President`s Message Oklahoma Cancel Out Of The Past

UMS %m
VOL.51 NO. 9
OFFICIAL ORGAN OF THE UNIVERSAL SHIP CANCELLATION SOCIETY
DECEMBER, 1984
WHOLE NO. 613
President's Message
Out Of The Past
Frank M. Hoak III, P.O. Box 668, New Canaan, CT 06840
Last month you read about the renewed USCS Sales
Circuit that will be managed by Jackson Bosley (3615 A
Jorge Dr., Austin, TX 78731) and hopefully off and running
by this time next month. Since the USCS sales circuit has
not been well known in the past, I thought it might be
appropriate to outline it here for you. Covers that you wish
to sell with a value over $1.50 may be sent to Jackson by
insured mail with each item individually priced by you on
the reverse in pencil. Jackson will review the pricing and
contact you if necessary. If the covers are in order, Jackson
will inventory them and list them on an inventory sheet.
About 50-100 covers along with the inventory sheet will then
be sent to interested USCS members who have previously
indicated to Jackson that they are interested in buying
covers through this type of buying service. USCS will keep
20% of the sale price to cover the administrative expenses
and the remainder will be forwarded to the cover owner after
the sales circuit has been exhausted. It should be made clear
that this entire process may take many months so that
members who do send covers to Jackson for inclusion in the
sales circuit should plan to be patient relative to the receipt
of funds for the covers sent.
The nicest feature of this program from our membership
point of view is that it allows USCS members to look over
the covers in the comfort of their own home and without the
expense of travelling to shows or dealer stores. Further
details on the renewed USCS Sales Circuit program may be
found elsewhere in this issue of the LOG.
The holiday season is upon us and on behalf of all the
Officers, Directors and Appointed Managers within USCS,
we want to wish you and yours the very best holiday season
ever. May your 1985 be healthy and prosperous and may
you join us at the 1985 National Convention at Valley
Forge. Pa. in July 1985.
Bernard M. Vesper (5906)
40 Rowe Avenue, Lynbrook, N.Y. 11563
Oklahoma Cancel
H. F.Rommel (H-175)
The National Museum of American History, Washington, D.C., have in their philatelic collection, the various
postal cancellers recovered from the USS OKLAHOMA
(BB-37) when she was raised at Pearl Harbor. The dates are
December 6, 1941, so now we can be sure that never was one
dated on December 7. As most of you know, I was aboard
the ship when she was sunk. The latest cancel 1 have is
December 5 on a Christmas card which a friend returned to
me. Illustrated is a strike of her registered postmark from the
day before the attack.
4 DECEMBER 1896
USS NEW ORLEANS (CL-22), ex-USS AMAZONAS,
ex-Brazilian AMAZONAS, launched in England by Sir
W.G. Armstrong, Whitworth and Co., Elswick Yard,
Newcastle-on-Tyne, England as an unclassified unnumbered Brazilian cruiser. The first British built warship
purchased by the U.S. Navy from a foreign country, the
Republic of Brazil. A "Believe It Or Not" fact! With the
State's war with Spain on the horizon, in early 1898, the
Navy Department looked over foreign warships that could
be bought in a hurry.
6 DECEMBER 1796
President George Washington urged Congress to increase
naval strength.
7 DECEMBER 1941
USS PYRO (AE-1) moored at West Loch in Pearl
Harbor when the Japanese attacked, damaged one Japanese
plane and suffered no serious damage.
8-10 DECEMBER 1941
U.S. Marine Corps Engagement: World War Two:
GUAM. On the 10th Guam surrenders to an invading
Japanese landing force.
14 DECEMBER 1911
The first naval ship USS CALIFORNIA (CA-6). exACR-6, Pacific Fleet Flagship, entered Pearl Harbor.
Hawaii through the new channel after it was made a naval
base.
16 DECEMBER 1964
USS HADDO (SSN-604) commissioned. She was the
26th nuclear submarine on the order list; the 52nd submarine and 24th attack type put into commission.
18 DECEMBER 1807
Congress authorized building 188 gunboats. They became
known as "Madison's gunboats."
