Dutch shipping stamps

On this page I give an overview of the Dutch stamps showing ships. This is just a start, there are several more stamps and I will add more whenever I have time.

1924:

NVPH 139, SG 294, Mi 141, Y 157	Series issued at the occasion of 100 years lifeboat institution. Ships in a gale at sea.
NVPH 140, SG 295, Mi 142, Y 158	Lifeboat ready for launching.

1932:

NVPH 237, SG 395b, Mi 266, Y 258
Ship in background is Baloeran, in front Christiaan Huygens.

Baloeran:
Passenger liner built 1929 by Fijenoord, Rotterdam for the Koninklijke Rotterdamse Lloyd 169816 t. 10062 Net L 551''p B 70.4', Dr 41.6'. 2 Schelde-Sulzer diesels, 3115 nhp, 2 screws. Passengers: 236 1st, 253 2nd, 30 3rd, 68 4th, also 27 convertable 1st or 2nd. Sailed between the Netherlands and the Dutch East Indies (Java). During invasion of Holland (11 May 1941) captured by the Germans, fitted out as hospital ship, renamed Strassburg. 31 August 1943, on her way from Rotterdam to Hamburg, struck a floating mine off IJmuiden (the Netherlands) and was beached. Probably further destroyed by British MTB's to prevent salvage by the Germans. According to a discontinued diving site her wreck is at 52.32.63 N 04.32.35 E wreck no. 2194. Incorrect name (Balorean) in SG Ships on Stamps 2001 and Michel catalog, Sistership: Dempo, built by De Schelde, Vlissingen, The Netherlands. Torpedoed 17 March 1944 near Algiers during the allied invasion of Nort Africa.

Christiaan Huygens:
Built 1927 at Nederlandse Scheepsbouw Mij, Amsterdam for Stoomvaart Mij Nederland. 15704 GT, 9319 Nt. L 551'4",B 68'8", Dr 36'8" Sulzer diesels 2490nhp, built at Winterthur, 16,5 kn. Struck a mine in the North Sea 27 August 1945, beached on Zuid Steenbank.

1933:

NVPH 258, SG 414, Mi 263, Y 255

HKS De Hoop:
Dutch hospital ship built 1912 Scheepswerf Conrad, Haarlem for Netherlands Seamen Soc (Ned. Ver. Ten Behoeve Van Zeelieden Van Elke Nationaliteit). 77 Nt, L 105'7", B 21'3", Dr10'2". Small emergency paraffin engine. Converted 1939 to motor ship with 200 hp Kromhout diesel. Addition of a funnel altered her appearence. During 42 year life 12,023 fishermen were provided with medical attention and welfare facilities, including chapel services (HKS=hospitaal kerk schip, hospital church ship). WW2 Germans used her as Red Cross ship on river Scheldt. Recaptured, returned to her owners by Royal Netherlands Navy. Sold 22 Sept 1955 to Mr Rasmus Rasmussen, Norway, rebuilt as fishing vessel renamed Kvernes. Damaged by fire. Sold to shipbreakers Aug. 1959.

NVPH 259, SG 415, Mi 264, Y 256

Lifeboat

1944:

NVPH 429, SG 596, Mi 429, Y 430.

Nieuw Amsterdam
The passenger liner Nieuw Amsterdam of the Holland America Line was built in 1938 at the Rotterdamse Droogdok Mij, Rotterdam. Dimensions: 36,300 t, LBP 670, Bm 88, 2 f/2 m, passengers: 553 1st class, 443 2nd classe, 207 tourist. Steam turbine, 2 screws, 20.5 knots. Line Rotterdam-New York, troop ship during World War II, made cruises from Florida since 1971, scrapped 1974.
See also the stamp of 1957.

NVPH 431, SG 598/Mi 431, Y 432.

Hr Ms De Ruyter
Dutch cruiser. Built in 1936 at Wilton-Fijenoord at Rotterdam. Keel laid November 1933, commissioned October 1936. Dimensions: 6450 tons (7548 full load), length 557'9", beam 51'3", draught 19'3". 2 Parsons turbines, 6 Yarrow boilers, 66000 shp, 2 screws, 32 kn. Armament: seven 5.9" (50 cal), ten 40 mm AA guns, eight 12.7 mm AA guns. 2 Aircraft, Complement 435. (info from Ship Stamp Encyclopaedia/Jane's fighting ships of WW II).
On the stamp the De Ruyter carries three signal flags. The meaning of the flags is: S62, or: "Simultaneously change course to starboard 62°".

