GREEK CARGO VESSEL AROUND 600 B.C.

[aukepalmhof]

The Greeks conquered Eastern Libya when according to tradition; emigrants from the crowded island of Thera, were commanded by the oracle at Delphi to seek a new home in North Africa.
In 631 BC, they founded the city of Cyrene. Within 200 years, four more important Greek cities established in the area: Barce (Al Marj), Euhesperides (later Berenice, present day Benghazi), Teuchira (later Arsinoe, present –day Tukrah) and Apollonia (Susah), the port of Cyrene. Together with Cyrene, they were known as the Pentapolis (Five Cities).
http://www.libyan-stamps.com/page9999-01e(history).htm

The stamp depicts most probably a Greek cargo vessel of that time. She was built of wood and used for all transport imports and exports and passengers.
She were not fast, could be sailed and rowed and around 631 BC she were about 150 tons.
The average speed was around 5 knots with a fair wind from behind.
Against contrary wind she needed a lot of tacking or was rowed during calms and in confined spaces.
Carried one mast, stayed fore and aft, one square sail.
At that time this cargo ships with almost constant warfare between the cities were also armed, and carried a ram at the prow.
Dim. 15.2 x 4.3m. Crew around 8 men.

Benin 1997 150f sg1667, scott?
Libya 1983 100dh sg1304, scott?
Congo (Kinshasa) 2001 10Fc sg?, scott?

Source: Liners, Tankers & Merchant Ships by Robert Jackson. Various web-sites.