20 DECEMBER 1840
USS VINCENNES,sloop-of-war, was the first American
ship to visit Wake Island, Pacific Ocean. Wake Island was
first sighted in 1586 by Spanish explorer Alvaro de
Mendoua. He named it San Francisco and sailed away.
25 DECEMBER 1943
USS SKATE (SS-305) got in a torpedo hit on the
Japanese battleship UN YAMATO, largest battleship in
history, but did not sink her.
26 DECEMBER 1902
The United States Yangtze River Patrol was established;
this began the China Station.
31 DECEMBER 1776
During the year American ships captured 342 British
ships.
Page 166
USCS LOG
The USCS LOG (ISSN 0279-6139), official publication of
the Universal Ship Cancellation Society, Inc., is published
monthly, James A. Klinger, Editor, P. O. Box 10321,
Wilmington, DE, 19850. Subscription $12.50 per year.
Single copies $ 1.25. Second class postage paid at Wilmington, DE.
POSTMASTER — Please send Form 3579 to:
The USCS LOG, P. O. Box 10321, Wilmington, DE 19850
Vol. 51
December, 1984
Whole No. 613
Advertising rates: l inch — $5.00; Quarter Page — $20.00;
Half Page — $45.00; Full Page — $75.00; Close Set
(auction) Surcharge — add $25.00 for full page, $12.50 half
page.
Please send all copy for the LOG to the Editor, typed,
double-spaced and in English. Deadline for each issue, five
weeks preceding month of publication. Auction copy must
be typed and double-spaced. SSAE for return material.
The UNIVERSAL SHIP CANCELLATION SOCIETY,
INC., (APS Affiliate#98). a non-profit, tax-exemt corporation, was founded in 1932. It promotes the study of the
United States Navy, its ships, and the study of the postal
markings of the U.S. navy and other maritime organizations
of the world.
Society Officers
President: Frank Hoak 111. P.O. Box 688, New Canaan, CT 06840
Vice-President: James P. Myerson, 928 Towne Ave.. Los Angeles, CA
90021
Secr&arv-Treasurer: Richard Hoffner. Sr.. P.O. Box 11266. Elkins Park.
PA 19117
Directors
Ray Costa
Martin Longseth
Stanton Honeyman
John J. Milewski. Jr.
Jack Howland
Robert D. Rawlins
David A. Kent
James Russell
William H. Lawton
Dr. Forrest M. Swisher
Services
APS Representative & Public Relations —David A. Kent, P.O. Box 13,
New Britain, CT 06050
Cachet History — Robert D. Rawlins. P.O. Box 981. Healdsburg, CA
95448
Catalog of Naval Postmarks, Sales Manager — Helen St. John, P.O.
Box 4203, Waterbury. CT 06704
Catalog Editor — James Russell. 2209 Brighton Street. Philadelphia,
PA 19149
Convention & Awards Coordinator — Robert D. Rawlins, As above.
Data Sheets — Stanley Munkittrick, P.O. Box M. Ludlow, MA 01056
Log Auction — Ed Plander. 24 Dolson Place, Stamford. CT 06901
Log Back Issues — Lorraine Kozicki. 35 Montague Circle. East
Hartford, CT 06118
Log Editor — James A. Klinger. P.O. Box 10321. Wilmington. DE
19850
Log Mailing List Manager— David A. Kent, P.O. Box 13. New Britain,
CT 06050
Naval Historian — Robert Matthews. 2116 West Belle Plaine Ave.,
Chicago. 11.60618
New Cancels & Types — Fred Fowler. P.O. Box 392. Niles. MI 49120
Photo Library — Detlef Clausen, 109 Dustin Street. Boston, MA 02135
Post Card Sales — Thad Kaczkowski, 290 Broadlawn Dr., Elizabeth.
PA 15037
Rapid Notification Service — Stanton Honeyman. P.O. Box 2485.
Station A, Meriden. CT 06450
Sales Circuits — Jackson Bosley, 3615 A Jorge Dr., Austin. TX 78731
Society Historian — Jack Howland, Rt. 375, Box 171, Woodstock. NY,
12498
Veterans Programs — Robert Mosley. 14 Woodbury Drive, Danbury.
