers based in the Indian Ocean Region. She is the only aircraft carrier of the Indian Navy, which operates Sea Harrier fighter jets, Sea King Helicopters, Kamov Helicopters, and Chetak Helicopters.

Motto: Jalameva Yasya, Balameva Tasya' (Sanskrit: "He who rules over the seas is all powerful")

Crest: The crest depicts an eagle with its air power and arrows depicting all-round attack capability.

I.N.S. Viraat was formerly H.M.S. Hermes, was in service with the Royal Navy from 1959 until 1984, and she served as the flagship of the British forces during the 1982 Falklands War. After being sold to India in 1986, the vessel was recommissioned in May 1987 and remains in service with the Indian Navy as the INS Viraat.

Many thanks to my friend, Amit Surana in Mumbai for helping me to get this cover for my collection.

Source: Wikipedia, indiannavy.nic.in

Postmark: SSS Gorch Fock, Kiel - Germany

2013-01-18T21:46:00.000+05:30

Date of Special Postmark: December 16, 2012

Philatelists Club of Kiel brought out special postmark for Christmas, depicting SSS Gorch Fock, and posted on board. Also seen are Christmas Tree and Stars.

Thanks to friend, Mr. Wolfgang Beyer, Germany for this cover with beautiful postmarks.

Postmark: 25 years of partnership of Dresden & Hamburg

2012-12-26T15:33:00.002+05:30

A registered cover sent by my German friend, Mr. Wolfgang Beyer with special postmark issued by Deutsche Post to commemorate 25 years of cooperation/partnership between two German cities, Dresden (the capital city of the Free State of Saxony in Germany. It is situated in a valley on the River Elbe, near the Czech border) and Hamburg (officially Free and Hanseatic City of Hamburg, is the second largest city in Germany, the thirteenth largest German state, and the sixth largest city in the European Union).

The postmark depicts a steamer ferry and the stamp on right side of envelope is issued in 2011 for 175th Anniv. of Saxon Steamship Company, which was already discussed here in my blog. Click here to read the earlier post.

Special Cover - Kachchhpex 2005 - Dredgers

2012-12-23T20:17:00.000+05:30

Date of Issue: November 30, 2005

A special cover was issued during Kachchhpex - Kachchh District-level Philatelic Exhibition, the cover sponsored by Jaisu Shipping Company P. Ltd. Kandla Port.

The cover illustration mentions "Role of Shipping in growth of Indian Economy" and depicts two of the dredgers from the fleet of Jaisu Shipping Company.

Dredger: A dredger (or “dredge” as is the general usage in the Americas) is any device, machine, or vessel that is used to excavate and remove material from the bottom of a body of water. For example, a scoop attached to the end of a rope or pole by which a man can draw sediments up from the bottom of a pond is a dredger. Developing this idea further, a motorized crane equipped with a drag bucket or clamshell (grabber) that is used to scoop material from the bottom of a body of water is also a dredger. The crane could be located on the bank, or perhaps mounted on a barge. If the crane is mounted on a barge, the entire vessel is referred to as a dredger.

Kamal XXV: Formerly Kutch Vallabh, built in 1975 at Mazagon Dock Yard, Mumbai and rebuilt in 1998 is a type of Trailing Suction Hopper Dredger - (TSHD) that trails its suction pipe when working, and loads the dredge spoil into one or more hoppers in the vessel. When the hoppers are full, the TSHD sails to a disposal area and either dumps the material through doors in the hull or pumps the material out of the hoppers. Some dredges also self-offload using drag buckets and conveyors.

Kamal XXVI: Built in 1989 is a type of Rock Bucket Ladder Dredger - A bucket dredger is equipped with a bucket dredge, which is a device that picks up sediment by mechanical means, often with many circulating buckets attached to a wheel or chain. Some bucket dredgers and grab dredgers are powerful enough to rip out coral to make a shipping channel through coral reefs.

