WORLD DISCOVERY cruise vessel 1989

[aukepalmhof]

One of this stamps depict the cruise liner WORLD DISCOVERY, from the Pitcairn Post comes the following story on the stamps depict in this set.

The woodcarving issues are the first in a series of the Art of Pitcairn stamp issues. The issue is the first Pitcairn issue to be illustrated by Australian artist Glenn Douran.

For perhaps more than 100 years, the Pitcairners have been able to earn a living from carving or weaving curio and selling these as souvenirs to people aboard ships passing the islands.

It is said that Edward Laeffler, an Austrian wood-carver and cabinet maker who lived on Pitcairn in his later life, influenced the style of carving more so than anyone else. Laeffler died on Pitcairn on 10 October 1925 aged 75 years.

Miro (Thespesia populnea) has always been the preferred wood for carving, on Pitcairn. Its heart is a deep red/brown with black streaks, while the sapwood is light and almost white. Miro is common throughout Polynesia and Micronesia. It is fine grained, water-resistant and durable. The flower of the Miro is featured on the 20c stamp.

Toa, Tau or Toe (Cordia subcordata) is the next most popular carving wood. It has fine, dark wavy grain and is found throughout Polynesia, Micronesia and tropical Asia. The 50c stamps show the flower of the Toa.

The light, white wood of the Pulau (Hibiscus tiliaceus) is used to create the sails of the BOUNTY models, one of which is featured on the center panel of the setenant strip. The flower of the Pulau is featured on the $ 1.50.

Although Miro and Toa both grow on Pitcairn, demand initially for housing and later for carvings, has meant that planned re-plantings have been necessary. Miro grows quickly in Pitcairn’s rich volcanic soil, whereas in the sandy soil by the beaches at Henderson Island, its is slower growing and this appears to result in a larger proportion of heart-wood with its rich attractive grain.

Expeditions to Henderson are mounted every two or three years when the Pitcairners take two longboats across 105 miles of ocean to harvest Miro and Toa from the beaches. Because Henderson has no sheltered harbour and its reef is close to the shoreline, it is necessary to anchor the longboats outside and to ‘jump’ the reef using an inflatable or an aluminum dinghy.

Constantly aware of the need to watch the weather the Pitcairners work quickly to gather lengths of wood. Chainsaw engines shatter the normal sound of surf and birds. Each islander marks his wood with his own ‘brand’ for identification later. As dusk gathers, a meal is prepared and eaten and the group falls asleep on the coconut fronds they have cut for beds, beneath a tarpaulin slung between the coconut palms. Each evening a skeleton crew keeps watch aboard the two longboats outside the reef. At day-break work begins again.

The wood is roped together in bundles on the beach and towed across the reef by one of the longboats for the second to retrieve and load aboard. Laden with all they can stow, the Pitcairners head for home without delay, always aware of the threat to safety of taking the heavily loaded longboats through a rough sea, should the weather foul.

The setenant strip tells the “woodcarving story” from the gathering of wood at Henderson Island, through the manufacturing of curio, using both traditional and modern tools, to the finished product taken out to sell aboard a visiting cruise-ship.

Carved sharks usually genuine sharks ‘teeth’ taken from those caught around Pitcairn. The BOINTY model and Pitcairn wheelbarrow featured on the center panel are both popular among tourists as are the longboats models and walking canes to the right.

The shafts of the walking canes are often made from coconut wood while the white band around the cane and yeas of carved fish and birds, are normally made from the wood of the citrus orange tree. The carvings are well detailed and of very high quality ensuring their constant demand world-wide, both by tourists who visit and by mail-order.

The cruise ship shown on the $3.00 is the new WORLD DISCOVERER, due to visit Pitcairn for the first time in April 2002, then again in November.

Built under yard no 304 as a ferry/cruise ship by Rauma-Repola O/Y, Finland for the Delfin Cruises O/Y, Nagu, Finland.
03 February 1989 launched under the name DELFIN CLIPPER.
Tonnage 5.709 gross, 2.016 net, 772dwt., dim. 108.11 x 15.56 x 4.38m. (draught).
Two Wartsila diesels 4.500 kW, speed 17 knots.
Passenger accommodation for 300 passengers in 117 cabins and two suites.
Swedish/Finish Ice Class: 1A.
01 June 1989 delivered to owners

09 June 1989, maiden voyage. Used in the service between Turku and Visby and Stockholm, and she will cruise during the winter months in the Caribbean.
03 December 1990 renamed in SALLY CLIPPER, after she was chartered by the Sally Line Oy, Marieham, Finland.
December 1990 Delfin Cruises got in financially trouble, SALLY CLIPPER transferred or sold to Rauma Repola Marine Oy. Still in charter with the Sally Line.
1992 Laid up at Rauma, Finland.
17 June 1992 chartered by the Baltic Link Ab, Norrkörkoping, renamed in BALTIC CLIPPER.
Used in the service between Norrköping and Riga.
December 1992 chartered by Ocean Trade Chartering, Nassau, Bahamas and renamed DELFIN STAR and registered in the Bahamas.
1996 Sold to Phoenix Maritime Shipping Co., Panama
To gain experience in passenger construction, the Korean Samsung shipyard bought her.
After arrival at Korea stripped down and refitted her in a cruise-ship, renamed DREAM 21.
She was sold 30 October 2001 to the Society Expeditions as a replacement for the lost WORLD DISCOVERY. Owned by Patrician Cruises.
She will be renamed WORLD DISCOVERY (II).
After a refurbishment she has accommodation for 168 passengers in 86 staterooms, all with ocean views.
Crew 90.
August 2003 Sold to Delta Steamship, Nassau, Bahamas.
03 August 2004 renamed in WORLD ADVENTURER, owned by Delta Steamship.
21 March 2005 renamed again in WORLD DISCOVERER and owned by World Adventurer Pte. Ltd. Singapore, managed by the Sembawang Shipyard, Singapore.
October 2007 sold to Silversea Discovery Shipping Nassau, Bahamas.
June 2008 renamed in PRINCE ALBERT II.

http://www.equasis.org gives for 2009: IMO No 8806747, under Bahamas flag. Tonnage given as 6.072 gross. Same owner. Managed by V Ships Leisure SAM, Monte Carlo, Monaco.

May 2011 renamed in SILVER EXPLORER by Silversea Discovery Shipping, Monaco, under Bahamas flaf and registry.
2012 Same name and owners and in service.

Pitcairn Island 2001 $3 sg?, scott?

Source: Pitcairn Island Post website. http://www.faktaomfartyg.se/delfin_clipper_1989.htm