COMMEMORATIVE ISSUE
Australia 99 - Maritime Heritage
Issue Date: 5 March 1999
25p - HMS Beagle
In 1833 and 1834, Charles Darwin visited the Falkland Islands in the vessel, HMS Beagle.
After leaving the Islands, Darwin sailed across the Pacific and arrived at Sydney, Australia in January 1836.
Is it thought that "Darwin" settlement in the Falklands and the town "Darwin" in Northern Australia were both named after Charles Darwin.
It has been known for mail addressed to Darwin in the Falklands to have been received in Darwin, Australia.
35p - HMAS Australia
A battle cruiser of 19,200 tons and with a main armament of 8 x 12" guns, HMAS Australia was head of the Australia Fleet when it arrived in Sydney on 4 October 1913 for the first time.
During the Battle of the Falkland Islands, HMAS Australia was stationed off the west coast of Panama when she was ordered to England to become Flagship of the British Cruiser Squadron.
She arrived at the Falkland Islands on 3 January 1915 and two days later again she sailed when she intercepted and sank a German Collier 'Eleanore Woermann' believed to be laden with 1800 tonnes of coal for the hunted German warship 'Dresden', the only German ship to escape the Battle of the Falklands.
HMAS Australia was the Flagship of the Seconf Light Cruiser Squadron in the UK waters and was present at the surrender of the German fleet in the Firth of Forth leading the Port Division of the British Grand Fleet.
40p - SS Canberra
The "Great White Whale" of the Falklands Conflict in 1982 SS Canberra was formally a cruise ship, of 44,807 tons, with P & O.
Built in 1961, the SS Canberra had a top speed of 27.5 knots.
She was requisitioned on 4 April 1982 and berthed at Southampton at the end of a world cruise.
After being fitted with helipads, RAS gear and a small hospital, she sailed for the South Atlantic with 2400 troops on 9 April.
SS Canberra returned to Southampton on 11 July 1982.
Her service in the South Atlantic also took her to South Georgia where she uplifted troops from the QE2 for disembarkation in the Islands.
50p - Se-tenant pair
SS Great Britain & English Cricket Team
The SS Great Britain provided a fast regular service between England and Australia for 25 years, sometimes calling at the Falkland Islands to refuel.
In 1861 the SS Great Britian sailed from England with the first English representative team of cricketers to visit Australia.
The trip was sponsored by the Australians after hearing about the English team's tour of America.
The "Ashes" came later in 1882 and which are still being played for today.
Technical details:
Designer: Ross Watton
Printer: Walsall Security Printers
Process: Lithography
Stamp Size: 28.45 x 42.5 mm
Perforations: 14.1 per 2 cms
Copyright: FI Philatelic Bureau Created and Maintained by: Cyberpoint Limited