Source: Wikipedia, www.jaisu.in

Maori War Canoe - Ngatokimatawhaorua - Postcard

2012-11-17T18:36:00.000+05:30

This wonderful picture postcard sent by my swap friend in New Zealand, Ms. Corinne Pegler, depicting Maori War Canoe.

the information found on reverse side of the card -

Ngatokimatawhaorua (The Adzes which shaped it twice). This, the largest war canoe in the world was built for the 1940 centennial commemoration of the Treaty of Waitangi. Three massive kauri trees were felled in Puketi Forest and it is of the same design, materials, and construction methods used for smaller versions which carried raiding parties on long coastal voyages both before and following European settlements.

The 35 meter canoe carries a crew of 90 paddlers and is regularly launched for annual commemorations of the Treaty signings.

Royal Bombay Yacht Club - Postcard

2012-11-15T20:51:00.000+05:30

Received this Sepia-toned print postcard with Diwali wishes and message from my Postcrossing friend in Mumbai, Sita Seshadri. Card posted in Mumbai on Oct 29, 2012 reached me Nov 14, 2012 at Thanjavur, took 16 days..!!! shows the efficiency of delivery by India Post.

Royal Bombay Yacht Club: The Bombay Yacht Club was founded in 1846 and 30 years later, on the recommendation of Sir Philip Edmond Wodehouse, Queen Victoria bestowed the title 'Royal' upon the club.

The seafront clubhouse was built in 1881, and received a number of prominent visitors within its first ten years, including: H.R.H. Prince Arthur, their Royal Highnesses the Duke and Duchess of Connaught and American railroad tycoon and yachting enthusiast Mr William Kissam Vanderbilt – part owner of the 1895 America’s Cup winner, the 37.5m sloop Defender.

In 1894, the Commissioners of the Lord High Admiral bestowed upon the club the Blue Ensign of Her Majesty's Fleet with a Star of India surmounted by the Imperial Crown.

Another clubhouse was built in 1896, a blending of Venetian Gothic with Indian Saracenic, to provide accommodations for members and visiting associates.

Yachting received a major stimulus in 1911, when King George V and Queen Mary landed in Bombay from the Royal P&O liner, S.S. Medina.

In 1958, the Bombay Club was closed for not accepting Indian members. The RBYC granted honorary memberships to all Bombay Club members and provided a new home for their furniture and other effects.

The 1960s saw a new race introduced after H.R.H. Prince Philip visited the club and presented the Challenge Cup for a Combined Class race not less than 21 miles. RBYC at that time owned a fleet of four 21 foot Seabird Class boats, whilst its members’ owned boats including Chindwin (Bermudian cutter), Iona (a Gunter sloop), Silver Oak (a Yachting World keel boat), Tir (a yawl), Merope (Stor-Draken Class) Griffon and Wynvern (two International Dragons). The club was selected to host the 6th National Regatta for the Yachting Association of India.

Member Philip Bragg, who built Suhaili, the first yacht to sail solo non-stop around the world, died in 1984. Yachtsman Sir Robin Knox-Johnson attended a reception in his honour at the club in 2004.

In 2006, the club was visited by the First Sea Lord, Admiral Sir Jonathan Band, KCB, ADC, Chief of the Naval Staff (and President of the Royal Naval Club) and Lady Sarah Band, as well as other senior officers of the visiting Fleet. This was shortly followed by a visit from Sir John Stirrup, the Air Chief Marshal of the Royal Air Force and Chief of Defence Staff. In 2010, General Sir Hugh Michael Rose KCB, CBE, DSO, QGM, visited.

Source: Wikipedia

The card is published by Kamlesh Shah Publishers and Distributors, archival print also found at bombay100yearsago.com

Cape Verde 100 Escudos - Sailship Madalan

2012-11-15T19:39:00.000+05:30

Year of Issue: 1994
KM #: 40a
Type: Commemorative
Metal: Bi-metal (Copper-Nickel in center and Brass ring)
Edge: Reeded
Shape: 10-sided
Weight: 10 g
Diameter: 26.5 mm

Obverse: Sailship Madalan
Reverse: National Emblem

Madalan:
Dimensions: 147.6 x 30.2 x14.9ft (draught)
Tonnage: 357 gross. 242 net.
Power: One Cooper-Bessemer 6-cylinder diesel, 300 bhp.

