Australia Post has released a commemorative stamp to mark the 150th anniversary of the Sydney to San Francisco mail steamer service.
Philatelic Manager at Australia Post, Michael Zsolt said the stamp celebrated an important milestone in Australia’s transport history.
“The vessel featured on the stamp, the SS Wonga Wonga, was a steamer built by J&G Thompson on the Clyde River in Glasgow, Scotland in 1854, which underwent significant refurbishments in 1868, prior to being chartered for the Pacific route,” Mr Zsolt said.
He said that on 26 March 1870, the SS Wonga Wonga departed Sydney for Honolulu via Auckland – the first steamer to depart from the Australian end of the Sydney to San Francisco route.
“The SS Wonga Wonga and SS City of Melbourne travelled as far as Honolulu during the first year of service, where passengers and cargo would then be transferred to American-flagged vessels,” Mr Zsolt said.
He said the following month, the SS City of Melbourne joined the Wonga Wonga on the Pacific mail route.
Mr Zsolt said the watercolour image used on the commemorative stamp had been painted by maritime artist, the late Dickson Gregory, who had been an avid collector of information relating to Australian sea vessels.
The commemorative stamp issue is available at Post Offices, via mail order by calling 1800 331 794 and online at www.auspost.com.au/stamps.