CT 06810
Active Chapters
Following is a list of the active chapters of the USCS and the name and
addresses of chapter contact.
#1 Old Ironsides Chapter (Boston. MAarea), Detlef Clausen, P.O. Box
434. Brighton, MA 02135
#4 Stephen Decatur Chapter (Delaware Valley area). Rich Hoffner. 18
Ryers Ave.. Cheltenham, PA 19012
#6 Admiral Moffett Chapter (Chicagoland area). Larry Groh. 9648 So.
Major Ave.. Oak Lawn, IL 60453
II Admiral Byrd Chapter (MD, DC, VA area). Tom Nichols. 3401
Farthing Dr., Silver Spring, MD 20906
27 USS San Diego Chapter (San Diego area). Ed Prall. P.O. Box 236.
Spring Valley, CA 92077
51 USS California Chapter (Metro L.A. area). Al Moses, P.O. Box 752,
Brea. CA 92641
59 USS Saginaw Chapter (San Francisco Bay area), Ray Costa. 549
Jennings, Vallejo, CA 94591
DECEMBER, 1984
65
Graf Von Spee Chapter (Federal Republic of Germany area),
Wolfgang Krause, Elizabetenstr. 22d, 350 Bad Nauheim 3, West
Germany
68 USS Nathan Hale Chapter (All of CT). David Kent. P.O. Box 13,
New Britain CT 06050
71 USS America Chapter (Staten Island area), Larry Briend, 781
Tompkins Ave., Staten Island, NY 10305
74 USS Puget Sound Chapter (Seattle/Tacoma area), Louis Parker,
3303 Vista Place, West. Tacoma. WA 98166
75 USS Kalamazoo Chapter (S.W. Michigan & N.E. Indiana area).
Norm Ferguson, P.O. Box 2543, Kalamazoo, MI 49003
77 USS Springfield Chapter(Western Massachusetts area), Stan Munkittrick. P.O. Box M, Ludlow. MA 01056
78 USS Arizona Chapter (Tucson area), Helen Myers, 7418 E. Eli Dr.,
Tucson, AZ 85710
79 USS Oregon Chapter (Portland area), EmilCobos. 3135 S.E. 21st St.,
Portland, OR 97202
80 USS Michigan Chapter (Detroit area). Bob Quintero. 22608 Poplar
Ct.. Hazel Park. Ml 48030
82 Capt. Henry Glass Chapter (Guam, Mariana Islands), Ray Milling,
P.O. Box 1192, Agana, Guam, 96910
84 Ocean State Chapter (Rhode Island area), Margret Pitts, 383 Branch
Ave.. Providence, R.I. 02904
84 USS Phoenix Chapter (Phoenix area). Bill Frye, 9541 W. Taylor
Ave.. Tolleson, AZ 85353
85 Mercator Chapter (Belgium), Luc De May, Kalve 56, 9070 Wachtebeke. Belgium
86 USS Florida Chapter (Southern & Central Florida area), Ralph
Wilson, P.O. Box 951, Long Key, FL 33001
87 Fleet Admiral Nimitz Chapter (Texas & Louisiana area). Tom Koch,
Meadow Creek, DeSoto. TX 75115
88 Aloha Chapter (Hawaii). Col. M.J. Dube, USMC, Qtrs., 201, Box 5,
Honolulu. HI 96818
89 USS Buffalo Chapter (Buffalo/Southern Ontario area), Chris
Pieczynski, 52 Sandy Lane, Cheektowaga, NY 14227
90 USS New Jersey Chapter (Northern New Jersey area), Fillmore
Evans, 78 Kempton PL, Metuchen, NJ 08840
Contact the chapter in your area for meeting information. If there is no
chapter in your area, why not form one. The secretary can supply you with
the names of the members in your area and signatures from Five members in
good standing are required to form a new chapter. For further information,
contact the USCS Secretary. P.O. Box 11266. Elkins Park. PA 19117
Study Group Directory
This listing of collecting interests within the USCS is published to allow
members to contact others with similar collecting interests. If you would
like to lead a USCS study group, please send vour name and area of
collecting interest to the USCS PRESIDENT.
