The vessel depict on Victorias Navales miniature sheet of Peru with the inscription Victoria Naval de la Pedrera must be the Peruvian gunboat AMÉRICA, she is the same as given on an other stamp of Peru.
She was built as a steel hulled tug under yard No232 by Tranmere Bay Development Co., Birkenhead U.K. for the Peruvian Navy.
Third quarter 1904 launched under the name AMÉRICA.
Tonnage 239 grt, 182 net, displacement 240 tons, dim. 40.63 x 6.25 x 1.52m. (draught)
Powered by a steam engine 350hp. coal fired. Speed 14 knots.
1904 Completed.
After arrival in Peru converted in a river gunboat with a armament of ? – 37mm Armstrong guns.
Crew 26.
When border conflicts broke out with the neighbours of Peru before World War I over the international boundaries between the countries, and Columbian forces made a fortress near La Pedrera, on the River Putumayo, a place claimed by Peru, the AMÉRICA under command of Lieutenant Manuel Clavero with three other craft transported the Peruvian troops of Colonel Oscar R. Benavides to La PEDRERA.
In the battle on 11 and 12 July 1911 the Columbian troops were defeated.
Her Armstrong guns were later replaced by Montajas of 40mm and 4 – 20mm guns.
1946 Converted from coal to oil firing.
She was later laid up and used as a floating naval museum by Marina de Guerra del Peru at Estaciòn Naval Teniente Primero “Manuel Clarero”.
2004 The Peruvian Navy built a new pier at the Iquitos Navy Base to accommodate the AMÉRICA, and she was visited in 2007 by Princess Royal Anna.
Also on Peru 1984 400s sg 1598
http://www.elmundo.es/elmundo/2005/06/2 ... 85788.html
Sources: Miramar. International Register of Historic Ships by Brouwer. Some web-sites. Info received from Mr. David Asprey. Ships on stamps CD-Rom A-D