The Post Office has launched new stamps commemorating an expedition to the Arctic which had a Manx flavour.
Captain John Ross reached the magnetic North Pole in 1831, enduring three and a half years trapped by ice.
But it’s his ship which provides the Isle of Man link – the coke-fuelled paddle steamer Victory was the first to be built exclusively for the Liverpool to Douglas route.
She was refitted for the expedition, and today’s Steam Packet company could afford a smile at the local response that provoked.
Jason Roberts reports (audio file attached):
The Victory set out for the pole in 1829 after being fitted with timber reinforcements to cope with the ice, and when she stopped at Douglas, local opinion was that she’d been a much better looking vessel before.
Eventually, she was abandoned in the Arctic Circle after being damaged by the ice.
The Post Office’s philatelic bureau has issued six stamps commemorating the epic voyage.
They’ll be available from Post Offices across the Isle of Man from today (Monday).
Researching your Manx family history can be a very interesting and rewarding hobby. Trace your roots in the Isle of Man with our helpful of guide.
