This stamp shows the flagship of Admiral D'Entrecasteaux, the frigate Esperance, of 500 tons displacement. She was armed with 12 pieces and 12 swivel guns.
In consort with the frigate Recherche she surveyed the New Caledonian coastline in 1791-2. This is the second time this particular portrait of the admiral has been shown on a New Caledonian stamp, but the first time a good likeness of the ship has been seen. SG542