ROTER LOWE
Posted: Mon Dec 01, 2008 7:33 pm
The RÖTER LOWE (RED LION) also named GÜLDENER LOWE was built in Holland in 1597.
The city council of Konigsberg bought her in 1601 from Holland for the Great Elector of Brandenburg, who renamed her ROTER LOWE.
Tonnage 240 tons. Dim. circa 28 meter long, 8 meter beam
Armament 12 guns on the lower deck and 4 stone throwing guns on the upper deck, two guns aft and 4 culverins.
Crew around 30.
After refitted in a warship she came under command of Capt. Peter Hintze, and used as a vedette-boat (small patrol boat) to patrol the German coast against Swedish attacks, and used as guardship at Pillau, East Prussia.
In use till 1606 as guard ship.
October 1608 she sailed from Pillau loaded with a cargo of timber under command of Capt. Johann Fett and a crew of 13 men for Lisbon, where she was sold.
Not an image or painting exists of the vessel, and a reconstruction sketch was made by R Hoeckel, how she would have been looked, and after this sketch the stamp was designed.
She carried the following flags on the stamp:
On the stern the black-white striped Konigsberg flag, on the main-topmast the same flag with the red Brandenburg eagle and on the top-foremast the Brandenburg flag.
Fate unknown.
Sharjah 1970 5d and 90d sg ?, scott 458 and 477.
Source: Watercraft Philately. Navicula.