AKRON-MACON Study Group: William O. Boss. 825 Hillside Ave..
Elmhurst. IL 60126
BIKINI/OPERATIONS CROSSROADS Study Group: Harold Dylhoff. 23511 Paulson's Rd., Gobies, MI 49055
CACHET HISTORY Study Group: Bob Rawlins, P.O. Box 981,
Healdsburg, CA 95448
CHINA PORTS Study Group: Jackson Bosley, 3615 A Jorge Dr..
Austin, TX 78731
COAST GUARD Study Group: John Young, 146 No. Lincoln Ave..
Pearl River. NY 10956
D-DAY SHIPS StudyGroup: Jim Klinger. P.O. Box 10321, Wilmington. DE 19850
GREAT WHITE FLEET Study Group: Ray Costa, 529 Jennings.
Vallejo, CA 94590
MARINE CORPS Study Group: Ted Bahry, P.O. Box 756, Carlsbad.
CA 92008
PEARL HARBOR Study Group: Lou Bushnell. 1825 W. Hall, Santa
Ana. CA 92704
TOKYO BAY 1945 Study Group: Frank Hoak HI. P.O. Box 668. New
Canaan, CT 06840
Nathan Hale's Covers
We have issued printed cacheted covers to commemorate
the commissioning of the USS HENRY M. JACKSON
(SSBN-730) on October 6, 1984 and the launching of the
USS CHICAGO (SSN-721) on October 13, 1984 as illustrated elsewhere in this issue. Covers are 50c each and a large
SASE to John J. Milewski, 128 Main Street, Hartford, CT
06118.
CATAPULT AUCTION #1
Aircraft Carriers, Nothing but Carriers. Closes February 15, 1985. Launch a postal card for your copy
to: C. J. Mattison, P. O. Box 76, Valhalla, NY 10595.
DECEMBER, 1984
Russell's Column
J. Russell, 2209 Brighton St., Phila., PA 19149
Coast Guard Cutter HARRIET LANE (WMEC-903)
was placed in commission on September 20, 1984 at the
Washington Navy Yard. This is the third ship to bear this
name. Senator John Warner was the principal speaker. This
is the third of the new 13 ship 270-foot medium-endurance
cutters being built for the Coast Guard. She will be
homeported at Portsmouth, VA. Cmdr. Berne C. Miller is
the Commanding Officer. HARRIET LANE was launched
on February 6, 1982 and the sponsor is Mrs. Drew Lewis,
the wife of the former Secretary of Transportation. WMEC903 has a crew of 100, II officers, eight chief petty officers
and 81 enlisteds.
TRIUMPH (T-AGOS-4) was launched at Tacoma Boating Co., Wash, on September 7, 1984. Her keel was laid July
13, 1983. Gerald A. Cann, Deputy Assistant Secretary of the
Navy for Systems was the principal speaker. His wife is the
ships sponsor.
Keels for coast guard cutters CAM PBELL(WMEC-909)
and THETIS (WMEC-910) were laid in August in Middletown, R.I. WMEC-909 is the 6th vessel to bear this name.
The 5th was built in Philadelphia and served on convoy duty
during WW II. WMEC-910 is the 3rd vessel to bear this
name. The first, which was acquired from the Navy was used
to transport reindeer from Siberia to Alaska in an attempt to
improve the food supply. The second was a 165-foot cutter
which served in WW II and she sank the U-157. In January
1944 she aided in the rescue of 30 sailors from U.S.S. ST.
AUGUSTINE after she was rammed by a tanker in a
convoy. U.S.S. ST. AUGUSTINE sank Jan. 4th and 115
sailors lost their lives.
U.S.S. PORTSMOUTH (SSN-707) is on her way to her
new home port of San Diego. U.S.S. HOUSTON (SSN713) fired the 130th test flight of the Tomahawk missile on
June 29. The test was successful.
U.S.S. CLIFTON SPRAGUE (FFG-16) was transferred
to Naval Reserve Force on August 2, 1984. The official
transfer ceremony took place on October 20, 1984. FFG-16
will be operating out of the Philadelphia Naval Shipyard
and her new zip will be NY 09587-1475.