The De Ruyter was the flagship of rear admiral Karel W.F. Doorman, Com of Fleet, South Pacific. He spoke (or signalled to his fleet) the historic words "I attack - follow me" before engaging combat with the Japanese fleet in the Battle of the Java Sea. In this battle, the De Ruyter was t orpedoed by the Japanese heavy cruisers Haguro and Nachi and sunk in the night of 27-28 February 1943 with the loss of over 300 men. 11 Other allied ships were lost in the same battle.

2 May 1950:

NVPH 555, SG 718, M 557, Y 540

Overijssel:
Canal freighter built by Hoebee, Dordrecht, for Van der Schuyt, Rotterdam. L 104', B21', Dr 6'. Diesel engine, 14.5 kn.

13 May 1957:

NVPH 688, SG 843, M 692, Y 666

Gaasterland:
Freighter built 1950, A. Vuijk & Zn, Capelle a/d IJssel, the Netherlands, for Royal Dutch Lloyd, Amsterdam, the Netherlands, 4375 GT, 2424 Nt, B 58'2",Dr 22'5", Sulzer Diesel S/A. 7 cyl. 4500 shp, 15 kn, Crew 44, 4 pass. 1 deck/shelter deck. One of 3 built to replace war losses. Sold 1975 to Bravo Alex Shipping Corp. Greece renamed Bravo Alex.

NVPH 689, SG 844, M 693, Y 667

Coaster (fantasy picture).

NVPH 690, SG 845, M 694, Y 668

Willem Barendsz:
Whale factory ship, built 1955 by Wilton-Fijenoord, Schiedam, the Netherlands, for the Nederlandse Maatschappij voor de Walvisvaart, Amsterdam, the Netherlands. 26830 Gt, 15090 Nt, L 677'6", B 90'6", Dr 35'2, "2 diesels 6 cyl. 10500 bhp, 2 screws, 14 kn. Worlds largest whale factory ship when built. Sold 1967 to William Barendsz Beperk, South Africa and converted to fish meal factory (23155 Gt). Sold 1973 to to Korea Won Yang Fisheries Co. South Korea, renamed Yu Shin. 1978 name changed to Gae Cheog Ho No. 2. 1980 became Gae Cheog.

Note: This is the second Willem Barendsz. The first one was the former Swedish tanker Pan Gothia (1931, Gotaverke Gotenborg, yard no 459) purchased by the company in 1945 and converted to whale factory ship by the ADM. With the purchase of the new Willem Barendsz renamed to Bloemendael. In 1960 sold to Japan and renamed Nitti Maru. In 1964 Nichei Maru. 29-6-1966 broken up in Japan.

NVPH 691, SG 846, M 695, Y 669

Curaçao:
Trawler, built 1956 by De Dageraad, Woubrugge, the Netherlands for NV Viss Maatschappij Batavia, IJmuiden, the Netherlands, 263 Gt, 131 Nt, L 132'8", 8 cyl diesel 600 shp, 10 kn. Fish cap 125 t. Sold 1959 to Soc. De Pêche et de Congelation, St Pierre & Miquelon, renamed Savoyard II.

NVPH 692, SG 847, M 696, Y 670

Nieuw Amsterdam See the 1944 stamp no. NVPH 429. Stamp shown on a maximum card.

2 July 1957:

NVPH 693, SG 848, M 697, Y 671

Admiral M.A. de Ruyter
Michiel Adriaenszoon de Ruyter (1607-1676) became admiral of the Dutch fleet in 1665. He fought in the "Vierdaagse Zeeslag" (1666), at Chatham (1667), Solebay (1672), Schoneveld (1673) and Kijkduin (1672). Died in a battle against the French in the Mediterranean. His grave is in the Nieuwe Kerk (New Church) in Amsterdam. His statue, shown on a Dutch stamp of 1976 (NVPH 1089), is in Vlissingen, where he was born.

NVPH 694, SG 849, M 698, Y 672

De Zeven Provinciën
Built in 1665 in Delfshaven. L 163', B 43', Dr 16'62. Arm twelve 36 pdr, sixteen 24 pdr, fourteen 18 pdr, twelve 12 pdr, twenty six 6 pdr guns. Crew 475 incl. 50 soldiers. Named after the seven provinces of Holland. Broken up 1694. She is also shown on a Dutch stamp of 1973 (NVPH 1026).

