Curiosity Corner #264: Errors on stamps - Christmas Island

Christmas Island 1973 9c "HMS Imperious"
There was no ship of that name in the Royal navy in1888.
In 1887 HMS Egeria found samples of almost pure
limestone phosphate on Christmas Island which was of
huge economic value.

It was decided to annex the Island for the crown, and in
1888 "HMS Imperieuse" (commissioned at Portsmouth March 1888)
and on her way to relieve HMS Audacious as flagship of the China station
broke her journey to complete the annexation of the island.

It seems strange to have a vessel at this time with obvioulsy
a French name, the answer would appear to go back to October 1793
when a French Vessel named Imperieuse was captured by the English
vessel the "Captain" in Spezzia Bay near Genoa.
Since then there have been at least two ships named "Imperieuse"

http://cjoint.com/data/lDalsk3eKf.htm

Acknowledgement: Mr. J. Deeny.

(Apologies for poor scan)