Borobudur Ship Expedition

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Date of Issue: September 17, 2005
Scott #: 2081e

The idea of this expedition was by Mr. Philip Beale of British Navy who visited the Borobudur Temple, a 9th century Mahayana Buddhist monument in Central Java, Indonesia, on November 08, 1982. He was charmed by the beauty of the relief of the ship engraved on the walls of the temple. After returning back to his country, he was curious about this ship relief and searched for clues regarding this ancient ship and found that the early Indonesians have carried out cinnamon trading to as far as Madagascar, and Ghana.

He wanted to trace the route and experience how the early Indonesians of 8th century would have traveled with a ship like that. So, with sponsors to his idea, he built a replica of that ship and was named "Samudraraksa" meaning "Sea Guard."

The Expedition of The Cinnamon Route was officially inaugurated by the former President of the Republic of Indonesia, Mrs. Megawati Sukarnoputri on August 15, 2003 in Marina Beach, Ancol, Jakarta. This Expedition traced the Cinnamon Route from Jakarta through Madagascar, Cape Town continued to West Coast, Africa and ended in Ghana on December 2003.

After carrying out the expedition of The Cinnamon Route of Africa 2003 successfully, the ship was sent back to Indonesia in several pieces in order to transport it easily, and rebuilt once reaching Indonesia and kept in the Samudraraksa ship museum, located in the complex of Borobudur Temple.

Source: Wikipedia, yogyes.com

Wadia (1808 - 1877), Shipbuilder - India

Date of Issue: May 27, 1969
Scott #: 493
Printing Process: Photogravure
Printed at: India Security Press
Number of stamps per sheet: 50

Ardaseer Cursetjee Wadia (October 06, 1808 - November 16, 1877), son of Cursetjee Rustomjee, scion of the Wadia family of shipbuilders and naval architects, and master builder at the Bombay Dockyard (today, Mumbai's Naval Dockyard).

He was the first to build an ocean-going steam vessel in India. Ardaseer was one of the dignitaries from India who attended the wedding of queen Victoria.

He is also recorded as having introduced several (at the time) novel technologies to the city of Bombay (now Mumbai), including gas lighting, the sewing machine, steam pump-driven irrigation and electro-plating.

Ships on Banknotes - 003 - Cambodia

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100 Riels banknote of Cambodia issued on 1957 and was on circulation up to 1975.

This is reverse side of the note with a traditional rowing boat.

Ships on Banknotes - 002 - India

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Ten Rupees banknote issued on 1968.

This is reverse side of the note with a sailing dhow. The size of the note is reduced compared to the earlier ones.

Ships on Banknotes - 001 - India

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Ten Rupees Bank note of India issued on 1962.

This is the reverse side of the note showing a sailing dhow.

Coast Guard Ship T991, Thailand

Date of Issue: 2008????

This is the new coast guard ship of the Royal Thailand Navy T991 launched on April 30, 2007, built in the Royal Thai Navy Dock.

Cover from Thailand

Thanks to Mr. Terdsak Tublom for sending me this cover with coast guard ship stamps of Thailand issued in 2008.

Al Rayyan - LNG Tanker

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Date of Issue: February 24, 1997
Scott #: 896

This stamp was issued on the occasion of opening of Port of Ras Laffan in Qatar.

The LNG (Liquefied Natural Gas) tanker depicted in this stamp is AL Rayyan of K Line, probably named after a gas field in Qatar.

Normally, these type of LNG carriers are as much as the size of three football fields.

The Ras Laffan Port is one of the world's largest LNG export facility. The Port commenced operations in September 1996. On Sunday, March 22, 2009, the Port witnessed the first instant whereby all the four LNG berths were occupied simultaneously. This scene is only possible in Ras Laffan due to having the highest number of LNG berths globally.

Source: shipstamps.co.uk and raslaffan.co.qa

Mail Ship S.S.Hindosthan

Date of Issue: December 15, 1997
Scott #: 1657C

She was launched on April 26, 1842 under the name Hindosthan, named after the Mohammedan name for the Mogul empire of Northern India, which was later generally adopted for the whole sub-continent. This is the first wooden paddle steamship specifically designed for the Indian mail service, from Calcutta to Suez and had a speed of 11 knots.

During her maiden voyage on September 24, 1842 from Southampton, she was given a tremendous send-off, for every ship in the port and roadstead was dressed with flags, and the warships manned their yards as she passed.

She sailed via Gibraltar, St. Vincent and Ascension to Cape Town, before arriving in Cape Town, she ran out of coal and made a call at St. Helena Bay and a message was sent overland to arrange coal. A local schooner was sent out with coal to her assistance.

On November 15, she arrived at Cape Town. After sailing from Cape Town she made calls at Mauritius and Point de Galle, Ceylon before arriving in Calcutta. Then used in the regular mail service between Calcutta, Madras, Ceylon, Aden and Suez. It also carried passengers from Calcutta to Suez and the fare being £40.

She was not always used in this service she visited at least two times the UK in her lifetime.

On June 16, 1849 she was visited by Queen Victoria and Prince Albert of Osborne in the Solent, Isle of Wight.

Source: Shipstamps.co.uk