19 August 1957:

NVPH 696, SG 851, M 700, Y 674

J. Henry Dunant
Hospital ship. Built 1959 Scheepswerven H.H. Bodewes, Millingen, the Netherlands, for the Dutch Red Cross Soc. L 64.74 m, B 7.99 m, two oil engines, 2 screws, 10.5 kn. 2 rudders at stern, 1 bow. Carried motorboat for transport, towing and use as ambulance. Four wards with 70 beds, could be increased to 100 if required.

Photo Dutch Red Cross
7 June 1957 building contract signed, 10 October 1958 keel layed, 14 March 1959 launched, 1 juni 1959 first trip. Was in service until 1973. At present the third ship with the name J. Henry Dunant is in use.
Note: Michel identifies the ship as Kasteel Staverden. That ship was hired by the Red Cross from the Holland-Veluwe-line since 1953, but is not the ship shown on the stamp.

10 April 1973:

NVPH 1026, SG 1167, M 1007, Y 978

De Zeven Provinciën
Built 1666. See also the stamps of 1957

NVPH 1027, SG 1177, M 1008, Y 979

W.A. Scholten
Passenger liner built 1874 by R. Napier and sons, Glasgow for Holland-America Line. Launch 16 feb 1874. 2529 Gt, 1720 Nt, L 351' pp, B 38'2", Dr 19'4". 3 masts. Compound engine 260 nhp, 10 kn. 50 saloon and 600 steerage passengers. Iron hull. One of the first ships of this line. Service Rotterdam-New York. Sunk in collision with Rosa Mary in dense fog 5 miles SE of Dover 19 Nov 1887 with loss of 132 lives.

NVPH 1028, SG 1178, M 1009, Y 980

Veendam
Liner built 1923 Harland & Wolff, Glasgow, for Holland-America Line. 15450 Gt, L 550', B 67', DP 41', Dr 32.5'. Four steam turbines, single reduction geared to 2 shafts. Second of the name. Maiden voyage from Rotterdam on April 18 1923 for Boulonge, Plymouth, New York. Seized by the Germans in 1940, used as floating hotel for submarine officers at Gdynia and Hamburg. In 1946 taken to Rotterdam for reconditioning. Resumed her Rotterdam-New york service January 1947. Last voyage October 1953. Sold to Bethlehem Steel Corp. Baltimore for scrapping.

NVPH 1029, SG 1179, M 1010, Y 981

Waterschip or Zuiderzee fishing boat

30 July 1974:

NVPH 1054, SG 1195, M 1034, Y 1005

150 years of life saving.
Suzanna.
Self-righting lifeboat. Built 1968 by Gebr. Niestern, Delfzijl for Royal Dutch Lifeboat Society (KNZHRM). Launch 30 October 1968 53 tn, L 20.37 m, B 4.15 m, Dr 1.42 m. Two Kromhout diesels, 8 cyl. 140 hp, 2 screws, 10.5 kn. Steel hull, aluminium superst. Comm. 17 December 1968.
The KNZHRM had 5 lifeboats of this type:

Bernard van Leer, 1965-1997, Scheveningen.
Johanna Louisa, 1968, IJmuiden.
Suzanna, 1968-1997, Den Helder. Sold to Iceland. The lifeboat has been in service as Gunnbjörg at Raufarhöfn, later as Vörður II (station Patreksfjörður). In June 2008 the boat was returned to the Netherlands.
Carlot, 1960-1999, Terschelling
Gebrs. Luden, 1965-1996, Lauwersoog. 1997 Sold to Iceland as "HAFBJÖRG" , 2006 back to Lauwersoog, the Netherlands, Stichting Behoud Gebroeders Luden is trying to keep the ship in its original state. (see Stichting Behoud Gebroeders Luden (in Dutch).
See also the stamp issued in 1999.

22 April 1976

NVPH 1089, M 1074, Y 1040

M.A. de Ruyter
His statue in Vlissingen. See also stamp NVPH 693.