Madalan was built as a yacht in 1928 by Marco U. Martinolich at Lussinpiccole, Italy for an American owner, Mr. Cornelius Crane of Ipswich Ma. She was launched with the name ILLYRIA. Apart from the captain's and crew's quarters she had four double cabins, a library, and a sitting room. Mr. Crane had made his fortune in bathroom fixtures. He made a South Sea expedition for the Field Museum of Natural History of Chicago.

Later, she was owned by George M. Moffett of New York who gave her the name MALAINA.

At the beginning of the second world war, the US Coast Guard bought her for USD 45 000 and spent another USD 44 500 to convert her, equipping her with 2 20mm AA machine guns, 2 depth charge launchers, range finders and gun platforms. She was renamed MADALAN (WYPc-345) and commissioned on 1 April 1943, assigned to the 3rd District based in Fort Tilden, NY. On 7th June 1945, she was decommissioned and transferred to War Shipping Administration.

In November 1946, John B. Pontes, a Boston Cape Verdean businessman, and his business associate Fortunato Gomes da Pina bought her for USD 35 000. Pontes kept the name Madalan, had her re-rigged as a brigantine and had the partitions below deck taken out for optimum cargo space. In 1948, a cattle pen was built under the forecastle in order to have fresh meat during the voyage.

Madalan left Providence on June 8, 1947 under Captain Sebastian Cruz with twenty passengers. It was a crossing with many a windless day. After 74 days, Madalan arrived in Cape Verde. She had a new engine, but Pontes would not allow it to be used because it was too expensive to operate. The return voyage to Providence was a good deal faster, taking only 39 days from Dakar. After staying in for Christmas and New Year she attempted a winter crossing in January 1948 from New England. Five days out of port, Madalan ran into the start of a week of gales that drove her 130 miles a day without sails. Yet apart from the three kerosene drums and a barrel of beef that were washed overboard, the brigantine came through without damage.

The Madalan was back in Providence on July 27, 1948, with forty-two passengers, after making a 48 day crossing from Dakar despite 17 windless days. The comfortable conditions aboard the Madalan had made her a popular ship, and so every year thereafter the Madalan returned to New England in July and left in autumn after the cranberry harvest, when many Cape Verdean cranberry pickers would book passage home to visit family and friends.

Madalan was eventually sold to Antonio Bento of Maio, who neglected her. In 1955 she broke loose in the harbor of Praia and was driven against the rocks. The Providence Journal reported in 1957 that "Antonio Bento can't or won't spend money for necessary repairs on leaks in her steel hull and on her sprung topsail." Sometime later, unattended, she developed a leak and sank.

Click here to see other coins with watercrafts, in my collection.

Source: numista.com and worldofcoins.eu

Titanic - Personalized stamp from Finland

2012-11-12T13:22:00.001+05:30

Received this interesting cover last week, thanks to my friend, Kristiina from Finland.

The special postmark in the design of porthole window was issued during the event - Helsinki Stamp Fair 2012 conducted on October 28th. It is the largest annual philatelic event in Finland. It attracts thousands of collectors. The Helsinki stamp fair 2010 is arranged by the largest stamp company in Finland; Suomen Filateliapalvelu oy – Philatelic service of Finland.

Finland Post offers its customers to print personalized stamp and one such stamp is on this envelope with image of Titanic to commemorate its century. The other stamp showing a passenger ferry (the design taken from the old posters inviting foreigners to the lake district Saimaa) is this year's Europa theme - Visit... to promote tourism.

Macau 1992 - 5 Patacas

2012-10-22T17:57:00.001+05:30

Type: Circulation coin
Year: 1992
KM #: 56
Composition: Copper-Nickel
Weight: 10.100 g
12-sided planchet

Obverse: MACAU written across territorial emblem with date below

The reverse depicts a three-masted lorcha against the background of the facade of the Ruinas de Sao Paolo. The obverse depicts the territorial emblem. the ornate granite facade featured on the reverse is one of the hallmark architectures of Macau. The facade and 68 stone steps are all that remained of St. Paul's Church, the church of the Jesuit college of Madre de Deus, after a fire in 1835. The church was built by Chinese and Japanese Christian craftsmen between 1620 and 1630 according to a design by an Italian Jesuit, Carlo Spinola. In 1987 the Sino-Portuguese Joint Declaration was signed that set forth arrangements for Macao's handover to China in 1999. In consequence thereof Macau's circulation coins issued after 1987 use the territorial emblem, replacing the Portuguese coat-of-arms that was in use prior thereto.

