In Polynesian Society Journal of 1965 page 404, I found: and I am sure she is depict on the stamp.
Pre-eminent among the early whaler-traders in the Gilberts (Gilbert and Ellice Islands, now Kiribati) was Captain Ichabod Handy of Fairhaven, Massachusetts, master and principal owner of the barque BELLE, who commenced oil trading at Abaiang in 1849 (year on stamp). In 1855 he went on to pioneer the coconut oil trade in the neighbouring Marshall Islands.
Well known and respected in both Honolulu and Sydney, Captain Handy learnt to speak Gilbertese and maintained excellent personal relations with the islanders. Though he visited most of the group at one time or another, the bulk of the trade was concentrated at Abaiang, where we have picture of him in operation, written by a passenger in the BELLE.
“While we were on the island we saw the Captain buying oil (coconut oil), it was measured in a bucket that measured three and a half gallons for this full he paid one and a quarter pounds of poor tobacco, which cost thirteen cents a lb. making seventeen cents for three and a half gallons of oil for which he will get three dollars and a half.
The trade was clearly worthwhile when oil fetching a dollar a gallon could be obtained for about 5 cents worth of trade goods; and Handy admitted that he could afford to give 50 cents a gallon for the oil and still make a good net return on the deal.
BELLE given as a bark of 320 tons, (not given where and when built) sailed on 10 December 1844 from Fairhaven under command of Capt. Ichabod Handy, she was owned or managed by Edmund Allen at Fairhaven. She sailed on that date to the whaling grounds of the Pacific, returned on 10 September 1852 with on boards 350 barrels sperm-oil. (A long voyage of almost 8 years.)
Sailed out for her second whaling voyage on 7 Jan. 1853 again under command of Capt. Handy for the whaling grounds of Pacific Ocean. Returned on 21 August 1857, with on board 605 brls. sperm-oil, sent already home 387 brls. sperm-oil and 593 brls. coco-oil.
Her last whaling voyage she made under command of Capt. Roswell Brown, sailed on 22 October 1857 from Fairhaven for the Pacific Ocean. Returned 20 May 1862, with on board 1.303 brls. sperm-oil and 6 brls. whale-oil.
After arrival sold in 1862 to parties in Bridgewater, thereafter used as a cargo vessel.
A search on http://www.mysticseaport.org/library/in ... Search.cfm gives many BELLE’s but not one, which fit the bill, so far I can see.
Kiribati 1990 50c sg344, scott558
Source: History of the American Whale Fishery by Alexander Starbuck.
BELLE barque
Re: BELLE barque
I just saw your post here on Ichabod Handy and the barque "Belle". Ichabod Handy was my great great great grandfather. Do you have or do you know where I can get get more information on him? Thanks.