Log Book 1983 page 253 in an article written by Tom Lloyd has some information on her; she carried Governor George Rennie to the Falkland Islands and took the old Governor Moody back.
She arrived on 27 June 1848 at Port Stanley and sailed on the 15 July. He gives then she was a 500-ton three-masted barque.
After Rennie arrived on the Falklands he proposed that a small packet-schooner of about 100 tons should be appointed to make regular mail voyages every month between Port Stanley and Rio de Janeiro, the proposition was accepted by the English Government; and this led to the Lafone Brothers firm, eventually developing into the Falkland Islands Company.
He gives then that the NAUTILUS built in 1827 at Scarborough under Master Stockdale and owned by Tindalls is depict on the stamp.
Log Book 1984 page 524 in an article written by Mr. Hogan is given, that he not believes that the vessel built in 1827 is depict on the stamp, he gives she was a brig of only 135 tons.
Then he gives in Stamp Monthly of January 1978; it states that the NAUTILUS was a 500-ton naval transport on charter.
Lloyds Register of 1848 does not list a NAUTILUS of 500 tons, but one listed as measured by the old act of 400 tons built in Shields in 1833. There was also an other NAUTILUS he gives of 346 tons. Mr. Hogan believes the 400-ton NAUTILUS is depict on the stamp.
NAUTILUS is a common name on ships, and there are already many stamps which depict a ship with the name NAUTILUS, but by a Google search I found some more information on the vessel built in 1833.
The stamp shows a barque rigged vessel and I agree with Mr. Hogan that the NAUTILUS built in 1833 in Shields is the vessel depict on the stamp.
Built in 1833 under the name NAUTILUS for Mr. J & F Somes of London.
Tonnage old act 400 tons. Barque rigged.
Most of her voyages I could not find, her owner Somes traded to all parts of the world, but she made two voyages in the convict trade to Australia.29 April 1838 she sailed under command of Capt. J. Newcombe from Woolwich, Thames, sailed from the Downs on 02 May with on board 133 female convicts, direct to Australia. Arrived Hobart, Tasmania 27/29 August. During the voyage 1 female convict died.
17 October 1839 she made an other voyage under command of Capt. H.F. Alloway with 200 male convicts from Dublin, and via Sydney (15 Feb. 1840) where 21 convicts were landed she sailed to Norfolk Island, where 178 convict were landed. During the voyage one convict died.
15 August 1842 she was chartered as a transport by the British Government.
First she was bringing home cavalry from Canada.
1843 Transporting stores to the Cape of Good Hope, and returned with invalids and stores.
1844 Troops and stores to Gibraltar and Mediterranean. The same year bringing troops and stores to St Helena and Ascension.
1845 Stores to Jamaica and Bermuda, returning with invalids, convict and stores.
Stores to Rio de Janeiro and Falkland Islands, returning with invalids and stores, made a call at Ascension.
1846 Stores to Ascension, Rio de Janeiro and the Falkland Islands.
Thereafter she remains in the service.
1847/1848 sold to Redman (or Redmans) & Co.
1848 Is given by Mr. Hogan in Log Book that she was destined to sail to Sierra Leone, and as this place is only a little off the sailing route to the Falklands, she most probably continued her voyage to South America and the Falklands.
What her fate was till so far not known.
Source: The Convict Ships 1788-1868 by Charles Bateson. Log Book.
http://www.theshiplist.com/ships/austra ... 839-46.htm and many more URL’s
