In 1937 the Danube Steam Navigation Company celebrated its centenary and the Austrian Post Office issued three commemorative stamps for this event, each showing one of the company's steamers. The 12gr. stamp features the pioneer of the fleet, a most unusual looking vessel, the Maria Anna. She was built on the wharf of the company at Aithofen, Budapest and on September 13, 1837 entered the Danube Canal under the command of Capt. Rau, after which she began her maiden voyage to Vienna from Linz. On one of her later voyages the bride of Emperor Franz Joseph I, the Bavarian Princess Elizabeth, was a passenger in the vessel from Linz to Vienna.
During 1844 the ship's wooden hull was replaced by an iron one and a new boiler installed. Horsepower was increased from 60 to 76 and she was put in service between Vienna and Budapest. A new engine of 100 h.p. was installed in 1886 and the ship continued in service until 1898 when she was scrapped. Her dimensions were: Length 45 metres, breadth 6.7 metres, depth 2.7 metres draft 0.87 metres.
SG805.
Sea Breezes 10/60