French Polynesia has issued a well-designed set of six stamps showing types of craft found in local waters. The 22 franc stamp of this issue depicts the motorship Oiseau de Iles II, owned by the Cie. Francaise des Phosphates de l'Oceanie, who incidentally still have in service the smaller 398-ton Oiseau des Isles, built in 1935.
The vessel on the stamp was built in 1956 by the Chantiers Navals de La Pallice at La Rochelle¬Pallice, and has a gross tonnage of 500 on dimensions 159 ft. 10 ins, by 29 ft. 3 ins, by 13 ft. PA ins. She is powered by a Ruston and Hornsby 8-cylinder oil engine of 890 b.h.p. and is registered at Papeete. Three other stamps in the issue depict craft which might be identifiable to people in the islands of French Polynesia: a large sailing yacht on the 11 franc stamp (Yacht de Grande Croisiere), a high-powered pleasure craft (12 franc) and a typical old time islands trading schooner.
SG61 Sea Breezes 12/66