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From Tonga, "The Friendly Islands", (according to the stamp itself, but fast losing the friendship of ship stamp collectors for the number of over-prints that have recently been issued on their stamps at expensive prices), is a set of three official airmail stamps, all depicting the liquefied gas tanker James Cook (ex-Athina). She was built in 1971.Port of registration was Helsffigborg, Sweden. In 1973 she was purchased by the Gaspac Shipping Co., Ltd., and was renamed and registered at Nukualofa, Tonga. Her tonnages are: gross, 1,410; net, 685; deadweight, 1,506. Dimensions: length o.a., 225 ft. 8 in.. beam 37 ft. 9 in.; depth, 19 ft. 8in.; draft 16 ft. 9in. Four tanks. Cargo space: liquid, 55,196 cub.ft. Engine: M.A.N. diesel of 12 cylinders and 1,500 b.h.p. Speed 12 knots.
Ernest Argyle, Sea Breezes February 1974.
This ship features on SG513-517, but this stamp appears to be 80s which is not in the SG catalogue?

James Cook

Tonga, 1974.

Built in 1971 by Scheepswerf ‘Waterhuizen’ N.V. J.Pattje, Waterhuizen, #293 as ATHINA for Red. For. M.I. Athina, Helsingborg.
Liquefied Gas Carrier, Gt:1410, Nt:685, Dw:1530, loa:68,79m. lbpp:62,84m. b:11,51m. d:5,85m. draught:5,12m. 12 cyl. MWM engine:1500 hp. (1103 kW.) 12 kn. 4 horizontal tanks, 1563 m³. IMO.7040982, callsign DZIH.
In ’73 sold to Gaspic Shipping Co., Nukualofa, Tonga, renamed in JAMES COOK, ’87 sold to Ocean Carriers Inc., Manilla, renamed in LPG KABIBE, 2000 sold to Delsan Transport Lines, Manilla, renamed in SUNSHINE III.
(Tonga 1973, 25 and 80 S. T$1,30, StG.O106/8) LR88/89

September 1970 laid down under yard no 293.
28 November 1970 launched as ATHINA.
31 March 1971 completed. IMO 7040982

May 2023 in service, same name and owner.