CONWAY 1858

[shipstamps]

Built as a wooden paddle steamer by the yard of William & Henry Pitcher, Northfleet, on the Thames for the West India Mail Line later Royal Mail Line.
19 November 1846 launched under the name CONWAY.
Tonnage 895 gross, dim. 65.53 x 10.67 x 4.88m.
Oscillating 2-cyl steam engines, 270 hp., speed 9 knots. Consumption of 22 ton a day.
Two decks, passenger accommodation for 40 passengers. Cargo capacity 70 tons.
When built she had two small funnels athwartship, which served one boiler each.


She was specially built for the mail service between the U.K and the West Indies.
11 April 1847 sailed for her maiden voyage from Southampton to the West Indies.
1862 Refit and re-engined, thereafter she did have one large funnel, and fitted out with feather paddles.
Feather paddles work when a rod and cam pivoted the paddle so that each blade entered and left the water in vertical position. With fixed paddles the blades entered and left the water at an inefficient angle and were only vertical at the one instant when directly below the axle.

20 October 1867, she was grounded during the Great St Thomas hurricane, and her masts and funnel blown off the ship.

June 1879 she was sold, fate unknown. (Miramar gives 1870 sold).

The design of the Belize stamp is of the vessel after her 1862 refit, while the stamp gives circa 1858, which is wrong.

Belize 1985 $3 sg 851.

Source: Log Book Vol. 15/230. Royal Mail Line and Nelson Line by Duncan Haws.