Navy Day in India 4 December

Navy Day in India is celebrated on 4 December every year to recognize the achievements and role of the Indian Navy to the country. 4 December was chosen as on that day in 1971, during Operation Trident, the Indian Navy sank four Pakistani vessels including PNS Khaibar, killing hundreds of Pakistani Navy personnel.On this day, those who martyred in the Indo-Pakistan War of 1971 are also remembered.

During the days leading up to Navy Day, during Navy Week and the days prior to that, various events take place such as an open sea swimming competition, ships are open for visitors and school children, there is a veteran sailors lunch, performances by the Naval Symphonic Orchestra take place, an Indian Navy Inter School Quiz Competition happens, a Navy Half Marathon as well as an air display for school children and the beating retreat and tattoo ceremonies happen.

 

24 September - World Maritime Day

 

World Maritime Day seeks to raise awareness about international maritime industries and celebrate their work toward the global economy. This day focuses on shipping safety, maritime security, and protection of the marine environment. The International Maritime Organization (IMO) works as a regulatory framework for the maritime industry and first recognized the day in 1978. World Maritime Day is observed annually on the fourth Thursday of September.

Guernsey artwork collection fishing trawler

 

The stamp is a part of the set of 6 stamps on Artwork collections released On 21 July 2020 ,this stamp designs shows wonderful talents of the local art community.One of the stamp features the picture with a fishing trawler.

The Guernsey Arts Commission (GAC) had invited local artists to submit pieces of work to the team, for possible inclusion on our stamps.  The standard of pieces submitted was incredibly high and gave unenviable task of selecting just six pieces of artwork to feature on stamps and one on the First Day Cover. 

A fishing trawler is a commercial fishing vessel designed to operate fishing trawls.Trawling is a method of fishing that involves actively dragging or pulling a trawl through the water behind one or more trawlers. Trawls are fishing nets that are pulled along the bottom of the sea or in midwater at a specified depth. A trawler may also operate two or more trawl nets simultaneously.

#ArtWorksHere #ArtistOnTwitter #Guernsey #stamps #philately  #stamp #collectibles #philately #Guernsey #UnitedKingdom

SS Andrea Doria sank on 26 July 1956

SS Andrea Doria pronounced was an ocean liner for the Italian Line home-ported in Genoa, Italy, known for her sinking in 1956, when 46 people died.

Named after the 16th-century Genoese admiral Andrea Doria, the ship had a gross register tonnage of 29,100 and a capacity of about 1,200 passengers and 500 crew. For a country attempting to rebuild its shattered economy and reputation after World War II, Andrea Doria was an icon of Italian national pride. Of all Italy's ships at the time, Andrea Doria was the largest, fastest and supposedly safest. Launched on 16 June 1951, the ship undertook her maiden voyage on 14 January 1953.

On 25 July 1956, while Andrea Doria was approaching the coast of Nantucket, Massachusetts, bound for New York City, the eastbound MS Stockholm of the Swedish American Line collided with her in one of history's most infamous maritime disasters. Struck in the side, the top-heavy Andrea Doria immediately started to list severely to starboard, which left half of her lifeboats unusable. The consequent shortage of lifeboats could have resulted in significant loss of life, but the ship stayed afloat for over 11 hours after the collision.

The calm, appropriate behavior of the crew, together with improvements in communications, and the rapid response of other ships, averted a disaster similar in scale to that of Titanic in 1912. While 1,660 passengers and crew were rescued and survived, 46 people on the ship died as a direct consequence of the collision.The evacuated luxury liner capsized and sank the following morning. This accident remains the worst maritime disaster to occur in United States waters since the sinking of SS Eastland in 1915

It was recorded that Andrea Doria finally sank bow first 10 hours after the collision, at 10:09 am on 26 July 1956

HMS Vestal 26 July 1943 ship was sunk

HMS Vestal was an Algerine-class minesweeper of the Royal Navy. She was launched in 1943 and saw service in the Pacific War against the Empire of Japan. She was critically damaged by Japanese kamikaze aircraft in 1945 and was subsequently scuttled in waters close to Thailand.

Vestal was the only British ship to be taken out of action by kamikaze pilots in the Indian Ocean and the last Royal Navy ship to be lost in the Second World War.She was sunk whilst partaking in Operation Livery. Vestal was commanded by Lt. Charles William Porter, DSC, from 26 July 1943 until 26 July 1945, when the ship was sunk.Her engine was provided by Paxman

Third voyage of James Cook 12 July 1776

James Cook (7 November 1728– 14 February 1779) was a British explorer, navigator, cartographer, and captain in the British Royal Navy. He made detailed maps of Newfoundland prior to making three voyages to the Pacific Ocean, during which he achieved the first recorded European contact with the eastern coastline of Australia and the Hawaiian Islands, and the first recorded circumnavigation of New Zealand.

James Cook's third and final voyage (12 July 1776 – 4 October 1780) took the route from Plymouth via Cape Town and Tenerife to New Zealand and the Hawaiian Islands, and along the North American coast to the Bering Strait.

Its ostensible purpose was to return Omai, a young man from Raiatea, to his homeland, but the Admiralty used this as a cover for their plan to send Cook on a voyage to discover the Northwest Passage. HMS Resolution, to be commanded by Cook,were prepared for the voyage which started from Plymouth in 1776.

