Card #13 from U.S.A. - Pride of America

This mega-size postcard measuring 5.5 x 9 inches was posted in Honolulu, Hawaii by postcrosser Glennys. It took only 11 days for the card to reach India.

Pride of America is a luxury cruise ship operated by NCL - Norwegian Cruise Line, which offers 7-day tour around Hawaii. It has 14 restaurants and 9 bars and lounges, excellent family accommodations, spacious suites and lots of balconies – perfect for whale watching, witnessing Kilauea Volcano or taking in the dramatic views of the Napali Coast.

Source: ncl.com

Korea-Portugal Diplomatic Relations - 50th Anniv

Date of Issue: April 15, 2011

Designers: Turtle ship - Eunkyung PARK (Korea), Nau - Telmo Gomes (Portugal), Background - Atel. Acacio Santos/Helder Soares (Portugal)

First Day of Issue postmark depicts old ships of both countries (Turtle Ship and Nau)

To commemorate the 50th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between Korea and Portugal, Korea Post and its Portuguese counterpart, CTT are issuing, through collaborative works, a joint stamp featuring the old ships of the two countries - Korea's "Turtle Ship" and Portugal's "Nau." The backdrop of the the sheet features the painting of Navy Maneuvering (housed in Jinju National Museum) from the latter part of the Joseon Dynasty.

Turtle Ship - As a pioneering warship of the Joseon Dynasty, the Turtle Ship was conceived in 1592 by Admiral Yi Sun-Shin who anticipated a Japanese invasion. The shape portrayed by Admiral Yi Sun-Shin himself as follows: "Planks are laid on the upper deck of the ship, and on those planks, narrow cross-shaped ramps are placed to enable people to travers, with blades lodged on the remainder of the ship's surface. The front section of the ship is shaped like the head of a dragon, while the rear section takes the shape of the tail of a turtle. There are gun ports fore and aft and also six gun ports port and starboard respectively. Yi Sun-Shin, Korea's venerated admiral, utilized the Turtle Ship as an assault ship and gained victory in 23 naval battles over 7 yeard under the spirit of "If you want to live through combat, you will certainly die. But if you are willing to die at combat, you will certainly live."

Nau - As the armed commercial vessel of Portugal in the 16th century, Nau was able to haul a heavy load, unlike previous vessels, and thus produce higher profits. It could be loaded with ample provisions, crew and passengers. It could also be mounted with more cannons designed to defend against pirate attacks. In general, Nau was equipped with 3 decks, 3 masts (2 square-shaped and 1 triangle-shaped) and a forecastle and an after castle. Its loading capacity ranged from 120 to 1200 tons. At the time, Nau played a leading role on the maritime route between Lisbon, Portugal and Goa, India.

Many thanks to my friend Park Choonjong, Korea through MyPhilately.com for sending me this stamp sheet and the stamps on cover posted on same day of issue.

Text source: Brochure issued by Korea Post

$1 Coin - Royal Canadian Navy Centennial - 2010

Year of Issue: 2010
Composition: nickel electroplated with bronze
Finish
Weight (g): 7.0
Diameter (mm): 26.5
Artists: Bonnie Ross (reverse), Suzanna Blunt (obverse)

A new one-dollar circulation coin immortalizing the centennial of the Canadian Navy, proudly produced by the Royal Canadian Mint, was unveiled by Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II, Queen of Canada and Commander-in-Chief of the Canadian Forces.

The coin depicts a serviceman with the 1910 uniform and a female officer with a modern day uniform, to represent the men and women in the Naval service. The ship represented is HMCS Halifax, the lead ship in the Navy’s current fleet. The fouled anchor is part of the centennial identifier image in use to recognize the 100th anniversary of the Navy.

In addition to releasing this commemorative circulation coin, the Canadian Mint  also offers a selection of sterling silver coins featuring the famous corvette HMCS Sackville launched in January 2010. This includes:

    * a 2010 Proof Silver Dollar at $52.95 CDN (mintage of 50,000);
    * a Brilliant Uncirculated Silver Dollar at $46.95 CDN (mintage of 30,000); and
    * a selectively gold-plated Proof Silver Dollar exclusive to the 2010 Proof Set at $109.95 CDN (limited to 55,000 sets)

Click here to see the miniature sheet issued by Canada Post to commemorate the Royal Canadian Navy Centenary.

Click here to see other coins with ships in my collection.

Source: CoinNews.net, mint.ca

Card #12 from Finland, the art of building ships in bottle

Postcard received from Postcrossing user, Elina from Finland.

