In 1968 Uruguay used a set of stamps to commemorate the 150th anniversary of her Navy, the $12 stamp depict the SUAREZ, but not a ship in the Uruguayan Navy did carry that name, the name must be GENERAL SUAREZ.
Built as a 2nd class wooden gunboat at Toulon for the French Navy.
1862 Laid down.
March 1863 launched as the TACTIQUE one of the Decidee class.
Displacement 360 ton standard, 405 ton full load. Dim. 38.84 x 6.71 x 3.00m. (draught).
Powered by a 2-cyl Schneider steam engine, 205 ihp, one shaft, speed 9 knots.
Armament 2 – 16cm guns.
Brig rigged.
Crew 62.
01 October 1863 commissioned.
The class was designed for coastal operations, but could also be used for river operations in the French colonies.
The class did have a flat bottom, so the ships could beach themselves during low tide.
28 January 1886 decommissioned and stricken from the French Navy List.
1886 Sold to the Uruguayan Navy and renamed GENERAL SUAREZ.
After a refit where her two 16 cm guns were replaced by 4 – 75mm Krupp guns and 4 Nordenfeldt MG.
Crew 57.
Patrolled Uruguayan waters during Revolution 1897-1900
1901 in use as a hydrographic ship and in use as a school and training vessel for cadets on the River Plata.
During the Revolution of 1904 patrolled coastal waters.
February 1905 returned to hydrographic work for a few months, then laid up
Around 1915 was she without engine and used as a stationary schoolship for cadets.
Ca. 1930 broken up.
The other stamp depict a privateer used by José Artigas during the war against Spain and Portugal, Stanley Gibbons gives the name ISABEL (1818), but I can not find a ship under that name in Uruguay.
Uruguay 1968 12p sg 1328, scott 762.
Uruguay 1968 20p sg 1385, scott 769.
Source: http://www.shipscribe.com/marvap/532a.html Conway’s All the World Fighting Ships 1860-1905
Watercraft Philately. Log Book .