SANTA CATARINA DO MONTE SINAI 1515

[aukepalmhof]

She was built around 1515 at Kochi, India as a carrack for Portuguese account, launched as the SANTA CATARINA DO MONTE SINAI, wrongly given on the stamp as St CATALINA DO MONTE SINAI.

When built she was one of the largest and heaviest armed ship in the world.
She had a very high bow and stern castles, with at least 6 decks with more as 140 light guns, mostly rail pieces.
Tonnage around 800 tons, dim. about 40 x 13 x 4.5m (draught).

Used in the trade between India and the Far East to Portugal.

1523 She was the flagship of Vaco da Gama when he travelled to India.

25 February 1603 she was captured at Singapore by the Dutch Admiral Jacob van Heemskerck of the VOC which was underway with three Dutch vessels, they sighted the SANTA CATARINA DO MONTE SINAI at anchor on the eastern coast of Singapore (Dutch sources give captured off Jehore.)
The crew of the SANTA CATARINA DO MONTE SINAI after 20 hours of battle struck their flag and surrendered to the Dutch. She carried a very valuable cargo under which many kilos of musk from China and Japan.
She was underway from Macao to Malacca.
The loss of this ship was the end of the Portuguese monopoly of the Indians

It is given that it doubled the capital of the VOC after the ship and cargo was sold.
04 September 1604 confiscated in Amsterdam.
Fate not known.

Bulgaria 1977 12s sg2600, scott?.
Mozambique 2009 175.00MT sg?, scott?

Source: http://www.causamerita.com/descob_emb_embl_i.htm

[Arturo]

Santa Catarina do Monte Sinai (1515)

Macao 1998, S.G.?, Scott: 963.

[Anatol]

Carrak Santa Catarina do Monte Sinai 1515.
Benin 2015;1200f;SG?