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GRACA ARANNA. Hydrographic-lighthouse-Buoy Tender. This is a doubtful identification - Brazil 1970. 20c. SG1314 (LB5/87)

According to Stanley Gibbons’ Collect Ships on Stamps Thematic Catalogue (1993) this ship defined as “Modern Destroyer”. But on internet search for Brasilian Navy active warships, there is no such kind of ship even in the past.

In my opinion, This ship is either “corvette” or “fast patrol boat” and maybe an imaginary ship or a project never realised.

But definetely not an hydrographic lighthouse buoy tender

There is not a GARCA ARANNA in the Brazilian Navy the nearest name is the ALMIRANTE GRACA ARANHA. (given with a H.)See URL below and she is not depict.

http://www.naviosbrasileiros.com.br/ngb/A/A038/A038.htm

When there are lovers to solve a puzzle, below is a URL which gives all the ships of the Brazilian Navy, please let us known if you have found the ship or class. She is depict on a stamp issued in 1970, at that time she was in service or under construction.

http://www.naviosbrasileiros.com.br/ngb/letras2.htm’

From Mr. Peter Crichton I got the following on the ship.

This stamp was tentatively identified as GRACA ARANHA, a Brazilian Naval tender, by E J Hogan in the SSS Logbook Vol 5 - page 87.While in Brazil he tried, unsuccessfully, to obtain photos of the vessel - full name - ALMIRANTE GRACA ARANHA to compare with the stamp. What at first looked like a gun, he believed, was in fact an awning spar.

The ALMIRANTE GRACA ARANHA was built in Brazil in 1976, 6 years after the stamp was issued !

This is, in my opinion, is another example of artistic licence. I can find no ship in the Brazilian Navy for the 1970s that resembles the ship on stamp. Neither the hull or the superstructure look like the ALMIRANTE GRACA ARANHA. I think this name should be removed from the Ships on Stamps directory.

Thanks Capitano.
I’m just started to search for a Portuguese Language Course.