Final Day of CANAL ZONE 30 September 1979

Last Day of Operation Canal Zone

The Panama Canal Zone was an unincorporated territory of the United States from 1903 to 1979, centered on the Panama Canal and surrounded by the Republic of Panama. The zone consisted of the canal and an area generally extending five miles (8.0 km) on each side of the centerline, excluding Panama City and Colón, which otherwise would have been partly within the limits of the Zone. Its border spanned three of Panama's provinces. 

In 1904, the Isthmian Canal Convention was proclaimed. In it, the Republic of Panama granted to the United States in perpetuity the use, occupation, and control of a zone of land and land under water for the construction, maintenance, operation, sanitation, and protection of the canal. From 1903 to 1979, the territory was controlled by the United States, which had purchased the land from the private and public owners, built the canal and financed its construction. The Canal Zone was abolished in 1979 on 30 September, as a term of the Torrijos–Carter Treaties two years earlier; the canal itself was later under joint U.S.–Panamanian control until it was fully turned over to Panama in 1999

On September 30, 1979, the Canal Zone ceased to exist, and its stamps consigned to the status of 'dead country'. This has not lessened the attraction its stamps and covers hold for collectors. Happy to let you all know i have a cover of last dat of operation .Enjoy the beauty of the cover which is dispalyed above. 

The cancellation of the cover is of "BALBOA" its a multimodal (ship-to-train) terminal, called the Pacific Terminal, connected to Colón by the Panama Canal Railway.

Video of the stamps featuring Ships on Indian stamps

Sailing on the waves of Philately

Please find a video of the stamps featuring Ships on Indian stamps . India has depicted ships on stamps, since ships have long been a means of transporting the mail over long distances. Ships are also symbols of economic or military prowess, and in some cases specific ships are associated with events of historical significance to the issuing nation.

SS United States 07 July 1952 transatlantic speed record

The ocean liner SS United States passes Bishop Rock on 07 July 1952 her maiden voyage, breaking the transatlantic speed record to become the fastest passenger ship in the world

SS United States is a retired ocean liner built in 1950–51 for the United States Lines at a cost of $79.4 million. The ship is the largest ocean liner constructed entirely in the United States and the fastest ocean liner to cross the Atlantic in either direction, retaining the Blue Riband for the highest average speed since her maiden voyage in 1952. She was designed by American naval architect William Francis Gibbs and could be converted into a troopship if required by the Navy in time of war. The United States maintained an uninterrupted schedule of transatlantic passenger service until 1969 and was never used as a troopship.

The ship has been sold several times since the 1970s, with each new owner trying unsuccessfully to make the liner profitable. Eventually, the ship's fittings were sold at auction, and hazardous wastes, including asbestos panels throughout the ship, were removed, leaving her almost completely stripped by 1994. Two years later, she was towed to Pier 82 on the Delaware River, in Philadelphia, where she remains today.

Since 2009, a preservation group called the SS United States Conservancy has been raising funds to save the ship. The group purchased her in 2011 and has drawn up several unrealized plans to restore the ship, one of which included turning the ship into a multi-purpose waterfront complex. In 2015, as its funds dwindled, the group began accepting bids to scrap the ship; however, sufficient donations came in via extended fundraising. Large donations have kept the ship berthed at its Philadelphia dock while the group continues to further investigate restoration plans

Australia - Tourist Transport theme The Canoe and flat-bottomed boats

This stamp is part of the set of Tourist Transport theme

The Canoe and flat-bottomed boats carry tourists along the dramatic Katherine Gorge, a deep gorge carved through ancient sandstone by the Katherine River and the central attraction of Nitmiluk National Park in the Northern Territory.

The self-adhesive booklet with this issue includes the four stamp designs.

2020 EUROPA, ANCIENT POSTAL ROUTES

The 2020 Europa stamp theme is ancient postal routes, and the Åland contribution shows the Postal Boat Race across the Sea of Åland. Following the ancient postal route between Åland and Sweden, the Race is arranged in June every year in remembrance of the Åland and Swedish postal-farmers’ obligation to convey mail as well as passengers in all kinds of weather. Starting in 1638, the conveyance of mail continued for almost 400 years until early 1900s.

Orca with a fishing trawler released on 17 April 2020

Norway issued a  single stamp, a killer whale(orca) with a fishing trawler.

Most killer whales are found in Antarctica, but there are also around 3,000 in the Norwegian Sea and Barents Sea.

The stamp was released on 17 April 2020. Its a beautiful stamp issued by Norway, waiting to have my hand on the stamps 

Shipwrecks in the Falkland Islands - WRECKS PART 4

The extraordinary voyages of 16th century seafarers transformed history as newly-developed deep-water sailing ships, equipped with the mariner’s compass, enabled Europeans to venture beyond the horizon and scour the oceans for new land, dreams and gold. During one such voyage in 1592, to the Magellan Straits, the little recognized but most accomplished navigator, John Davis, in his ship, Desire, was storm-blown under bare poles amongst these apparently unknown and unpeople islands. But it is likely that the archipelago had been quietly known about for years by the major sea powers, as an ill-defined cluster of blobs appear, vaguely positioned near the eastern end of the Magellan Strait, on maps from 1507 on wards. Amerigo Vespucci may well have seen them from the deck of a Portuguese ship as early as 1502.

