Around 1840 the British marine painter Turner painted the it is believed the paddle steamer ARIEL during a snowstorm, making signals in shallow water, and going by the lead in the harbour mount of Harwich, and after this painting the stamp is designed.
On the stamp, and also the painting you hardly can find the ARIEL
She was built as a wooden paddle steamer by William Evans at Rotherhithe for British Post Office.
09 June 1821 ordered.
13 September 1921 launched under the name ARROW.
Tonnage 151 ton (bm), dim. 94.6 x 17.3 x 10.3ft
Powered by two steamengines each 20 nhp.
Armament: 1- 4pdr. gun.
January 1822 delivered to owners.
She was built for the cross-Channel service between Dover and Calais route, and arrived for the first time in Dover on 25 January 1822 under command of Captain Hamilton.
She was built under Admiralty supervision, and 8 ships of this class were altogether ordered in June 1821.
They featured a cabin for ladies and could accommodate vehicles on the upper deck.
15 March 1825 under command of Capt. Luke Smithett.
May 1825 transferred to the Portpatrick - Donaghadee service.
1833 returned to Dover and used for the service from Dover to Oostende (Ostend) but before she was lengthened on the yard of Fletcher & Fearnall at Limehouse.
New tonnage 151 ton (bm), length 107.11ft.
September 1833 re-engined by Boulton, Watt Co., with two side lever steam engines of 30 nhp. each.
An inquire in 1836 showed up an appalling lack of management of resources and recommended that all the Post Office vessels should be transferred to the Admiralty.
When the Admiralty took over the mail service she was on 01 February 1837 transferred, there was already a HMS ARROW and to prevent confusion she was renamed ARIEL.
In 1840 she brought Prince Albert to England for his marriage to Queen Victoria.
When the Royal yacht VICTORIA and ALBERT was commissioned in 1843, the ARIEL was used as tender for the yacht during the summer cruises.
March 1843 the ARIEL brought Prince Albert to Oostende (Ostend).
The ARIEL remained based at Dover.
January 1846 laid up at Dover.
17 May 1850 sold to T.Marston for commercial service.
Till so far not found her fate.
Great Britain 1975 5½p sg?, scott 737.
Source: The Sail & Steam Navy list by Lyon and Winfield. Ships on stamps C-D Rom A-D of Watercraft Philately. Some web-sites.