Supply Ships…

 

Date of Issue : 31 August 2011

Pitcairn Islands Post issued  a set of four stamps on 31 August 2011 featuring supply Ships.The supply ships are a part of Pitcairn’s history and the Pitcairners have much to be thankful for with the service provided by the Southern Salvor; Claymore II; Braveheart; Taporo VIII and all their crews, for whom this issue is dedicated.

Pitcairn’s remoteness means it is dependent on small supply ships to provide a lifeline to the community. Since the withdrawal of the Blue Star Line in 2003, the residents have relied on the smaller vessels that ply their way from Mangareva in French Polynesia, some 500 km away.

Loading and unloading can be a difficult business. Depending on the weather and sea conditions, the decision is made which side of the Island to carry out this tricky operation involving all hands and a good understanding between winch operators and the longboat crews. Sometimes the weather and sea conditions win out, with some items not able to be landed.

My Recent Cover

Thanks to Andrzej, Poland for this nice cover with Europa 2011 stamp and special cancellation of  Zubr - European bison.

 

Club News

Mr Mahesh Reddiar fom Kerala has created a new website on Indian Philately . It also features Stamp Quiz and newsletter Thapal News. See links below :

It can be viewed at :  www.PhilaIndia.info

Monthly Stamp Quiz - www.philaindia.info/quiz.html
New Letter - Thapal News - www.PhilaIndia.info/news.html

Rare birds featured on new Pitcarin Island stamps…

 

Date of Issue : 20 July 2011

The rare birds featured in this stamp issue are the Henderson crake Porzana atra; the Henderson fruit dove Ptilinopus insularis; the Henderson reed warbler Acrocephalus taiti; the Henderson lorikeet Vini stephani and gives special attention to the Henderson petrel Pterodroma atreta.

It is the plight of the petrel that has captured the attention of the Royal Society for the Protection of Birds and they have initiated the Henderson Island Restoration Project which involves the planned eradication of introduced rats that are driving the Henderson petrel towards extinction. Over 95% of petrel chicks on Henderson are killed by rats within one week of hatching - over 25,000 chicks every year. These rats are also competing with the other land birds and therefore may be limiting their populations.

In August-September 2011, the RSPB operational vessel will be at Henderson, carrying two helicopters that will use GPS technology to methodically drop poison bait across the entire island. This highly targeted, short-term intervention will bring really long-term benefits: the Henderson petrel saved from its slide towards extinction, a large island restored and at least ten further unique species safeguarded for future generations to enjoy. The overall cost of the eradication project is in the region of GBP £1.5 – 1.7m.

I support Anna Hazare

A strong anti-corruption law ( Jan Lokpal Bill) will never get passed unless there is a mass movement. Anna Hazare is fasting for us. We need to mobilize as many Indians as possible into supporting Anna's campaign.

   

Sea Life

Sea life, Ship or Boat are some of the topics which attract a topical collector. Recently a beautiful set of 4 stamps was issued on 24 April 2008 by Pitcairn Islands. The format of the stamp is Setenant strips of 4 vertical stamps with centre tab. Full sheet consists of 6 strips with a gutter. Please go through the Longboat History of Pitcairn Islands.

Pitcairn's Longboat History

Date of issue- 24 April 2008

Pitcairn has always relied on shipping as its lifeline for survival because of its isolation. Everything not produced on Pitcairn arrives by sea and is shipped ashore. In 1819 Captain Henry King donated a boat to the Island and in 1880 Queen Victoria gifted two whaleboats. The longboats of Pitcairn are reputed to be modelled on this whaleboat pattern. Over time the boats have been modified and enlarged but essentially retain the same look.

The Pitcairners built their own boats and up until the 1980s the boats were made of wood. The last boat was made in 1983 and retired in 1995 when it was replaced with a New Zealand made aluminium boat.

Pitcairn currently uses 2 aluminium boats built to the Islanders specifications and named “Tub”, and “Moss”. Each is around 13 metres in length and can carry up to 10 tonnes of cargo at any one time. “Tin” is a smaller third vessel but is rarely used.They are powered by inboard diesel engines and are used primarily to offload supplies from visiting supply ships and to take the locals and their souvenir products to visiting cruise liners and to bring visitors to Bounty Bay. Exiting and entering the harbour at the Landing can be extremely dangerous and requires great skill and experience. In rough seas especially it is crucial that the right time is chosen to enter the harbour.Other uses for the longboats are for fishing and for visiting the islands of Oeno and Henderson.From timber framed vessels to tough aluminium workhorses, the Longboats of the Pitcairn Islands provide that much needed community lifeline.