U.S.S. JOHN F. KENNEDY (CV-67) recently arrived at
the Norfolk Naval Shipyard for overhaul. She was the last
non-nuclear powered carrier to be built.
U.S.S. CLEVELAND (LPD-7) and U.S.S. SHASTA
(AE-33) recently collided at night off the southern coast of
Calif. No one was injured and both ships suffered minor
damage.
U.S.S. JACKSONVILLE (SSN-699) was in a collision
with a barge in the Chesapeake Bay on September 20th. The
JACKSONVILLE was cruising on the surface and suffered
minor damage. This is the second collision in 30 months
involving SSN-699. In March 1982, the submarine suffered
$2 million in damages when she collided with a Turkish
freighter. Following the collision with the barge, which was
hit amidships, U.S.S. JACKSONVILLE continued to Norfolk Naval Station.
U.S.S. VALLEY FORGE (CG-50) was christened on
September 29, 1984 at Ingalls Shipbuilding in Pascagoula,
Miss. Mr. William H. Taft, IV, Deputy Secretary of
Defense, was the principal speaker at the ceremony. His
wife, Julia Vandals Taft, is the ship's sponsor. Others taking
part were Sen. T. Cochran, Vice Admiral Harry C.
Schrader, Commander, Naval Surface Force, Pacific Fleet;
Rear Admiral Donald P. Roane, Aegis shipbuilding project
manager and Captain Ted C. Lockhart, the ship's commanding officer. The keel of CG-50 was laid April 14, 1983.
Although the Navy pulled U.S.S. CONNOLE (FF-I056)
from the Boston Shipyard Corp. on October 2, 1984
claiming work was substandard and work on the ship was
behind schedule, it was announced they will receive U.S.S.
WATERFORD, a floating drydock.
USCS LOG
Page 167
U.S.S. GUAM (LPH-9) recently arrived at Philadelphia
Naval Shipyard for an eight month regular overhaul, see
November Log. The Guam was built in Phila. and was
placed in commission January 16, 1965 on a very snowy day.
The following ships are also at the Naval Shipyard; U.S.S.
COLORADO (AGF-11), U.S.S. DAHLGREN (DDG-43),
U.S.S. FORRESTAL (CV-59), U.S.S. FARRAGUT
(DDG-37) and U.S.S. GUADALCANAL (LPH-7).
U.S.N.S. VINDICATOR (TAGOS 3) was launched on
June 1, 1984 by Tacoma Boat, Tacoma, Wash. CPL LOU IS
J. HAUGE JR. was delivered to Military Sealift Command
at Sparrows Point, MD in September 1984.
U.S.S. HENRY M. JACKSON (SSBN-730) the exRHODE ISLAND, was placed in commission on October
6, 1984. Her keel was laid on Jan. 19, 1981 and she was
christened on Oct. 15, 1983 by Anna Marie Jackson, the
daughter of the late Senator Henry M. Jackson. The
principal speaker was Admiral Kinnaird McKee. Captain
Ralph L. Tindal will command the Blue crew while Captain
Michael A. Farmer will command the Gold crew. Following
her shakedown she will be homeported in Bangor. Wash.
The sponsor broke off her studies in England to attend the
commissioning.
U.S.S. FULTON (AS-U) is on sea trial following her
overhaul. The Spanish Navy is buying three FFG-7 class
guided missile frigates from the U.S. Their names will be
NINA, PINTA, and SANTA MARIA. SENTRY (MCM-3)
keel was laid on October 8,1984 by Peterson Boat shipbuilding Co.
U.S.S. TICONDEROGA had a fire aboard recently and
she returned to Norfolk Naval Shipyard on one engine. She
was about 450 miles south of Norfolk. The fire occurred ion
her exhaust stack. No serious injured occurred with two
crewmen had minor burns and one suffered smoke inhalation. The cause of the fire will be investigated.
It now appears the Senate Appropriations Committee
approved an amendment putting $83.3 million back into FY
85 budget for the overhaul of the 41 year old Carrier U.S.S.
