This vessel has not appeared on a stamp, but is included here following an enquiry from one of our readers:-
My name is Matt de la Hey and I live in South Africa. I am currently
writing a book about my grandmothers voyage from the UK to South Africa in
1946.
She travelled aboard a small vessel called the Mersasheen to Freetown. The
passengers had a terrible experience and refused to go any further on board
the said vessel. In Freetown they managed to get the Oranjefontein diverted
to collect them and it was on that ship that she completed the journey.
Detail of Merasheen from Auke Palmhof:-
Built in 1941/42 by H.W. Stone, St John, Newfoundland.
Bought on the stocks by the Royal Navy.
Delivered as the MMS 122, if she then already is named MERASHEEN I could not find.
Tonnage 216 gross, dim. 116 x 26ft.
Powered by two MG diesel engines hp?
She did belong to the Modified Admiralty Class Trawlers (there are some books on this class but not in my possession)
Used as a coastal mine-sweeper.
Converted to a danlayer late 1942
1946 Sold.
Then I found in the Singapore Free Press http://newspapers.nl.sg/digitised/Artic ... .19.3.aspx
Twenty-six modern “merchant-adventurers,” most of whom were women and children landed in Capetown recently woebegone and disillusioned.
They left Falmouth in March after paying £175 for the privilege of sharing-the-work and sharing-the-expenses of the 250 ton motor yacht MERASHEEN on her cruise to the Cape.
They arrived in Capetown in the Dutch liner ORANJEFONTEIN, their journey having cost them more than £300
They left the MERASHEEN behind at Freetown, after they had spent eight hours at sea bailing for their lives.
Another yacht, the CRISTOPHER ERROL, which left England about the same time, is also at Freetown-and also leaking.
The MERASHEEN is owned by Mr. R.J. Hardman, young, red bearded Durban business man.
The 26 “merchant-adventurers” were chosen from among 3,000 applicants.
On arriving at the Cape the MERASHEEN was to be renamed MERCY 1 and was to be the first of 50 yachts to be used to carry food and clothing free of charge to Europe.
One of the “merchant-adventurers” was Mrs. Joyce Rallings of Capetown, who was accompanied by her five-year-old son Bego.
Detail of Oranjefontein can be seen here.
http://www.shipstamps.co.uk/forum/viewt ... f=2&t=8801
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