Faroe Islands 2016 The Wreck of the Westerbeek, 1742
From Stamps of the World
- Issue date : 22nd February 2016
- two values and a miniature sheet
- Designed by : Anker Eli Petersen
- Printed by : Joh. Enschedé Security Printing, Netherlands
- Print process : lithography, in sheets of 20
- stamp format height 45.00mm x width 30.25mm. Miniature sheet format height 70mm x width 100mm
- Perforations : 13.75 x 13.25
Contents
The Wreck of the Westerbeek (Dutch East Indiaman), in 1742
17kr ~ the Westerbeek (a Dutch East Indiaman which was sailing from Ceylon via Cape Town to Europe), and a small casket made of tortoiseshell (recovered from a beach)
19kr ~ the Westerbeek is wrecked on the cliffs near Lopra on the island of Suðuroy, Faroe Islands, and carved wooden board, probably from the stern of the Westerbeek, and showing ship's emblem, used as an ironing board by Faroese women
- Notes: the three-masted Westerbeek (650tons) was built 1722 in Amsterdam. It lost its bearings, losing the use of navigational instruments in a thick Atlantic fog, coupled with high winds. 81 of the 91 crew escaped the wreck
