The cruise liner depict on this stamp from Dominica looks very similar to ANTILLES (1953) or FLANDRE (1952), (are sisterships) is given by Mr. Peter Crichton, and I agree with him that one of this vessels is depict on the stamp.
ANTILLES was built as passenger-cargo vessel by Arsenal Brest for the Compagnie Générale Transatlantique (French Line).
29 April 1951 launched as the ANTILLES.
Tonnage 19,828 grt, 10,530 net, 5,735 dwt., dim. 173,23 x 24.4 m.
Powered by two double reduction geared steam turbines sets, manufactured by At & Ch de Bretagne, Nantes, 42,000 hp, twin shafts, speed 23 knots.
Accommodation for 403 first class, 285 cabin class and 89 tourist class.
March 1953 completed.
April 1953 made her maiden voyage from Le Havre via Southampton, Vigo, San Juan, Pointe a Pitre, Roseau, Fort de France, St Lucia and Barbados.
During the winter of 1963/64 refitted and modernized.
From the 1960s also used for cruises in the Caribbean from out American ports.
One a cruise in the Caribbean she left on 02 January 1971 Pointe a Pitre during a flat calm with on board 350 passengers and 300 crew for one of her winter cruises. Her last port of call was La Guairá, Venezuela.
It was while she was passing through the Grenadines on 08 January bound for Barbados that the ANTILLES grounded at 04.30 pm off North Point, Mustique Island near St Vincent.
The shock as the vessel struck the reef opened up a hole along two of her holds.
While awaiting rescue operations, it was decided to jettison fuel but at 5.45 pm this caused a fire in the engine room which got out of control, setting the accommodation on fire, some two a half hours after running aground the order was given to the passengers to abandon the vessel, when loaded the lifeboats were towed away from the burning wreck by the ship’s own launches.
The master and a few crew members stayed behind to fight the fire, but when the fire got out of control they had to leave the vessel.
The QUEEN ELIZABETH 2 rescued 510 persons from the Island of Mustique, where the survivors had taken refuge. The master of the ANTILLES with 50 other survivors reached the nearby island Bequia.
85 Crew were picked up by the French vessel SUFFREN.
The burnt out hulk of the ANTILLES broke later in two.
Source: Lloyds Register 1955/56. http://www.frenchlines.com/ship_en_14.php The World’s Passenger Ships by Colin F. Worker. Modern Shipping Disasters 1963-1987 by Norman Hooke.
FLANDRE: Was built as a passenger-cargo vessel under yard No206 by Ateliers. & Chantiers de France, Dunkirk for the Cie Générale Transatlantique, Le Havre.
04 March 1948 keel laid down.
31 October 1951 launched as the FLANDRE.
Tonnage 20,469 grt, 10,658 net, 5834 dwt, dim. 182.8 x 24.5m., length bpp. 173.4m.
Powered by two sets geared turbines, manufactured by Ateliers & Chantiers de Bretange S.A., Nantes, 44,000 shp, twin shafts, speed 23 knots.
Passenger accommodation for 402 first, 285 cabin and 97 tourist class. Crew 361.
July 1952 completed.
23 July 1952 maiden voyage Le Havre to New York, after arrival there withdrawn from service because of various electrical problems. She returned to builders for repair until April 1953.
She returned to the Le Havre to New York service.
1955 Passengers given as 212 first class and 511 tourist class.
From 1958 employed hitherto with the ANTILLES in the service between France and the West Indies and Central America, otherwise New York service.
From 1962 only used in the West Indies service. White painted hull.
February 1962 sold to Costa Armatori SpA, Genoa and renamed CARLA C.
She was refitted in Italy till December 1962, passenger accommodation 754. Tonnage 19,975 grt.
First 10 January 1969 first cruise from Los Angeles to Mexico. Since 1970 cruising from USA east coast ports.
01 June 1974 arrived at Amsterdam for conversion to motor-ship. Steam turbines replaced by two 20-cyl. Stork-Werkspoor geared diesel engines, 26,700 bhp, twin shafts, speed 17 knots.
Passenger accommodation for 823 passengers.
January 1975 returned to service.
1983 Tonnage given as 19,942 grt.
1986 Renamed CARLA COSTA and owned by Costa Crociere SpA, Napels.
1992 Sold to Valentine Navigation Corp., Piraeus, Greece and renamed PALLAS ATHENA. Managed by the Epitotiki Lines S.A.
24 March 1994 was she beached on Salamis Island after fire broke out on board earlier that day, while berthed at Piraeus prior to make her first voyage that season.
25 March the fire was extinguished but she was complete gutted.
1994 Sold to Turkish shipbreakers and was towed away from Piraeus on 23 December 1994 bound for Aliaga, Turkey.
25 December she arrived at Aliaga by the breakers yard of Hurdasan (MKE).
Dominica 1971 50c sg330, scott (the motor yacht on the foreground is not identified)
Source: Lloyds Register 195/56. Marine News. Great Passenger Ships of the World by Arnold Kludas.