Gilbert and Ellice Is canoes.

shipstamps · Post by **shipstamps** » Sat Mar 28, 2009 12:57 pm

The Gilbert and Ellice Islands were a British protectorate from 1892 and colony from 1916 until 1 January 1976 when the islands were divided into two different colonies which became independent nations shortly after. The Gilbert Islands have been the major part of the nation of Kiribati since 1979, and the Ellice Islands became Tuvalu in 1978.The protectorate was generally established on this area (but not on these islands) by the Pacific Islands Protection Act of 1857, and then in 1877 for the Western Pacific Territories, but the protectorate on the Gilbert group and on the Ellice group was formal and effective only from 1892, and a High Commissioner was appointed in 1893. The islands became a Crown Colony on 12 January 1916. The colony's capital was mainly on Banaba Island (Ocean Island) and after World War II on Tarawa, first in Betio island then near Bairiki.

The sixteen islands of the Gilberts, declared a protectorate by Captain Davis, R. N. of HMS Royalist between 27 May and 17 June 1892, were discovered intermittently from perhaps as early as 1537 up to 1826. The Ellice Islands were declared a protectorate by Captain Gibson, R. N. of HMS Curaçao between 9th and 16 October of the same year; Banaba (or Ocean Island) was included within the protectorate in 1900 and then in the colony in 1916. In the same year, Fanning Island and Washington Island were included in it together with the islands of the Tokelau or Union Islands; Christmas Island was included in 1919 but was contested by the USA. The Tokelaus were detached in 1925 (but not formally until just after WWII); the Phoenix Islands were added in 1937 and the five islands of the Central and Southern Line Islands were added in 1972.

In 1974, ethnic differences within the colony caused the Polynesians of the Ellice Islands to vote for separation from the Micronesians of the Gilbert Islands (later Kiribati). The following year, the Ellice Islands became the separate British colony of Tuvalu.

Gilbert and Ellice SG49(Ellice Islands canoe),SG53(Gilbert Islands canoe). Tuvalu SG3

aukepalmhof · Post by **aukepalmhof** » Fri Jun 16, 2017 9:42 pm

The “Wa” which means canoe you can find in the Gilbert Islands, (now Kiribati) and central Pacific.
It is a small cigar-shaped canoe used in the lagoons and near shore areas for traveling and fishing. Sewn planks over a keel strengthened with ribs; hull asymmetrical. Single outrigger; two booms cross hull to the small float; forked stanchions inserted in the float and braced by horizontal stringers across the booms. Paddles used for steering and propelling. Carries two people. Boomed, triangle sail set to mast raked sharply forward; yard tacked to bow.
Reported lengths 3.7-4.8m beam 0.38-0.61m.

Gilbert and Ellice Islands 1956 2s/6d sg73 scott?, 1964 3s7d sg 84, scott, 1970 35c sg 172, scott?, 1971 5c sg177, scott? and 15c sg?, scott?.
Gilbert Island 1977 40c sg63, scott?
Kiribati 1979 20c sg 101, scott?
Tuvalu 1976 5c sg 5, scott?

The 5d stamp of Gilbert sg49 and Tuvalu sg3 (the canoe on the right) shows a “Baobao” (boopaa) type canoe.
Source: Aak to Zumbra a Dictionary of the World's Watercraft.