The 700 islands, islets, rocks and reefs which comprise the Falklands are situated some 315 nautical miles down-wind and down-stream from Cape Horn. Battered by frequent gales and surrounded by strong currents, the Islands have always provided both peril and sanctuary for the seafarer. Over 180 ships are known to have met their end in the wild seas which surround the Falklands. Without doubt there will have been others which sank without trace.

During the 1850’s there was a sudden upsurge in sea-borne traffic around Cape Horn. Vessels trading in Californian and Australian gold, Chilean copper and Peruvian guano began calling into Stanley for repair and provisions. The nearest alternative port was Montevideo a thousand miles to the north. Some ships attempting to round the Horn were overloaded, some unseaworthy, and others simply unlucky. Many suffered severe battering and, riding the prevailing westerlies, limped back into harbour to lick their wounds. A few lame ducks never recovered. Others were deliberately wrecked and their cargoes sold by unscrupulous dealers. The growing port gained a notorious reputation and a flock of worn-out windjammers. Several are still stuck in the Stanley harbour mud. But time and tide and two pernicious sea worms, the teredo and the gribble, have hastened their demise and in many cases their crumbling woodwork has all but disappeared.

This issue, the fourth in the Shipwrecks series of Falkland Island, depicts some of those vessels which finished their days beached along the Falklands’ shorelines. They remain an integral part of the Islands’ history and a reminder of the salty folk who sailed in them.

32p Samson

The 94’ tugboat, Samson, built in Hull in 1888, was brought down in 1900 by the Falkland Islands Company in the aftermath of the City of Philadelphia disaster. Her value was shown on Christmas Eve 1910 when the Samson towed the iron ship Wavertree into Stanley after she had been dismasted off Cape Horn. In November 1912, the PSNC liner Oravia struck the Billy Rock near the entrance to Port William. At night and in heavy seas, Captain Thomas took the Samson alongside the stricken vessel, disembarking 150 passengers to safety. In 1924, the ageing tug was converted and she finished her working life as a lighter. During a heavy gale in 1945, the Samson broke her moorings and came ashore on the beach close to the north-east corner of Stanley Harbour.

78p St. Mary

In the fall of 1889 veteran shipbuilder, Charles V Minott, laid the keel of an unusually large vessel in Phippsburg, Maine. 241’ long and with a registered tonnage of 1942, St Mary was to be one of the last-built, finest constructed, and shortest lived of all the great “Downeasters”. She was launched just before noon on Thursday, 20th March 1890. Under command of Captain Carver, St Mary departed Manhattan, bound for San Francisco by way of Cape Horn. 67 days out and making good speed, she was about 130 miles west of Islas Diego Ramirez. It was a quiet moonlit night, at 1.13am on 7th August, when she collided with the 176’ steel-hulled Magellan. The Magellan foundered almost immediately with all hands, while the badly damaged St Mary limped downwind for Port Stanley. Three days later, just a few miles shy of the port, St Mary struck the Pinnacle Rock. The distressed Captain refused to leave his ship and later died on board. The cause of his death was never confirmed. The crew took to the lifeboat without him and made for the nearby farm at Fitzroy. Two weeks later the wreck split in two with one half washing ashore at Whale Point, near Fitzroy. The oaken bones of the St Mary remain today, like a stranded leviathan, where she washed ashore just five months after her triumphant launch.

£1.04 Weddell

The Weddell was a carvel-built schooner, constructed of Sandy Point timber in 1940 by Cia Doberti in Punta Arenas, Chile. She had a registered tonnage of 23.6 and was 44’7“ long. On February 1 1941, captained by Bill Radcliffe, she was registered in Stanley under “John Hamilton Ltd” and thence sailed to Weddell Island where Chris Bundes took over in charge. She was used mainly to transport sheep and wool around those islands which made up the Weddell Island group. At first, the Weddell had no engine and worked entirely under sail. In 1947 Duncan McRae took over as Captain and three years later, she was taken to Stanley to have her first engine installed. In 1976, after 35 years as the Weddell Island Farm boat, Bob Ferguson sailed her to Stanley where she was sold and gradually fell into disrepair. In June 1994, the Weddell was transported down to the Stanley’s Canache where she now lies beached above the tide line near Boxer Bridge.

£1.26 Garland


A three-masted, 599 tonne steel barque built in Liverpool in 1865, Garland put into Stanley on 6th March 1900, under command of Captain H Meyer, together with a crew of 16, while on passage from Hamburg to Talcahuano, Chile. Spillage from jars of acid amongst the cargo had caused extensive damage to her bottom plates and she was subsequently condemned. In September 1910 Garland was towed by the tug Samson to Darwin Harbour in connection with the canning plant. By 1912 she was being used at Goose Green to store coal from the Gaito. In October 1919 her owners, the Falkland Islands Company, reported that she had become useless as a hulk. Three years later she broke her moorings and came to rest, where she lies today, on the eastern shore of Darwin Harbour across the water from Goose Green. In October 1966 divers discovered the figurehead which had long since fallen off and lay covered in silt. It was brought to Stanley and restored by the then Museum Curator, John Smith. Today the Garland’s figurehead is proudly on display in Stanley’s Dockyard Museum. It depicts a young woman dressed in white and holding a garland of golden flowers. Unfortunately the head is missing.