Lorcha: The lorcha is a type of sailing vessel having a Chinese junk rig on a Portuguese or European style hull. The vessel is faster and able to carry more cargo than the normal Chinese junk because of its hull structure. The vessel was developed around 1550 in Macau, then a Portuguese colony in China. This hybrid type of vessel sailed faster than traditional pirate ships and it began to be used by British traders after the First Opium War.

Source:
1. from Book - Watercraft on World Coins by Yossi Dotan, Volume II America and Asia, 1800 - 2008

2. Wikipedia

Click here to see other coins with watercrafts, in my collection.

25 Years of ICS in Sri Lanka

2012-10-21T21:26:00.000+05:30

Date of Issue: February 09, 2012

The Philatelic Bureau of the Department of Posts issued to commemorate 25 years of Institute of chartered Ship Brokers, Sri Lanka Branch.

Being an island nation, SRI LANKA was heavily depended on her Shipping Industry for promotion of the export/import trade with her overseas trading partners and for the development of her economy. No wonder therefore, the local shipping industry was buzzing with activity day in/ day out.

Up to about the early 1980s, professionals in shipping were rarely found in the island. It was around this time and sensing the Lacuna, the management of the Ceylon Shipping Corporation (CSC) - the National Carrier - formulated a policy decision which made it mandatory for its staff (clerical and middle management level) to qualify the examinations conducted by the “Institute of Chartered Shipbrokers (ICS) - UK” to be eligible for promotion in the hierarchy of the organization. In order to facilitate this process and also assist the aspirants who desired to qualify; the management of CSC provided a well-equipped library including study material required for these examinations. Having followed a traditionally set process of shipping practices that existed in the local industry which had evolved over the decades; this move by the CSC was to revolutionize the approach to many issues that emanated in the industry, come future. And it did as it subsequently turned out to be.

Many thanks to my swap friend, Prasanna Jayathillake (Jay Dew in Facebook) for the stamp and First Day Cover.

Text Source: srilankastamps.lk

Watercrafts on Banknotes #14 - Oman 1 Riyal

2012-10-20T22:31:00.000+05:30

Issued By: Central Bank of Oman
Catalog #: KM 43
Year: 2005

This banknote is a commemorative issue on event of 35th National Day of Sultanate of Oman, in 2005. On the reverse, left side there is a three-masted ship, more information unavailable. anyone knows?

Click here to see more banknotes with watercrafts, in my collection.

Commissioning of INS Sagardhwani (A 74)

2012-09-04T11:02:00.000+05:30

This cover is latest addition to my collection. Special cover issued in July 30, 1994, on the event of Commissionong of INS Sagardhwani - Marine Acoustic Research Ship (MARS) of Indian Navy, built by Garden Reach Shipbuilders & Engineers, Kolkata.

The hull and machinery are very similar to the Sandhayak Class survey vessels, but there are marked superstructure differences with the bridge positioned amidships and a helicopter platform forward. The vessel has been configured as a research vessel for the Naval Physical and Oceanographic Laboratory, Kochi. The vessel is also based there. There are two large cranes and a gantry for deploying and recovering research equipment.

There are a total of eight labs to permit conducting acoustic, geological, meteorological, chemical and physical oceanography. Most of the laboratories are acoustically isolated from the ship's structure. Among the first vessels in the Indian Navy with accommodations for female personnel. Carries 116 tons fresh water. The vessel is painted white except for the lift equipment and two rescue boats which are painted in orange. The vessel was employed in advanced torpedo trials and missile range support.

