She was built as a composite screw gunboat on the Pembroke Dockyard for the Royal Navy.
15 March 1889 launched as the HMS MAGPIE one of the Redbreast class.
Displacement 805 tons, dim. 50.29 x 9.45 x 4.19m. (maximum draught)
Powered by one triple expansion steam engine, 1,200 hp, one shaft, speed 13 knots.
Armament 6 – 4 inch QF. 2 – 3pdr guns.
Crew 76.
1896 She carried a signed portrait of Queen Victoria to Tristan da Cunha for presentation to Peter Green (Groen) at that time the Governor of Tristan da Cunha. Mr. Green was a Dutchman from Katwijk and he was one of the survivors from the sealer EMELY OF STONINGTON (on Tristan da Cunha 1971 2 ½p sg154) which had been wrecked on Tristan in 1836.
According to “The Ships of Tristan” compiled by Rozell C. Smith, HMS MAGPIE arrived at Tristan on 18th December 1896.
The stamp depicting the MAGPIE is one of four issued to commemorate the 100th anniversary of the event.
1902 Used as a boom defence vessel.
1915 In service as a gunboat again.
October 1915 depot ship at Southampton.
29 January 1919 paid off, under dockyard control reserve at Hamble.
29 December 1921 sold to Duguid and Stewart.
On Tristan da Cunha 1996 30p sg607, scott589.
Sources: Ships of the Royal Navy Vol. 1 by J.J. Colledge. Log Book Vol. 26 page 174 articke by Mr. Duncan Campbell. Watercraft Philately Vol. 44 page 69.