Boat-ifully seanic
We have today issued eight Special Stamps to pay tribute to the surface ships of the Royal Navy.
Known as the ‘Senior Service’, the Royal Navy is the oldest of Britain’s Armed Forces.
A permanent naval fleet was established by Henry VIII in the early 16th century and was supported by the development of the Royal Dockyards, where the ‘king’s ships’ were built, equipped and maintained.
In the 17th century, the Navy expanded under Charles II and became an independent national entity with the title of ‘Royal Navy,’ a professional officer corps, and dedicated state-owned warships.
By the end of the 18th century, the French Revolutionary Wars followed by the Napoleonic Wars challenged the service as it faced the French, Spanish and Dutch fleets in locations as far away as the Caribbean. A series of victories culminating at Trafalgar (1805) resulted in the Royal Navy gaining dominance of the seas.
By 1860 the rise of the use of iron for cladding ships allowed nations to build ships for specific needs, such as HMS Warrior - Britain’s first ironclad ship, built to counter the armoured French ship La Gloire (1859). As wind gave way to coal and then oil-fired engines, British ships innovated further.
In the early years of the 20th century, tactics changed with the introduction of the powerful dreadnought ships, which with their speed and firepower, made other vessels redundant. The Navy faced extraordinary challenges during both World Wars to protect supply lines and strategic bases, including major initiatives such as the Atlantic convoys and the D-Day landings.
Representing vessels from over 500 years of the Royal Navy’s illustrious history, the stamp set features paintings of:
- The Mary Rose, 1511
- HMS Queen Elizabeth, 2014
- HMS Victory, 1765
- HMS Dreadnought, 1906
- HMS Warrior, 1860
- Sovereign of the Seas, 1637
- HMS King George V, 1939
- and HMS Beagle, 1820.
Despite changing times and technological advances, the purpose of the Royal Navy remains largely unchanged from the days of the Mary Rose to the present day, as represented by HMS Queen Elizabeth. The fleet continues to defend the nation’s shores, secure its vital sea lanes and protect its interests around the world. These stamps celebrate the surface fleet through the ages.
Stamp Strategy Manager, Philip Parker said: ‘Today we are proud to launch our tribute to the “Senior Service”. As an island nation, the Royal Navy’s professionalism and prowess has been instrumental in its history, and we commemorate this with images of key Royal Navy ships spanning 500 years.’
The stamps are available from today - online at www.royalmail.com/royalnavyships and by phone on 03457 641 641 and at 7,000 Post Offices across the UK. A full set of the stamps, available in a presentation pack, will retail at £11.20.