Ships in bottle is an art. The history of ships in bottles is the history of the two major components. Sailors on ships of all sizes and types have used scrap wood, cloth, and rope to make model or toy boats to pass long hours at sea. This model-making dates back perhaps 4,000 years. The Egyptians buried miniature ships with their mummified masters, and the Phoenicians, Etruscan, and Greeks produced models that are shown in wall murals.

Model ships were not bottled until about 1850 when the great clipper ships plied the seas from port cities in England and America. These ships had as many as seven masts and many sails for the speeds needed to cross oceans and deliver products and profits. They were also equipped with guns and the large crews of sailors for manning the rigging and weapons. The date of the first construction of a ship in a bottle is unknown; but the patience needed to fold the masts in the bottle was a challenge, and the bottle protected the model. Most of the classic sailing ships have been preserved in bottles and in maritime museums.

The hobby of building ships in bottles is not for everyone. Love of research, ships and sea lore, history, woodworking and other skills, and minute details, as well as considerable patience, are required. The finished models are surprisingly durable and are treasured possessions to leave to children and grandchildren. Competitions are held around the world and opportunities to display models, including museum exhibits, are plentiful, so many people can enjoy these creations and purchase and collect them.

This nautical craft thrives because parts can be produced in numbers and sold in kits for hobbyists of all skill levels. The temporary nature of so many modern collectibles and mass production on a far greater scale than the ship-in-a-bottle kits have also encouraged crafters to pursue this relatively unusual interest. Those who appreciate ships in bottles are not likely to grow to huge numbers, but they are intensely loyal to the blend of skill and mystery in these models.

Click here to know more and about the manufacturing process.

Source: answers.com

Card #12 from U.S.A. - Fells Point, Baltimore

Postcard sent by postcrossing user, Sally from U.S.A.

Fells Point, Baltimore - founded in 1730 by William Fell, who was attracted by its beautiful, deep water and proximity to agriculture and thick forests, Fell's Point became a shipbuilding and commercial center.

Some of the first vessels commissioned for the US Navy were built in Fell's Point shipyards, including the USS Constellation in 1797. However, the area became best known for producing topsail schooners, sometimes erroneously called Baltimore clippers, renowned for their great speed and handling. They were excellent blockade runners, and were frequently used as armed privateers. The Pride of Baltimore II is based on the Chasseur, built by Thomas Kemp, which was one of the most successful privateers built in Fell's Point. Fell's Point remained a shipbuilding center until the Civil War, when it could no longer accommodate larger ship designs. Likewise, the shipping industry slowly moved away to larger facilities.

Source: Wikipedia

Card #4 from Russia - STS Mir

Postcrosser Kseniya from Russia sent this postcard of STS Mir (Russian: Мир, meaning World or Peace) - a three-masted, full rigged training ship, based in St. Petersburg, Russia. She was built in 1987 at the Lenin Shipyard in Gdańsk, Poland. It is one of the fastest modern sailing ships.

Mir has taken part in many races, including the annual The Tall Ships' Races organized by Sail Training International, winning various prizes. In the Grand Regatta Columbus- 1992, celebrating the discovery of America by Christopher Columbus in 1492, the Mir came out as the absolute winner.

Source: Wikipedia

Battle of Tarawa

Date of Issue: November 17, 1983
Scott #: 431-435

This set of five stamps were issued in 1983 to commemorate 40 years of Battle of Tarawa.

The Battle of Tarawa was a battle in the Pacific Theater of World War II, largely fought from November 20 to November 23, 1943. It was the first American offensive in the critical central Pacific region.

12c - War memorial

30c - Battle map, location of Tarawa atoll in Pacific

35c - Defense gun

50c - scenes 1943, 1983

$1   - amphibious assault ship USS Tarawa

In order to set up forward air bases capable of supporting operations across the mid-Pacific, to the Philippines, and into Japan, the U.S. needed to take the Marianas Islands. The Marianas were heavily defended, and in order for attacks against them to succeed, land-based bombers would have to be used to weaken the defenses. The nearest islands capable of supporting such an effort were the Marshall Islands, northeast of Guadalcanal. Taking the Marshalls would provide the base needed to launch an offensive on the Marianas but the Marshalls were cut off from direct communications with Hawaii by a garrison on the small island of Betio, on the western side of Tarawa Atoll in the Gilbert Islands. Thus, to eventually launch an invasion of the Marianas, the battles had to start far to the east, at Tarawa.

Click here to know more about Battle of Tarawa in Wikipedia.

USS Tarawa (LHA-1) - is a United States Navy amphibious assault ship, the lead ship of her class, and the second ship to be named for Tarawa Atoll, site of a Marine landing during World War II.

Source: wikipedia