shipstamps.co.uk

The 4c. stamp depicts the scow Lake Erie, built in 1878 by Sept. Meiklejohn, at Omaha. I believe it is the first stamp to show this type of vessel, and according to the New Zealand Post Office it shows the first scow to be built. The Lake Erie introduced a new type of vessel; flat-decked, square-sterned, bluff-bowed, and flat-bottomed — capable of sailing up shallow creeks and remaining on an even keel when aground.
The Lake Erie carried 80 tons cargo of logs and timber. She had a length of 60 ft. 6 in., beam of 17 ft. 3 in., and depth of 8 ft. 4in.The name probably devolved from the Dutch "schouw", a flat-bottomed ferry. SG1069

She was built in 1873 as the first New Zealand scow by Septimus Meiklejohn, at Omaha, New Zealand with the help of Geo. Spencer an American for who she was built.
Tonnage 27 ton, dim. 60.6 x 17.3 x 3.4ft.
Schooner rigged.
She got the name LAKE ERIE, named after the Lake Erie in the U.S.A.

Captain Spencer had seen very similar vessels on the American Great Lakes and had realised the type’s potential for shipping timber from the shallow creeks of the Northland, north of Auckland, to the Auckland market.
She was an ugly looking vessel, flat-bottomed, flat decked, bluff bowed, and a square stern, she did not have a hold the cargo of heavy logs was carried on deck, and loaded with their own gear.
Fitted out with leeboards.
Financial was she a success, and many more scows were built until 1925 when the last was built the ALWYN G later SUCCESS.

She was totally wrecked on 05 June 1879 when she sprung a leak and had to be run ashore when she was under command of Captain Henry Harly. It was blowing very hard at that time, and when beached at Anderson Cove near Bream Tail she was quickly destroyed by the huge breakers. The crew was saved.

Sources: New Zealand Shipwrecks. Phantom Fleet the scows and scowmen of Auckland by Ted Ashby.