LEXINGTON. This is $43.7 short of the original request of
$ 127 million. The overhaul was supposed to start in October
but Navy official don't know if the overhaul will be delayed
because of the funding snag.
Some events to take place in December: ASSURANCE
(T-AGOS-5) launch by Tacoma Boat, Tacoma, Wash.;
SAMUEL B. ROBERTS (FFG-58) launch at Bath Iron
Works, Bathe, MA.; GRAPPLE (ARS-53) launch by
Peterson Shipbuilders, Sturgeon Bay, WI; DEFENDER
(MCM-2) launch by Marinette Marine Corp., WI; PITTSBURGH (SSN-720) launch bv Electric Boat Co., Groton.
CT; AUGUSTA (SSN-710) deliver to Navy at Electric Boat
but commissioned in January 1985.
Thanks to the following for covers, clippings, etc.: Hank
Baxter, Forrest Swisher, Dave Crawford, Herb Rommel,
Klaus-Dieter Nitsch, Rich Graham, Lew Bushnell. Bill
Everett, John Tweedie, Berle Spurlock, Dottie Mitchell.
Dave Holland, Bob Hamlen, Ed Planter, H. M. Boegershausen. Rich Hoffner, Ron Reeves. To the Editors of the
BEACON, DOLPHIN, PATROL, PERISCOPE and
SOUNDINGS. To AMERICA, NATHAN HALE and
Puget Sound Chapters. Hope I didn't forget anyone who
helped.
Over Cancelled Covers
Dottie Mitchell (USCS 5364)
When your covers come back and they are overcancelled
with a city postmark you can write a letter of protest to:
Office of Consumer Affairs
Customer Services Department
US Postal Service
Washington, D.C. 20260
You won't get your covers recancelled, but you can let off
some steam.
Page 168
USCS LOG
Nimitz Stamp
Following is a letter addressed to USCS member Frank
l.amb from the Customer Services Department of the
United States Postal Service.
"Dear Mr. l.amb:
Thank you for your letter regarding the Admiral Nimitz
stamp first day of issue ceremony. The Postal Service
already has announced that the ceremony will take place in
Fredericksburg. Texas, on February 22. 1985. Fredericksburg is the birthplace of Admiral Nimitz. and it was the wish
of the Nimit/ family to have the stamp dedicated in the
Admiral Nimit/ Historical Park in that city. We appreciate
your taking the time to share your thoughts with us on the
subject."
In another ship-related stamp event, the Federal Stamp
Advisory Committee is reviewing proposals for a postage
stamp commemorating the nation's last fleet of working
sailboats; the skipjacks of Chesapeake Bay. Everyone who is
in favor should write their views to: Honorable William F.
Bolger, Postmaster General of the U.S., Washington, DC
20260.
The Data Sheets
i 'seful listings for collectors of Naval covers
BRANCH NUMBERS. Post Office Department security
numfbers assigned to Navy shipboard post offices during
World War II. appearing in postmarks. Listing appears in
two parts: alphabetic and numeric sequences.
SPECIAL SHIP LISTINGS:
a) U.S. World War 11 submarine losses (with cover scarcity
factors).
b) U. S. Peacetime submarine disasters.
c) Operations Crossroads (atomic bomb tests at Bikini
Atoll. 1946).
d) Operation Highjump(Antarcticexpedition, 1946-1947).
e) Operation Inland Seas (Great Lakes exercise, 1958).
f) U. S. Battleships, complete list with dates and histories.
NAVY NUMBERS. Secret numbers used in addresses on
mail to and from Navy overseas bases in World War II.
Useful in tracing origins of war-time covers.
PEARL HARBOR/TOKYO BAY. Complete listings of all
major ships in Pearl Harbor at the time of the Japanese
attack on Dec. 7. 1941; and in Tokyo Bay for the
Japanese surrender on Sept. 2. 1945.
SUBMARINE MISSILE FIRINGS. Complete list of all
submerged test missile firings by Fleet Ballistic Missile
submarines. I960todate. In two sequences: by ship, and
bv date.