Looking to acquire the stamps.

Info from : https://www.falklandstamps.com/falkland-islands.irc?catHdrId=6011584

Tristan da Cunha - Island Life - Through Their Eyes

 

Issue date: 1st October 2019

First Day Cover

Stamp Design Details
45p -MFV Edinburgh at Anchor by Shannon Swain aged 13

Shannon: "I chose to draw a picture of the MFV Edinburgh being offloaded because it is a very important vessel to the island bringing us many supplies."

The MFV Edinburgh is one of two vessels operated by the fishing factory owners; Ovenstone Agencies. The other is the MFV Geo Searcher. Between them, they make nine return voyages per year between Cape Town, South Africa and Tristan da Cunha, carrying passengers, cargo and mail, and undertaking fishing operations. The drawing shows the MFV Edinburgh at anchor off the settlement - Edinburgh of the Seven Seas - with the motorised raft transporting cargo into Calshot Harbour. The building behind the ship is St Mary's School, and the building to its right is the Residency.

70p - Fishing off Tristan island by Calvin Green aged 11

Calvin: "I drew this picture because here on Tristan da Cunha people go out in fishing boats to catch crawfish. My Dad is a fisherman and I also like going out in the fishing boats."

This underwater view shows a factory boat fishing off Tristan da Cunha island, with the volcanic cone soaring up to Queen Mary's Peak. Traps and nets have been set attached to floats to catch crawfish, and a hooked line (known locally as a long line) is catching Five Finger (named after their vertical markings)), Blue Fish and Steambras. The crawfish fishery is the mainstay of the island's economy, marketed as Tristan Rock Lobster, whereas other white fish are caught for local consumption.

£1.10 - Nightingale Island & the Great Shearwater by Deanna Rogers aged 10

Deanna: "I chose to draw this picture so I can show people one of the islands neighbouring Tristan, what it looks like and the important wildlife that live there."

This drawing shows the Conservation RIB Artic Tern passing in front of Nightingale Island with its distinctive profile. It is the breeding ground for many sea birds such as Northern Rockhopper Penguins, Yellow-nosed Albatrosses, Storm Petrels and the Great Shearwater, who nest in their millions.

£1.60 - Old Year's Night Okalolies by Chantelle Repetto aged 13

Chantelle "I decided to draw this picture because I wanted to show everyone how inspiring our traditions are to us as Tristanians. We as the future generation of Tristan want to keep our traditions alive."

No one knows for certain where the names Okalolies or alternatively Oka Bargees came from, but they are unique to Tristan. These names are what islanders call the men who go round the village on Old Year's Night (New Year's Eve) blowing whistles and making friendly mischief. They are masked and totally disquised from head to foot, and woe betides anyone that they catch!

FDC - Four island views by Amber Repetto aged 11

Amber: "I chose to draw these pictures as it is my opinion of the unique culture and hard work of the Tristan community. I feel Tristan da Cunha is a very important and special place."

The first day cover has a picture with four panels - clockwise from top left: Out in the Seaspray collecting trays of crawfish from the fishing boats and fishing. Also showing the different species of fish found in Tristan waters. Climbing to the base of the mountain with dogs. Working in the Potato Patches. Potatoes are an important crop being part of the islander's staple diet. A yacht sailing off Tristan Island. Many yachts call at Tristan for fresh water, food, fuel and a rest.

Tristan da Cunha , is a remote group of volcanic islands in the south Atlantic Ocean which includes Gough Island. It is the most remote inhabited archipelago in the world, lying approximately 1,511 miles (2,432 km) off the coast of Cape Town in South Africa, 1,343 miles (2,161 km) from Saint Helena and 2,166 miles (3,486 km) off the coast of the Falkland Islands.

The territory consists of the inhabited island, Tristan da Cunha, which has a diameter of roughly 11 kilometres (6.8 mi) and an area of 98 square kilometres (38 sq mi), and the wildlife reserves of Gough Island and Inaccessible Island and the smaller, uninhabited Nightingale Islands. As of October 2018, the main island has 250 permanent inhabitants who all carry British Overseas Territories citizenship. The other islands are uninhabited, except for the South African personnel of a weather station on Gough Island.

Tristan da Cunha is a British Overseas Territory with its own constitution.There is no airstrip of any kind on the main island, meaning that the only way of travelling in and out of Tristan is by boat, a six-day trip from South Africa.

I am looking at acquiring the stamps.

Stamp details content and image are from website : https://www.tristandc.com/po/stamps201907.php

Guyana - Golden Jubilee 2020 - Guyana’s 50th Republic Anniversary

In celebrating Guyana’s 50th Republic Anniversary, commemorative stamps and limited-edition gold medallions have been launched for the occasion.

Each medallion is 99.99 per cent pure gold and weighs one Troy ounce. Only 200 pieces have been produced and will go on sale, at over $200,000 each.

However, in addition to the medallions, the entities launched four national commemorative stamps.

