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.
For the 50th Anniversary of the Jamaica Combined Cadet Force the Jamaica Post issued a stamp of $1.40 with two patrol boats on it.
Mr. Peter Crichton thinks that the patrol boat in the foreground is the FORT CHARLES and the ship in the background is one of the Bay class, DISCOVERY BAY (P4), HOLLAND BAY (P5) and MANATEE BAY (P6).
Of the Bay class the only information I have is that the class had a length of 85 feet, and that they are no more in service by the Jamaica Coast Guard. Combat Fleets of 1993 does not mention the class.
The FORT CHARLES was built as a patrol craft in 1974 by Swiftships LLC, Morgan City, La. U.S.A. for the Jamaican Coast Guards.
Displacement: 109 ton. Dim. 35.35 x 6.70 x 2.13m. (draught)
Powered by two MTU MV 16V 538 TB 90 diesel, engines, 7,000 shp., speed 32 knots.
Endurance by a speed of 18 knots. 1,200 mile.
Armament: 1 – 20mm and 2 – 12.7mm MG.
Crew 16.
2012 Still in service.
Jamaica 1993 $1.40 sg831, scott790.
Source: http://www.jdfmil.org/Units/coast_guard/cg_history.php
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Army_of_Jamaica
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/County_Cla ... rol_Vessel