USECONSTITUTION CRUISE ,1931-1934. Complete list
of all locations visited bv the U. S. Frigate CONSTITUTION during her" 1931-1934 national cruise.
Includes postmark dates, killer bar wordings, and quantities of covers for each location.
THE FAMOUS FIFTY. Complete list of the 50 destroyers
traded to Britain in 1940 in exchange for bases in the
Western hemisphere. Includes American and British
names, notes on which ships were manned by Canadian
and Norwegian crews, and those transferred to Russia.
War history of each ship.
PRICE: $2.00 each, postpaid.
From STANLEY MUNKITTR1CK
P.O. Box M . L u d l o w , M A 01056-0613
CHARLIE NOBLE DITTY BAG MAIL SALE . . . MAIL YOUR
REQUEST FOR A FREE BROCHURE FOR THIS MONTHLY
NAVAL COVER SALE ALONG WITH AN SASE TO: 6307 PIONEER DRIVE, SPRINGFIELD, VA 22150-1693. ALSO BUYING
LOTS AND COLLECTIONS OF NAVAL COVERS . . . SEND A
LISTING OF WHAT YOU HAVE OR CALL 703-971-4040. YOU
ALL HAVE FAIR WINDS & FOLLOWING SEAS . ..
DECEMBER, 1984
USCS Sales Circuit News
Jackson Bosley, 3615 A Jorge Dr., Austin, TX 78731
The U.S.C.S. will resume its sales circuit program in
January 1985. This is good news for U.S.C.S. members as
the sales circuit will give collectors an opportunity to add to
their collection specialties and at the same time provide an
excellent means for other members to dispose of their cover
holdings at current market prices. Several prominent stamp
and cover societies have found the sales circuits to be one of
their most popular features with up to 50% of their
membership participating.
The emphasis on the renewed U.S.C.S. sales circuit
program will be on quality covers of a specialized nature.
This approach is necessary due to the high costs of postage
and handling as well as the administrative requirements
involved with the circuits. The circuits will contain covers
priced at a minimum of $1.50 each with a maximum of
50-100 covers in a single circuit. Covers will be priced by
their owners. Covers contained in the circuits should be
limited to envelopes or cards postmarked before 1960 with
some exceptions, i.e., splashdown, recovery, or other special
items. The sales circuit fee will be 20% of gross circuit sales.
Circuit members may hold the circuit for seven days after
which a small penalty will be added. A $1.00 fee per mailing
will be charged to circuit members to cover the expenses of
the sales circuit operation in addition to the cost of the
covers purchased.
The type of material for the circuit must depend entirely
on the response, desires and purchases of the members if the
sales circuit program is to be truly successful. Initially, items
for the circuits should be restricted to the following categories: CLASSICS, FAMOUS FIFTIES, ASIA FLEET/CHINA CANCELS. COAST GUARD. BIKINI OPERATIONS C R O S S R O A D S , GREAT WHITE FLEET,
USMC, PEARL HARBOR. D-DAY SHIPS, TOKYO
BAY, AKRON-MACON. 4-STACK DESTROYERS.
TYPES OFSHIP BY DECADE, POLAR ANTARCTIC,
AND CACHET TYPES. MISCELLANEOUS lots of ship
covers are not desired at this time. The sales circuit manager
will publish a notice in each issue of the Log listing which
categories of covers are needed and which categories have
had limited response.
U .S.C.S. members who desire to receiv e circuits from any
of the above categories should write to the sales circuit
manager immediately to ensure that their names are placed
on the roster for circuits for their selected categories.
Similarly, members who would like to include material in
these specialized circuits should contact the sales manager
and request forms and instructions for the submission of
material for the circuit.
News From Boston
Old Ironsides Chapter No. 1, P.O. Box 434,
Brighton, Mass. 02135
The Old Ironsides Chapter No. I has sponsored 4 new
light house cachets for the following lights:
DUXBURY PIER LIGHT, Duxbury, Mass.
HOSPITAL POINT LIGHT, Beverly Harbor, Mass.
PORTSMOUTH HARBOR LIGHT, New Castle, N.H.
FORT POINT LIGHT, Stockton Springs, Maine.