According to Public Telecommunications Minister Cathy Hughes, the theme this year is depicted in the stamps. They are inked with the ceremonial mace, the Floating Production Storage and Offloading (FPSO) vessel Liza Destiny, and Mashramani celebrations among Guyanese.

Paquebot Cover "COVER POSTED ON BOARD" South Seaisles CRUISE 1950 SWEDEN

Paquebot Cover "COVER POSTED ON BOARD" South Seaisles CRUISE 1959 SWEDEN Paquebot Cover MS Kungsholm to Lund.

MS Kungsholm was a combined ocean liner / cruise ship built in 1953 by the De Schelde shipyard in Vlissingen, the Netherlands for the Swedish American Line. Between 1965 and 1981 she sailed for the North German Lloyd and their successor Hapag-Lloyd as MS Europa. From 1981 until 1984 she sailed for Costa Cruises as MS Columbus C. She sank in the port of Cadiz, Spain after ramming a breakwater on 29 July 1984. The vessel was refloated later that year, but sent to a Barcelona shipbreaker in 1985 for scrapping.

After the end of World War II the Swedish American Line, the company that had been pioneers of cruising during the 1920s,was left in a difficult situation. MS Stockholm, the large newbuild that had been planned during the late 1930s, never entered service for them because of the war, with the remaining fleet consisting of ageing ships.The company took delivery of their first post-war ship, the fourth MS Stockholm, in 1948. She was a small cargo/passenger liner far removed from the luxury of her pre-war predecessors.

In 1948, during the same year that the Stockholm was delivered, SAL had already begun market research on both sides of the Atlantic, with the prospect of building a new ship in mind. Based on the results of the research, the company decided to order a 20,000 gross register ton combined ocean liner / cruise ship that could accommodate 802 passengers.[1] After contacting 50 shipyards around the world about the prospects of buildings their new ship, SAL placed an order for their new ship with the De Schelde shipyard in The Netherlands on 1 April 1950.

On 18 October 1952 the new ship was launched and christened MS Kungsholm by Princess Sibylla of Sweden.The name "Kungsholm" was a traditional one, having been the name of two previous SAL ships. The newest Kungsholm was delivered to her owners on 30 September 1953.

The brand new Kungsholm set on her maiden voyage from Gothenburg to New York City on 24 November 1953

Don't Talk About Ship - South Africa Cover Durban Wave cancellation

Acquired the World war 2nd period South Africa Cover 1942  slogan cancellation on Ship  "Don't Talk About Ship" in 2 different language English and Afrikaans with a Durban wave cancellation.

The English slogan -  Don't Talk About Ship

The Afrikaans slogan - The full slogan should read “Moenie klets oor skepe nie” or “Don’t chat about ships”.

The exact translation from the English slogan would have been “Moenie praat oor skepe nie”. (Thanks Antonio Luis for providing the slogan details)

Slogans such as "Don't Talk About Ship", " Loose lips sink ships ", "Careless Talk Costs Lives" where used during the World War II .

Check below the slogans used on Posters during the World War II.

 

 

Poster reference : www.usmm.org

Commissioning of INS Sagardhwani 30 July 1994

NS Sagardhwani (A74) (Hindi : सागरध्वनि) is a marine acoustic research ship (MARS) owned by the Naval Physical and Oceanographic Laboratory (NPOL), a DRDO laboratory and is maintained and operated by the Indian Navy, and based at Southern Naval Command, Kochi.

The ship was built by Garden Reach Shipbuilders & Engineers, Kolkata, launched in May 1991, and commissioned on 30 July 1994. It is similar in design to the Sandhayak-class survey ships, but with the superstructure positioned amidships and a helipad forward. The vessel is designed to facilitate low noise and low vibration while carrying out acoustic programmes. It has floating floors for scientific laboratories, anti-vibration mountings for machinery and equipment, balloon launching container and wind weather radar to carry out those experiments. It is also equipped with VHF sets, marine radio and auto telephone exchange.

Internally, the ship has eight laboratories for various scientific disciplines, and a mini-operating theater with medical staff. At the stern is handling equipment for mooring and retrieving oceanographic and acoustic buoys. It can accommodate up to 82 persons, including 16 scientists, and a crew of 8 officers and 58 sailors.

Emblem :By Indian Navy - http://indiannavy.nic.in/naval-fleet/ships?page=0,12, GODL-India, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=38416280

Photo from : http://indiannavy.gov.in/about-indian-navy/about-us - http://indiannavy.gov.in/naval-fleet/sagardhwani-class, GODL-India, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=28961932

Source: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/INS_Sagardhwani_(A74)

India – Republic of Korea : Joint Issue

India, a sheet with two stamps, a joint issue of India and South Korea. A queen and a princess are shown with a magnificent ship.