19 April 1977

NVPH 1135, SG 1271, M 1099,Y 1070

Roman ship of Zwammerdam
Shows the remains of a Roman ship found in 1971 near Zwammerdam, the site of the roman castellum Nigrum Pullum. The river Rhine was the northern border of the Roman Empire. Not the current river, but an old stream running some 30 km to the North, through the city of Leiden. Not less than six ships were found in the former harbour of the castellum. Also a shipyard was found, with tools like axes, hammers etc. Judging on its construction, the ship shown probably was a ferry, 20.30 m x 3.40 m. Bow and stern were almost identical: slowly rising, and almost as broad as amidships. The construction was very strong, with interlocking pieces of wood to withstand the strain during loading and unloading. The ship had grooves over the whole length at the inner sides of the hull planks, just below the deck. Probably ropes or belts ran through these grooves, used to pull the boat to the other side of the river. The ropes were kept in place by the ribs and led in and out the boat through guiding rings.
The steering oar on the stamp probably belonged to a Rhine barge, 34 m x 4.40 m x 1.20 m high. The presence of stone fragments indicated that this ship too was used for the transport of building materials. The ship was dated in the first half of the second century.
Another Roman ship found in the neighbourhood is being conserved and researched now at the NISA at Lelystad. Information can be found at www.archeos.nl/romeinsschip/.

26 August 1980:

NVPH 1206, SG 1344, M 1166, Y 1173

Alrina
Motorized canal barge, built as iron sailing ship Armand in 1889 by J&K Smit, Kinderdijk for G. van der Wielen, Druten. As built had 2 masts, 2 leeboards, later removed. From launch served as towed vessel. 503.5 tn, L 172', B 27', Dr 6'6". Sold 1909 to J.C.T.G. Hompus and in 1937 to his son P.J. Hompus. Rebuilt 1946 as single screw motor barge. MAN diesel. Tonnage reduced to 481.6. Oct 1955 Deutz diesel 310 hp fitted. Bought in 1970 by A.Korssten, renamed Alrina. Overhauled 1971, new tonnage 515. General cargo include cattle food, fertilizers, gravel, coal.

11 April 1989:

NVPH 1424, SG 1552, M 1361

Boeier (type).
Dutch pleasure yacht with leeboards, mainly used on the shallow lakes in Friesland.

NVPH 1425, SG 1553, M 1362

Botter (type).
Sailing fishing boat used on the Zuiderzee (now IJsselmeer). See also the stamp of the botter yard issued in 2002 and the Enkhuizen stamp of 2006.

NVPH 1426, SG 1554, M 1363

Klipper (type).
Iron sailing barge.

6 June 1995:

NVPH 1648, SG 1768, M 1548, Y 1512

Sail Amsterdam 1995
Sedov, Russia, 1921, L 100,22 Beam 14,63 Draft 8,22 GRT 3476 NRT 3017,
Built of steel by Krupp Germania Werft, Kiel for F.A. Vinnen & Co., Bremen. She was given the name Magdalene Vinnen and was rigged as a four-masted barque with royals over double topgallant sails. She was equipped with an auxiliary engine.
1936 Sold to Norddeutscher Lloyd, Bremen and renamed the Kommodore Johnsen. She was used as a cargo-carrying training ship on the Australian wheat trade.
1945 Handed over to the Soviet Union as war compensation, and was renamed the Sedov and used as a training ship.
1976 (?) Laid up in Kronstadt
1981 Back in active service.

1 July 1997:

NVPH 1727, SG 1847, M 1623, Y 1596

Children playing with rowboat.

NVPH 1728, SG 1848, M 1624, Y 1597

Skûtsjesile.
Yearly regatta with sailing canal barges (tjalk or skûtsje). All links to skûtsjes on this site.

2 January 1998:

NVPH 1747, SG 1867, M 1642, Y 1615

Wall tiles with ships.

6 May 1999:

NVPH 1822, M 1717, Y 1689

175 years Koninklijke Nederlandse Redding Maatschappij (the Dutch lifeboat institution)

The lifeboat is one of the type shown below, of which the KNRM had 9 boats:

Name	Year	Station (June 2009)
Johannes Frederik	1988	Sold 2006
Prinses Margriet	1990	Stellendam
Jan van Engelenburg	1990	Hansweert
Christien	1993	reserve
Graaf van Bylandt	1996	Vlieland
Jan en Titia Visser	1996	Eemshaven
Dorus Rijkers	1997	reserve
Kapiteins Hazewinkel	1997	Urk
Koningin Beatrix	1984	sold 2009

Dimensions: 14.4 x 5.4 x 0.75 m, engines: 2 x 680 hp, 34 knots, 4 crew, 75 "passengers"

The KNRM has a website at http://www.knrm.nl with pictures and videos of lifeboats etc. (in Dutch)

Note that the ships continue on the adjacent stamps, so that you at least need a pair to get a complete picture....

Here are some other Dutch stamps with lifeboats: