The vessel depict on this stamp, entering the Volga – Don Canal lock No 1 in 1952, is the river- passenger ship JOSEPH STALIN.
Built at the Red Sormovo plant at Gorki in 1937 for the ERM, Soviet Union. She was the lead vessel of her class, and her hull was welded
Launched as JOSEPH STALIN, four sisters
Tonnage and dimensions?
Powered by two 6-BK-43 four-stroke 6-cyl diesel engines of 350 hp. each, speed 20 km/h
The two propellers were housed particular in tunnels to protect the propeller blades.
Bunker capacity 35 ton.
Flat bottomed, did have eight bulkheads, a round stern.
She was fitted out with a steering wheel fore and aft to pass easily through the many locks in the 128 km long canal.
For heating she was fitted out with a steam boiler.
Fitted out with berths for 18 passengers and eight four person cabins used by passengers without a berth.
One cargo hold of 108 m³.
Behind the engine room there were cabins for crew, a dinning room, hairdressing saloon and an other small cargo hold of 11 m³.
Also had a cinema and concert hall and a restaurant with seats for 100 persons.
1937 The Moscow Canal was opened and for this canal this five vessels were special built to pass through this canal from Moscow to the great rivers of Russia.
In 1938 she was featured in the Russian film Volga-Volga. Some scenes of the film are showed on a envelop of Russia issued in 2003, which shows also the director of the movie Mr. G. Alexandrov.
She got the honour to open op 27 July 1952 the Volga Don canal, as seen on the stamps.
During World War II attacked by enemy bombers.
After the war in 1947 again in-service in the Moscow River.
After Stalin died, was she in 1958 renamed in MIKHAIL FRUNZE.
1971 Out of service?
A model of the ship today you can find in a hall of the Red Sormovo plant at Gorky, were you can see also the movie Volga-Volga.
Russia 1947 50k sg1273, scott. (she is one of the JOSHEP STALIN class)
Russia 1952 8k sg?, scott? (cargo vessel leaving the Volga-Don Canal)
Russia 1952 40k sg 1783, scott?
Russia1r sg1806, scott? (also a photo after which this stamp was designed)
Russia 1956 envelope for the Volga-Volga film.
Rumania 1955 1.55 lei sg?, scott? (looks a Joshep Stalin class vessel?)
Source: info and images supplied by Mr. Gennadiy Sitnikov.
Built under yard no 222 as a ro-ro cargo vessel by Kristiansands Mekaniske Verksted, Kristiansand, Norway for Whitwill Cole & Co. Ltd. London and managed by the TOR LINE.
1975 Launched under the name TOR CALEDONIA.
Tonnage 5.055 gross, 2.935 net, 7.597 dwt., dim. 137.6 x 20.6 x 7.2m., draught 5.7m.
Powered by two 12 cyl. Vee Lindholmen/Pielstick diesel engine, 12.000 bhp. speed 18.5 knots, two controllable pitch propellers.
Before delivery bought by VEB Deutfracht Seereederei, Rostock, East Germany and renamed in FICHTELBERG.
Can carry 247 TEU’s. She is fitted out with two lifts with a lifting capacity of 48 and 50 tons, to load the cargo evenly on the decks. On the maindeck she has reefer plugs for the transport of reefer containers.
Passenger accommodation for 12 passengers.
11 July 1975 delivered to owners and used in the service between Rostock and Havana.
1983 Chartered by the Tor Line for some time.
18 June 1990 transferred to the Deutsche Seereederei GmbH, Rostock, Germany.
06 Sept. 1991 till August 1992 chartered by Dublin Ferry Ltd., Dublin and renamed SPIRIT OF DUBLIN.
17 August 1992 renamed by owners after the charter in FICHTELBERG.
10 Nov. 1992 chartered by the North Sea Ferries at Rozenburg, Netherlands, renamed NORCLIFF and used in the service between Zeebrugge to Hull.
30 Oct. 1993, redelivered to owners and renamed FICHTELBERG.
01 Jan. 1994 registered for Euroseabridge Schiffahrsgesellschaft mbH, Rostock, KR Reederei F. Laeisz, Germany.
1994 Chartered by the Elbe-Humber RO/RO Line (DFDS Seaways) and used in the Immingham_Esbjerg-Cuxhaven service.
27 Dec. 1994 chartered by DFDS and renamed in DANA MINERVA.
05 August 1995 used in the service between Fredericia and Klaipeda.
1995 Used in the service between Cuxhaven and Immingham.
May 1996 used in the service between Copenhagen and Malmo to Klaipeda.
Sept. 1996 Sold to Clare Shipping, Oslo and still chartered by DFDS till December 1996.
December 1996 transferred to Seahawk K/S, Oslo (NIS) and renamed SEAHAWK.
Jan. 1996 chartered by Pandoro Ltd., Fleetwood and used in the service between Liverpool and Dublin.
July 1997 chartered by Fred Olsen, Norway and used in the service Oslo-Bamble-Kristiansand and Hamburg.
Sept 1997 chartered by Pandoro Ltd., Fleetwood again and used in the service between Liverpool and Dublin.
Feb. 1998 chartered by Suardiaz and used in the service between France and England,
May 1998 chartered by P&O European Ferries Ltd., Portsmouth and used in the service between Portsmouth and Le Havre.
Oct. 1998 again chartered by Suardiaz for the service between England and France.
08 May 2002 chartered by Cetam, France and renamed CETAM VICTORIAE and used in the service between Southhampton and Santander, Spain.
Sept. 2002 redelivered to owners and renamed SEAHAWK.
October 2002 chartered by ESCO. Estonia for the service between Kiel and Tallinn.
2003 Chartered by Cobelfret.
September 2003 chartered by the Dart Line.
November 2003 sold Melody Shipping, Piraeus, Greece, renamed in AEGEAN SUN.
2004 Chartered by ANEK Cargo Lines, used in the service between Patras and Porto Marghera.
March 2006 renamed in ARCHAGELOS.
Used in the service between Pireaus and Chios.
http://www.equasis.org gives for 2009, same owner, managed by Aegean Cargo Joint Venture, Piraeus.
IMO No. 7383451, call sign SZUB, and under Greek flag.
Source: Comecon Merchant Ships by Ambrose Greenway. http://www.faktaomfartyg.crosswinds.net ... g_1975.htm
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