Bilateral consular relations between India and Republic of Korea (RoK) were established in 1962. In 1973, relations were upgraded to Ambassador-level (also with Pyongyang). Consistent Indian support for peaceful reunification of the two Koreas has been well received in this country. •

However, historical and cultural contacts between the two peoples date back to ancient times. According to “Samguk Yusa” or “The Heritage History of the Three Kingdoms” written in the 13th century, a Princess from Ayodhya (Suriratna) came to Korea, married King Kim–Suro, and became Queen Hur Hwang–ok in the year 48 AD. Queen Heo, then 16 years old, sailed across the ocean under the orders of the king of the “Ayuta” kingdom on a vessel that carried the Pasa Stone Pagoda, which was said to have calmed the high seas. She thus became the first woman to ever immigrate to Korea. After the royal wedding, the queen bore her king 10 sons and two daughters. Of the 10 sons, two took their mother’s surname and became the progenitors of the Gimhae Heo clan. The Pasa Stone Pagoda that the queen brought to Korea was kept at Hogyesa Temple until the late Joseon Dynasty, at which time it was moved to the Tomb of Queen Heo. The pagoda currently sits inside a dedicated pavilion at the tomb and is preserved in excellent condition. Korean Buddhist Monk Hyecho (혜초, 704-787 CE) or Hong Jiao visited India from 723 to 729 AD. His travelogue “Pilgrimage to the five kingdoms of India” gives a vivid account of Indian culture, politics & society, including food habits, languages and climate.

The rationale for a close relationship between India and RoK has been reinforced in modern times by political and economic imperatives. The experience of colonial rule and the anti-colonial movements in both countries revived interest in each other. Nobel Laureate Rabindranath Tagore composed a short but evocative poem – ‘Lamp of the East’ – in 1929 about Korea’s glorious past and its promising bright future. He wrote: “In the golden age of Asia Korea was one of its lamp bearers, And that lamp is waiting to be lit once again For the illumination of the East.”

India played an important and positive role in Korean affairs after Korea’s independence in 1945. Mr K P S Menon of India was the Chairman of the 9-member UN Commission set up in 1947 to hold elections in Korea. The successful general elections held for the first time in the South in 1948, led to the establishment of the Republic of Korea on 15 August 1948.

In recent years, India – Republic of Korea (RoK) relations have made great strides and have become truly multidimensional, spurred by a significant convergence of interests, mutual goodwill and high level exchanges. In 2015, the relationship between both the countries were upgraded to “Special Strategic Partnership”. The areas of cooperation between the two countries span areas as diverse as Trade, Commerce, Defence, Science & Technology, Culture, People-to-People exchanges etc.

 The relationship witnessed new momentum following the inauguration of President Moon Jae–in’s administration in May 2017. In the last one year, both countries had three VVIP visits. President Moon Jae-in and First Lady Kim Jung–sook visited India in 2018. Prime Minister Narendra Modi visited ROK in February 2019. The two countries are exploring areas of further collaboration under the synergistic frameworks of ROK’s ‘New Southern Policy’ and India’s Act East Policy.

• Text : Based on the information received from Ministry of External Affairs, Government of India.
*Source : https://www.istampgallery.com/india-republic-of-korea-joint-issue/

India - I.N.S DELHI

 Issued by Army postal service on 30 June 1978
Acquired the beautiful cover with the Brochure.

INS Delhi was a Leander-class light cruiser built for the Royal Navy in 1933 as HMS Achilles, and commissioned into the New Zealand Division of the Royal Navy (from 1941 the Royal New Zealand Navy) in 1937 as HMNZS Achilles. She was returned to the Royal Navy at the end of the Second World War and in 1948 was sold to the Royal Indian Navy to be recommissioned as HMIS Delhi. In 1950 she was renamed INS Delhi and remained in service until decommissioned at Bombay on 30 June 1978.

By Allan C. Green - This image is available from the Our Collections of the State Library of Victoria under the Accession Number:, Public Domain, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=10812391

The ship was commissioned into the Royal Indian Navy as HMIS Delhi on 5 July 1948 under the command of Captain H. N. S. Brown of the Royal Navy.Captain Brown was also serving as Commodore Commanding Indian Naval Squadron (COMINS). She had 17 British officers and petty officers, the rest of the crew being Indian. Commander Ram Dass Katari was her executive officer and the senior-most Indian officer, while Lieutenant Sardarilal Mathradas Nanda was her first lieutenant. HMIS Delhi arrived at Bombay on 16 September 1948.She conducted her first major goodwill cruise in 1948, to East Africa, the Seychelles, and Mauritius.
After India became a Republic in January 1950, she was renamed INS Delhi. In June 1950, Commander Adhar Kumar Chatterji (later Chief of the Naval Staff) became her first Indian commanding officer; the same month she conveyed Prime Minister Jawaharlal Nehru to Indonesia on an official visit. In 1951 her first lieutenant was JB Simmons and she sailed to Africa and Madagascar, showing the flag for the first time since Independence. In 1953 she took part in the Fleet Review to celebrate the Coronation of Queen Elizabeth II.
In 1956, she played herself, as Achilles, in the film Battle of the River Plate. In 1958 she was moved to a training role.
Portuguese-Indian War

