The $1 stamp shows the Proclamation of the Protectorate of the British Solomon Islands, with officers and men of H.M.S. Curacoa performing the duty of hoisting the British flag in 1892. This 3rd class cruiser was built at Glasgow and launched in 1878, her engines being built by Humphrys. Displacement is given as 2,380 tons, and indicated h.p.2,000. Dimensions were: length 225 ft., beam 44 ft., draft 19 ft. 3 ins. Armament comprised four 6-in., eight 5 in., one 3-pdr. quick firer, nine machine guns and two light guns. She also carried two launching carriages for fish torpedo discharges. Her speed was 13 knots, her cruising range being 3,280 miles at 10 knots speed. She was a single-screw vessel.
SG165 Sea Breezes 8/68