The L’ORESTE is seen on this stamp on the road of St Helena in 1840 she is the vessel depict on the right in the stamp.
Built at Brest for the French Navy as a wooden brig.
20 May 1830 laid down as Le JEAN DE VIENNE.
03 August 1831 renamed in L’ORESTE.
04 May 1833 launched as L’ORESTE one of the Cygne class.
Tonnage 548 ton. Dim. 34.15 x 9.20 x 4.44m.
Armament 18 – 24 pdr., 2 – 18 or 12 pdr.
Crew 113.
13 July 1834 commissioned.
27 November 1838 took she part in the Battle of San Juan d’Ulua at Vera Cruz, Mexico. In this battle the first explosive shells were used.
20 April 1857 decommissioned.
Till 1875 was she used as a ship’s boy school at Marseilles, where after she was broken up.
In the background on the stamp are two French merchant ships seen, the La BONNE-AIMEE (second on the left) under command of Captain Gallet and L’INDIEN (fourth from the left) under command of Captain Truquetit. Have not any information on this two merchant ships.
St Helena 1990 20p sg583, scott546
Source: Watercraft Philately. http://www.shipscribe.com/marvap/index.html