On 18 December 1961, during the annexation of the Portuguese State of India, also known as "Operation Vijay" or the Portuguese-Indian War, in which the state of Goa and its dependencies of Daman and Diu were annexed, Delhi was tasked to patrol the waters off Diu.[6] At dawn, the ship was spotted by the Portuguese defenders, but they did not recognize its hoisted battle flag. The Portuguese land based artillery did not open fire considering it might be a cargo vessel. Indian Navy reports state that Delhi supported the Indian Army's advance by firing on the citadel, and neutralizing the airport control tower. The detailed Portuguese reports on the invasion do not mention fire from the main 6-inch (150 mm) guns of the Indian cruiser,though a possible cause of the discrepancy is that the source of the fire from the ageing cruiser may not have been identified, due to the Indian Army firing from the landward side. Alternatively, the cruiser's shells may have fallen short of the citadel.
The only documented event of naval action between India and Portugal in Portuguese reports in the Diu region, was the sinking of the Portuguese patrol boat NRP Vega by Indian Air Force aircraft, after Vega opened fire on them with its sole Oerlikon 20 mm cannon. After the sinking of Vega the crew was taken prisoner-of-war on the shore.
Visit to New Zealand
In 1969, Delhi visited New Zealand under Vice Admiral Barbosa. The visit was the occasion of many reunions of Achilles veterans who were plied with large quantities of rum and beer, and taken on a quick trip by the ship.
Decommissioning
Delhi was decommissioned at Bombay in 1978. Subsequently, one of her gun turrets was sent to New Zealand, where it is preserved. A second turret, or gun, is reported to be preserved at the Regiment of Artillery Museum Nashik. The precise fate of the third turret is unknown, but a persistent rumour holds that it was officially recorded as "eaten by white ants". The remainder of the ship was scrapped. The main mast serves as the quarterdeck through which cadets from the National Defence Academy of India pass out.

Egypt 2019- Coast Guard - COMMEMORATIVE SET OF STAMPS “100 YEARS HELLENIC COAST GUARD”

COMMEMORATIVE SET OF STAMPS “100 YEARS HELLENIC COAST GUARD”

This year, the Hellenic Coast Guard completes 100 years of history. Ever since its foundation, the Hellenic Coast Guard is the body which the Hellenic State has entrusted with controlling and safeguarding our homeland’s coasts, protecting human life at sea and supporting the Hellenic Merchant Shipping and Greek Seamen.

The Hellenic Coast Guard's duties are exercised in its maritime space, ships and all kinds of floating construction, ports, port zones, as well as shoreline and coastline, as specified in particular by the applicable provisions.

The Hellenic Coast Guards’ mission comprises in particular: a) proper care in order to ensure public order, b) proper care seeing in order to prevent and fight crime, c) setting terms and ensuring safe navigation conditions, maritime safety and safe management of ships and port facilities, d) search and rescue at sea, e) proper care in order to protect the maritime environment, f) measures for monitoring, policing and controlling maritime borders, which constitute the European Union’s external borders, g) supporting the Hellenic Merchant Shipping, h) providing support for issues related to the working terms and conditions on the ships and seamen’s training.

The Hellenic Coast Guard’s contribution over time is uncontested and acknowledged by society, while its executives stand out for their high professionalism while exercising their duties.

CATEGORY	DESIGN	QUANTITIES
0,20 €	Hellenic Coast Guard's Air & Sea Means	1.000.000
20gr Domestic Mail	Hellenic Coast Guard's Emblem	2.000.000
0,90 €	“100 Years of Hellenic Coast Guard” Logo	2.000.000
20gr International Registered Mail	Hellenic Coast Guard’s Patrol Boat	1.000.000

DIMENSIONS                 : 35 X 45 mm in sheets of 25

DESIGN                         : Eleni Apostolou

PRINTING METHOD       : Multicolored (OFFSET)

PRINTERS                     : «VERIDOS MATSOUKIS S.A. SECURITY PRINTING»

Source : Link

Commissioning of INS Talwar 18 June 2003

INS Talwar (F40) (translated as "Sword") is the lead ship of the Talwar-class frigates of the Indian Navy. Its name means "Sword" in Hindi (see Talwar). She was built in Russia, and commissioned into the Indian Navy on 18 June 2003.

Talwar is a multirole frigate and true to her name, has participated in various operations and exercises since her commissioning, including anti-piracy operations off the coast of Somalia.

Talwar is the lead ship of her class of frigates. The Talwar-class guided missile frigates are modified Krivak III-class frigates built by Russia. Much of the equipment on the ship is Russian-made, but a significant number of systems of Indian origin have also been incorporated.

Talwar was built by the Baltiyskiy shipyard. She was launched in May 2000. Delivery to the Indian Navy was scheduled for May 2002 after running, state and acceptance trials. Sea trials were completed in the Baltic Sea on 29 May 2002. The ship was commissioned formally into the Indian Navy on 18 June 2003 by (later Vice Admiral) Satish Soni. INS Talwar arrived home at Mumbai's Naval Dockyard on 12 August 2003, after a long journey from St. Petersburg.

NS Talwar has been deployed around the Indian Ocean, making friendly visits at various ports. She has also participated in various exercises including Malabar 2008 with the United States Navy, and with the French Navy.

