The lc. stamp shows the East India Company's Dragon, which sailed on the company's third voyage under command of Capt. William Keeling on March 12, 1606, her first for the Company.
It was in this ship in 1609 that the captain discovered the islands to which he gave his name, still retained in the modern title Cocos (Keeling) Islands. The stamp designer has shown a typical ship of the period, a 4-masted galleon with square sails on the fore and main, and lateens on the after masts. It will be noticed that she is flying the Union Flag of England and Scotland on the main, introduced in 1606, the year of the ship's first voyage, so it is accurately shown on this commemorative for the discovery. SG20