Built as an iron vessel by Osbourne, Graham & Co., Sunderland, U.K. for G Duncan & Co., London.
Launched under the name CELESTIAL EMPIRE.
Tonnage 1.832 gross, 1.699 net, dim. 267.2 x 40.1 x 23.9ft.
Ship rigged.
Two decks one bulkhead.
Port of registry London.
August 1877 completed.
Built for the Empire Line, and till 1907 was she under command of Captain J.Duncan.
She made regular voyages to the USA.
Most probably she visited in 1898 Tristan da Cunha the year given on the stamp on a voyage down under.
1907 Command was taken over by Captain G. Rochester.
The pretty white painted CELESTIAL EMPIRE was broken up in April 1911.
She should not be confused with the USA registered vessel bearing the same name built 1852 but lost in 1878.
Tristan da Cunha 1999 50p sg649, scott?
Source: Watercraft Philately Vol. 46 page 10. The last of the Windjammers by Basil Lubbock. John Stevenson.