Built by Napier on the Clyde, and in service from 1880 to 1914. (An earlier Royal Mail Thames is shown on a 50c stamp of Jamaica — a paddle steamer built in 1842). The later vessel was a steel screw, 3-masted, schooner-rigged passenger steamer of 5,645 gross tons, 3,369 net, with dimensions 436 ft. 3 in. x 50ft. 2 in. x 25 ft. 4 in. Originally her two funnels were black, but buff funnels were adopted by the company in 1901, together with salmon-coloured boot-topping, black topsides, white above the sheer strake, white superstructure, with buff masts, ventilators and derricks. The Thames was chartered by the Corporation of Lloyd’s to attend the Royal Naval Review at Spithead on June 24, 1911, in honour of the Coronation of King George V. However a seamen’s strike at Southampton played havoc with the arrangements, and three other Royal Mail ships, having full bookings for the occasion, had to cancel them at the last moment. Sightseers in the Thames were more fortunate. She was manned by a crew of volunteers, proceeded to her anchorage and was present throughout the Review. Sold in August 1914 to the Forth Ship-breaking Company, she was re-sold for sinking as a blockship in Holm Sound, Scapa Flow. SG468
Cruiser Dutch Navy built 1936 Wilton-Fijegord Co., Rotterdam. Keel laid Nov 1933. Comm Oct 1936. 6450tn L557’9” B19’3”. 2 Parsons turbines. 566000shp 2 screws 32kn. Arm seven 5.9in ten 40mm AAguns eight 12.7mm AA guns. 2 aircreaft. Compl 435. Flagship of Rear Adm KWF Doorman, Com of Fleet, South Pacific. Lost on night of 27-28 Feb 1943, Battle of Java Seas when torpedoed by Japanese Heavy Cruisers HAGURO and NACHI. 11 other Allied warships lost in same battle. Netherlands SG598 (LB 2/72 10/190)
Trawler built 1941 Hildebrandt & Zonen, Ostende for Henri Deckmyn. 10.91Gt 3.16nt Otto-Deutz engine 2 stroke 2-cyl 20bhp. Wooden construction. Sold June 1953 to Raymond deckmyn. Sold Aug 1953 to Widow Jeanne Seghers, Ostende renamed DON BOSCO. Re engined with GMC diesel 40bhp. Fish for shrimp most of year and spratts in winter. Belgium SG1442 (LB2/72)
De Jong Thomas
Frigate built 1773 Texel for Dutch East India Co. There appear to be no records of this vessel. The type has been deduced from size of crew based on report of survivors and casualties. She was driven on the rocks of Paarden Is near Capetown 1 June 1773, 67 out of crew of 137 survived. South Africa SG332-4. (LB 2/115. 3/6)
Dutch Hospital Ship built 1912 Conrad Wharf, Haarlem for Netherlands Seamens Soc. 140Gt 77nt. L105’7” B21’3”. Small emergency paraffin engine. Converted 1939 to motor ship with 200hp diesel. Addition of a funnel altered her appearance. During 42 year life 12,023 fishermen were provided with medical attention and welfare facilities including Chapel services. WW2 Germans used her as Red Cross ship on River Scheldt. Recaptured, returned to owners by Royal Netherlands Navy. Sold 22 Sept 1955 to Mr Rasmus Rasmussen, Norway. Rebuilt as fishing vessel renamed KVERNNES. Damaged by fire sold to shipbreakers Aug 1959. Shown on stamp as two masted schooner. Netherlands SG414 (LB 2/70)
Anti-aircraft Cruiser French Navy built 1956 Lorient & Brest Dockyards. Keel laid Nov 1938 launched 11 Sept 1946. Comm 3 Sept 1956. L617’8” B69’6”. 2 steam turbines 105000shp 2 screws 33kn (18kn cruising) Arm twelve 5in guns. Compl 560. Although laid down 1938 was not commissioned until 1956 due to WW2 and financial\strategies. Twice re-designed. Further set back due to vessel being flooded in dock after completion as the result of valves being left open when dock was flooded. It took another 17 years to complete the ship. Flagship of Pacific Experimental Nuclear Centre 1966. Cameroons SG383 (LB 2/70. SB 1/68)
C1722 owned by Jacob Roggeween. 14 guns Crew 33. One of 3 ships of an expedition of trade and exploration to South Seas 1721-22. The first Europeans to sight Samoa. Ran agrouns on reef 19 May 1772. Total loss but all crew saved. Samoa SG386-7.
East Indiaman built 1801 for British East India Co., 1257tn. L134’ B42’. Largest East Indiaman built at Bombay. Copper sheathed. Teak decks. Rebuilt several times. Panama 198 NC (LB 2/69)
Frigate built 1772. With LE ROLAND and L’OISEAU on Kerguelens second voyage to Antarctic 1773. 12 guns. Captured by British privateers 1780. FSAT SG23 (LB 2/69 SB 7/61)
1951-1952. An open shelter deck motorship with machinery aft, built by the Van der Werf shipyard, Deest, Holland, for NV. Van Nievelt, Goudriaan and Company’s Stoomv. Maats., Rotterdam. She was one of six vessels of this company chartered by the Falkland Islands Company between 1951 and 1953 to carry cargo and mail between the United Kingdom and the colony. Her gross tonnage was 491, net 231 and deadweight 817 tons. Built in 1949, her dimensions were: length 211 ft. 7 in., breadth 31 ft. 8 in., draft 11ft 61/2 in.SG333A