The ship is affiliated with the 16th Cavalry of the Indian Army and continues to be a frontline warship of the Indian Navy's Western Fleet

Emblem

Above is the cover which was released on occasion of the commissioning of INS Talwar on 18 June 2003

This cover was issued by the Army Postal Service 2003

Source : Wikipedia

First Day Cover 04 Dec. '05 Builder's Navy.(FDC-2005)

The existence of an ancient sea-faring, shipbuilding and repair tradition in India can be traced back to around 2300 BC. It is believed that the first tidal dock of the world was built at Lothal during the Harappan Civilization, near the present day Mangrole harbor on the Gujarat coast. The Rig Veda mentions Varuna, who has knowledge of the ocean routes. It describes naval expeditions, which used hundred-oared ships to subdue other kingdoms. The Atharva Veda also mentions boats, which were spacious, well constructed and comfortable.

Even in the pre independence India, Indian shipbuilders continued to hold their own well into the nineteenth century. Many Indian built ships were inducted into the HMS Hindostan in 1795, the frigate Cornwallis in 1800, HMS Camel in 1806 and HMS Ceylon in 1808. Another landmark was the construction of the Bombay Dock>, which was completed in 1735 and is in use even today in the Naval Dockyard at Fort Mumbai

The Navy of independent India made a modest beginning with half a dozen destroyers and frigates, a few mine sweepers along with a corvette and a survey vessel inherited from the Royal Indian Navy. The creation of a Corps of Naval Constructors in 1954, setting up of a Central Design Office (CDO) in 1964 and the decision to construct Leander class frigates under license at Mazagaon Dock Ltd. in early sixties marked the early steps of modern warship building in the country. The Directorate of Naval Ship Design, established in 1970, followed by Directorates of Ship Production and Submarine Design has metamorphosed into the controllerate of Warships Production and Acquisitions at Naval Headquarters. The Indian Navy’s resolute pursuit of indigenous design efforts, combined with the relentless endeavors of our shipyards in construction of warships and submarines have laid the foundation of what is proudly termed a Builder’s Navy

From a modest beginning of designing small vessels such as Ocean Going Tugs,Landing Craft Utility, Seaward Defense Boats and Survey Crafts, the naval designers graduated to designing of Landing Ship Tank, Sandhayak class Survey Vessels and Training ship (INS Tir) productionised by the three defense PSUs, Mazagaon Docks Ltd., Garden Reach Shipbuilders and Engineers and Goa Shipyard. In the mid eighties, designing of missile corvettes,Delhi class Missile Destroyers and Brahmaputra class Missile frigates posed many challenges, which were all successfully overcome. The production of two German type 209 submarines in MDL under license between 1984 and 1994 was another hallmark achievement. The Navy is presently engaged in the design and production of the modern Shivalik class multi-purpose Frigates incorporating latest design concepts and stealth features.

Along with indigenous ship building efforts, development of indigenous machinery, equipment, systems, weapons and materials has also been progressed. Initially, this was done by establishing collaborations between foreign manufacturers and Indian companies and subsequently developing our own vendor base, involving both public and private industries. These efforts have resulted in increasing the indigenous content of our warships and submarines to over 70%.

Based on Brochure material given by the Indian Post 

India- President's Fleet review ,Vishakhapatnam and Indian Coast Guard Stamp on Cover

Recently acquired the India- President's Fleet review ,Vishakhapatnam and Indian Coast Guard Stamp  on Cover with Guwahati cancellation.

India- President's Fleet review ,Vishakhapatnam released on 12 Feb 2006 

A Naval Fleet Review is a long-standing tradition followed by Navies across the Globe. It is a grand occasion when every operational ship is spruced up, proudly displaying its crest/emblem and its company (officers and crew) in a spirit of loyalty and allegiance to its Sovereign and the State/Nation.

The concept of a Review of naval ships was conceived as a show of naval might or an inspection of readiness for battle at sea.

Presently, the Fleet Review has transformed into more of a “symbolic sail past” where warships are assembled without any belligerent intentions. Sometimes, such Reviews are conducted as a “celebratory demonstration” for victories achieved in battle or for a coronation of a monarch or on the occasion of visits by important State Guests.

On many occasions, ships have sailed across the seas to participate in Fleet Reviews of friendly nations. When this happens, the assembly of ships undergoes an “International Fleet Review (IFR)”.

Indian Naval tradition dates back to Vedic times, but there are few instances of records of Fleet Reviews over the ages:

India has a naval tradition dating back to Vedic times, although records of Fleet Reviews are found few and far between.

Indian Coast Guard : India Post released a set of 4 stamps in the denomination of Rs 5 each and a miniature sheet on August 12, 2008 to mark 30 years of Indian Coast Guard. The stamps depict the Dornier Fixed Wing Aircraft, Advanced Light Helicopter, Hovercraft, and Advanced Offshore Patrol Vessel. The five Sheetlets have also been issued. The Indian Coast Guard is the fourth armed force service created to guard India's vast coastline on August 18, 1978. The coast guard works closely with the Indian navy and the Indian Customs Department, and is usually headed by a naval officer of the rank of Vice-Admiral. India's coast guard has a large number of fast craft including hovercrafts and hydrofoils. They patrol the seas and river mouths. The coast guard has performed a number of commendable tasks of rescuing distressed personnel. It has also apprehended pirates on high seas and cleaned up oil spills. Heavy patrolling of sensitive areas such as Gujarat, West Bengal and Mumbai have resulted in catching a large number of smugglers and illegal immigrants.