Independence

[shipstamps]

For the 50th anniversary of the International Labour Organisation the Guyana Post Office issued two commemorative stamps, one showing the world's first all aluminium ship owned and built by Sprostons Ltd., Guyana. She is the motor vessel Independence, completed and registered in 1966, with a gross tonnage of 306, net 176 tons. Her dimensions are 119.8 x 26.2 x 13.2 ft. (depth), 7.6 ft. (draft). She has two oil engines having 6 cylinders and developing 360 b.h.p. SG502

[aukepalmhof]

Built as a cargo vessel under yard No. 81 by Sprostons Ltd., Georgetown, Guyana, for his own account.
Launched under the name INDEPENDENCE.
Tonnage 305 grt, 176 nrt, dim. 36.47 x 7.97m.
Two 6-cyl. diesel engine 360 bhp., twin screws. Speed 9 knots.
Crew 7
1966 Completed.

The vessel was built completely out of aluminium, and the first all-aluminium general cargo vessel in the world.
A total of 62 long tons of aluminium were used.
Used for the service between McKenzie and Georgetown on the Demerara River.
(The first all-aluminium ship was ALUMINIA, a tanker built in Germany in 1960.)

1981 Sold and renamed in INDEPEN.
The same year sold to Haydee Alina, Roatan, Honduras and renamed HAYDEE ALINA.

2010 http://www.equasis.org gives, same name, same owner, IMO No. 6608775, under Honduras flag and register.

31 January 2012 deleted by Lloyds Registry, existence in doubt.

Source: Log Book. http://www.miramarshipindex.org.nz . Historical Sketches of Watercraft on Stamps Volume 2.