Robert Fulton and Steam Ship Clermont

Date of Issue: August 19, 1965
Scott #: 1270

Robert Fulton (November 14, 1765 – February 24, 1815) was an American engineer, inventor, and artist. He is best known for designing and building the Clermont, the first commercially successful steamboat. The Clermont ushered in a new era in the history of transportation. In addition to his work with steamboats, Fulton made many important contributions to the development of naval warfare, the submarine, the technology of mine warfare, the design and construction of the first steam-powered warship, and to canal transportation.

In 1800 he was commissioned by Napoleon Bonaparte to design the Nautilus, which was the first practical submarine in history.

USPS issued this postage stamp to commemorate 200th anniversary of his birth anniversary.

Many thanks to my dear friend, Natalie for sending this picture postcard of Clermont with stamp of Robert Fulton.

Click here to know more about Robert Fulton and about Clermont.

Source: kiac-usa.com, Scott Stamp Catalog, Wikipedia

INS Trishul (F43) - Maxi Card

Date of Issue: December 04, 2008

This is a privately issued Maxi Card showing INS Trishul. The ship was depicted in the stamp issued by India Post on Navy Day, which is celebrated every year on December 4th since 1971.

INS Trishul (F43) is the second ship of the Talwar-class frigate of the Indian Navy, laid down on - 26 May 2000, launched on - 25 May 2001, commissioned on - 19 April 2004.

The Talwar class guided missile frigates are modified Krivak III class frigates built by Russia. These ships use stealth technologies and a special hull design to ensure a reduced radar cross section.

The word Trishul finds its origin from the Sanskrit word 'Tri' meaning three and 'Shul' meaning a spiked weapon. Consequently, this three-edged spiked weapon resembles a trident. Indian mythology has it that the Trishul was a powerful and all pervasive weapon of the Lord Shiva, that was effectively used by him to ward off evil. The Trishul as a weapon has been used ever since then to symbolize the victory of truth and righteousness over evil. According to mythology, surviving the onslaught of the Trishul is impossible. The crest of the ship depicts a strong arm rising out from under the sea, holding the powerful Trident. The mythological truth of this feared weapon, when extended to the INS Trishul makes the ship powerful in all three dimensions - air, surface and sub-surface. A warship that will be feared for her lethality and brutal power.

Click here to know more about Talwar class frigates.

Source: Wikipedia, Bharat-Rakshak.com

Ships on Banknotes #10 - Laos 100 Kip

100 Kip banknote of Laos issued sometime before 1976, showing fishermen on longboats in a lake. The Pathet Lao Kip was used in the areas which were under the control of the Pathet Lao. Banknote denominations of 1, 10, 20, 50, 100, 200 and 500 kip were issued. The notes were printed in China.

Source: wikipedia

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

Card #1 from Netherland

This is my first postcard on my theme from Netherland.  Postcrossing user nonili (Nora) sent this card from the Netherlands. It looks like the boat is skiing on a frozen lake.

Card #1 from Philippines

This is my first postcard from Philippines, a country with 7,107 islands. Thanks to friend, Daniel (Nelo) for sending this beautiful card showing an outrigger canoe at a beautiful landscape of Palawan, El Nido. He also fixed two stamps matching my theme - watercraft.

The stamp at the top was issued in 1971, showing tourists sailing at the rapids at Pagsanjan falls. The stamp seen at the bottom was issued in 1998 to commemorate participation of Philippines at the Expo '98 held at Lisbon, Portugal.

The card reached me in 25 days, after being missent to Thailand.

Battle of Dunkirk

Date of Issue: May 13, 2010

Received this PHQ card addressed to me with the same stamp fixed on other side, from Ms. Eileen, UK through postcrossing.com.

Royal Mail brought a special issue of 8 stamps and a miniature sheet with 4 stamps on "Britain Alone". It is Royal Mail’s tribute, 70 years on, to those who stood proud and defiant against the Axis powers in the dark days of 1940.

The Battle of Dunkirk was a battle in the Second World War between the Allies and Germany. A part of the Battle of France on the Western Front, the Battle of Dunkirk was the defence and evacuation of British and allied forces in Europe from 24 May-4 June 1940.

The above stamp shows two boats packed with evacuees from Dunkirk, France heading back to UK.

                                  British propaganda later exploited the successful evacuation of Dunkirk in 1940, and particularly the role of the "Dunkirk little ships", very effectively. Many of the "little ships" were private vessels such as fishing boats and pleasure cruisers, but commercial vessels such as ferries also contributed to the force, including a number from as far away as the Isle of Man and Glasgow. These smaller vessels, guided by naval craft across the Channel from the Thames Estuary and from Dover, assisted in the official evacuation. Being able to reach much closer in the beachfront shallows than larger craft, the "little ships" acted as shuttles to and from the larger craft, lifting troops who were queuing in the water, many waiting shoulder-deep in water for hours. The term "Dunkirk Spirit" still refers to a popular belief in the solidarity of the British people in times of adversity.

Source: Wikipedia, Royalmail.com

ROKS Dokdo (LPH 6111)

Date of Issue: April 15, 2009
Designer: Jaeyong SHIN

Korea Post issued the above stamp to commemorate 60th Anniversary of the Republic of Korea Marine Corps. The stamp is issued as an octagon-shaped which reflects the symbol of the Marine Corps, the octagonal hat.

The vessel depicted in this stamp is the ROKS Dokdo, the lead ship of the "LPX" class of amphibious landing ships of the Republic of Korea Navy, launched on 12 July 2005 at the shipyard of Hanjin Heavy Industries & Constructions Co. in Busan. Named after the Dokdo islets, Dokdo was commissioned into the ROK Navy on 3 July 2007.

Designed by Hanjin Heavy Industries, the requirements for the amphibious landing ships were to enhance Korea's current amphibious operation capability, both in terms of assault and military operations other than war (MOOTW) type operations.

Presently the Dokdo is the largest vessel in the South Korean Navy. Previously, this spot was held by the 9,000-ton at-sea Underway Replenishment (UNREP) support vessel Cheonji.

The LPX can carry 720 marines (+300 crew members), 10 tanks, 10 trucks, 7 AAVs, three field artillery pieces, 10 helicopters, and two LCAC hovercrafts capable of landing on enemy shores doing 40 knots (74 km/h)—a mix that enables it to launch troop landings from both sea and air.  The flight surface is also sprayed with urethane, which can support VTOL jets, like Harriers.

Source: Wikipedia and Korea Post information brochure.

Thanks to friend Park Choonjong, Korea for sending me the stamp and the information brochure.