Source: Bharat-Rakshak.com

NRP Sagres III

2012-09-04T10:14:00.000+05:30

Received this postcard from a postcrossing user in Netherland, depicting the tall ship NRP Sagress III school ship of the Portuguese Navy since 1961. It is the third ship with this name in the Portuguese Navy, so she is also known as Sagres III. It is also depicted in a postage stamp issued by France in 1999. Click here to see the stamp.

Following a number of international training voyages, the ship was used as a stationary office ship after the outbreak of World War II and was only put into ocean-going service again in 1944 in the Baltic Sea. On 14 November 1944 she hit a Soviet mine off Sassnitz and had to be towed to port in Swinemünde. Eventually transferred to Flensburg, she was taken over there by the Allies when the war ended and finally confiscated by the United States.

In 1948, the U.S. sold her to Brazil for a symbolic price of $5,000 USD.[1] She was towed to Rio de Janeiro, and for Brazil she sailed as a school ship for the Brazilian Navy under the name Guanabara. In 1961, the Portuguese Navy bought her to replace the old school ship Sagres II (which was transferred to Hamburg, where she is a museum ship under her original name Rickmer Rickmers). The Portuguese Navy renamed her Sagres (the third ship of that name), and she is still in service.

Source: Wikipedia

Postmark: Queen Mary 2 Flag Parade, Hamburg

2012-09-04T09:30:00.000+05:30

A special postmark was issued on the occasion of Queen Mary 2 Flag Parade at Hamburg, on August 12, 2012. Thanks for my friend, Mr. Wolfgang Beyer for arranging this postmark.

Queen Mary 2 at Port of Hamburg -

- The envelope

Source: image from hafencity.com

Kieler Woche (Kiel Week) - June 16 - 24, 2012

2012-07-15T14:14:00.001+05:30

Date of Issue: June 23, 2012

Kieler Woche (Kiel Week), the greatest annual sailing event in the world and the largest summer festival in northern Europe. A nine-day programme packed with over 2,000 events to entertain three million guests from all over the globe.

Kiel Week is held annually in the last complete week in June. This year 2012, it was 130th Kiel Week.

One will see an endless forest of masts on the banks of the firth, with over one hundred windjammers and traditional sailing boats moored on the quayside. The fascination of tall ships will be at the forefront in the windjammer parade with more than 100 ships taking part on the second Saturday of Kieler Woche. Destroyers, frigates, corvettes, minesweepers and high-speed launches from a whole host of countries will come together in Tirpitz Harbour for the meeting of the navy fleets and "Open ship", while navy cutter regattas will be held in Kiel's inner-firth.

SY Star Flyer: Launched in 1991, a four-masted, yacht-size sailing ship, with a feeling of being on ones own private sailing yacht. The ship offers the ultimate in authentic sailing ship cruising. Click here to see the facts/technical specifications and facilities available in this luxury watercraft.

Click here to see postmark of Kieler Woche 2011

Thanks to my friend, Mr. Wolfgang Beyer for this envelope with special postmark.

Source: kieler-woche.de, wikipedia, thecruiselines.com

Hanseatic Days in Luneburg - special postmark

2012-07-15T13:38:00.002+05:30

Date of Issue: June 30, 2012

32nd International Hanseatic Days was celebrated at Luneburg, Germany during June 28 - July 1, 2012. A special postmark was brought out by Luneburg Stamp Collectors Club, showing a cog (is a type of ship that first appeared in the 10th century, and was widely used from around the 12th century on. Cogs were generally built of oak, which was an abundant timber in the Baltic region of Prussia. This vessel was fitted with a single mast and a square-rigged single sail. These vessels were mostly associated with seagoing trade in medieval Europe, especially the Hanseatic League, particularly in the Baltic Sea region) and wooden barrels.

The Hanseatic City of Luneburg is a town in the German state of Lower Saxony. It is located about 45 km (28 mi) southeast of fellow Hanseatic city Hamburg. It lies on the river Ilmenau, about 30 kilometres (19 mi) from its confluence with the Elbe. The river flows through the town; it was formerly traversed by cogs taking salt from the town to the other, larger ports of the Hanseatic League nearby.

Thanks to friend, Mr. Wolfgang Beyer for the envelope.

Text Source: Wikipedia