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Gaboon Republic's "Day of the Stamp" issue for last year (1968) shows a most attractive picture of the Junon, which has been described as a "packet-boat" in some stamp magazines, probably because of the reason for the issue. However she looks much more like the steam frigate of that name to me. She was a vessel of 46 guns, laid down at Brest in 1847, but not launched until January 29, 1861. About a year later she was commanded by Capt. Didelot, when she was sent to relieve the frigate Danae in West Africa. She remained on this station about five years (presumably the stamp is the centenary of this event) before returning to Brest for a large refit. Maybe, on this return voyage to France, she carried the first mails from the area? It is an interesting speculation—why is Junon on the stamp?
SG335 Sea Breezes 5/69

Built as a wooden sailing frigate 2nd class at Brest for the French Navy.
17 April 1847 keel laid down.
1858 Converted to a screw frigate and lengthened.
28 January 1861 launched as the La JUNON one of the Hermione class.
Displacement 3564 tons, dim. 77 x 13.5 x 6.5m.
Powered by a 2-cyl. steamengine, 2,400 hp., speed 11 knots. Bunker capacity 500 tons.
Armament when built 46 guns.
1863 Completed

From 1863 till 1867 in the French squadron based on the western African coast, thereafter returned to Brest for a refit.
November 1867 received orders to proceed to the China Sea.
Later stationary at Saigon, then there in reserve.
1876 Broken up.

Gabon 1968 30f sg335, scott234

Source: Log Book http://www.netmarine.net/bat/smarins/junon/ancien.htm


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