All of the above lights are available on postal cards, for
75c each from the chapter including a SASE. Aug. 31, 1984
USS SIMPSON (FFG-56) was launched at Bath Iron
Works, Bath, Maine. The Old Ironsides Chapter covered
this event and has a printed launch postal card available,
postmarked in Bath, Me. on Aug. 31, 1984. Price per card is
75e plus one SASE. Send your orders to: Old Ironsides
Chapter No. 1, P.O. Box 434. Brighton, Ma., 02135, USA.
DECEMBER, 1984
USCS LOG
Page 169
Saginaw Christmas Specials
The Trucks & Jeeps Of The Fleet
by Ray Costa
U.S.S. Saginaw Chapter has prepared a list of chapter
covers to add to your collection as a Christmas gift to
yourself. Included are the two latest items, U.S.S. Stonewall
Jackson SSBN-634 20th Anniversary in commission and the
"U.S.S. Saginaw Salutes the USCS 28th Convention"
cancelled aboard U.S.S. Saginaw LST 1188, 23 June, 1984.
Stonewall is available at .75c and Saginaw, $ 1.00. A copy of
the covers available will be sent with each order or on receipt
ofa#10SASE.
A very limited number of 1984 convention covers are
available at .75c plus SASE. We regret that the convention
buttons are gone but a few convention booklets are available
for a 6" x 9" SASE with .37c postage . . . better hurry.
In reply to the many requests on status of Nautilus
moving date — no info available at this time. Visitors to
West Coast are invited to write Saginaw for the meeting date
closest to the expected visit... visitors always welcome. For
info and covers write the Chapter, Box 4634, Vallejo, CA
94590.
By: J. Klinger (Part I)
I collect most everything, but. my specialty are the
obscure ships of the fleet; the IXs and most especially the
yardcraft, which are for the most part, unheralded and
unnamed vessels, very seldom having postmarks, difficult to
find as even a corner card and extremely challenging as R.
Clifton Campbell attests in last month's LOG. To begin this
part, in a timely manner, following is a listing of those
unnamed yardcraft present during the attack on Pearl
Harbor. Contemporary lists provided by the late Don Mc
Pherson, the USCS Data Sheets. Pat Hall's Pearl Harbor
Battle Report and Lou Bushnell's list were used as a basis for
this report. Some vessels will be deleted and others added to
give a comprehensive account and disposition, when
known, of these vessels.
USS Pine Island Fancy Cancel
The illustration of this cancel was muddied during
reduction, so here it's showing its use in better detail.
News From San Diego
Neal Askew, 4573 Normandie Place, La Mesa, CA 92041
The regular October meeting of Chapter 27 was a
planning program for events in connection with the sailing
of the STAR OF INDIA on November 11. On that date the
"STAR" will be 131 years old and the oldest iron-hulled
merchant sailing ship afloat. A special cancellation will be
provided by the Postal Service for the sailing. Chapter 27
will have cacheted covers available including the special
postal cancel commemorating the event for $ 1.00 each with
SASE.
Also available are cacheted "First Anniversary" covers
from the following ships: USS DAVID R. RAY(DD-971),
USS OLDENDORF (DD-972), USS O'BRIEN (DD-975)
and USS MERRILL (DD-976). These covers are 35c each
or 3 for $1.00 with SASE from the above address.
Estate Auction
The USCS Heirs and Estates Service is presently conducting a series of mail auctions to assist the family of a member.
Included are a wide variety of submarine covers, nuclear
ships, oceanographic, and numerous other types of covers.
For a copy of the latest auction, send a stamped addressed
return envelope to Helen C. St. John, P.O. Box 4203,
Waterbury, CT 06704-0203.
YA-66 an ash lighter built in 1931 at Pearl Harbor Naval
Shipyard.
YC-417 an open lighter. No record of this barge appears in
Ships'Data Books from the first such book in 1914 through
the 1945 volumes. Open lighters that were present include
the YC-307, YC-429. YC-471 (perhaps a transposition to
YC-417), YC-473, YC-477, YC-479, YC-651 (ex-barge I.D.
3398). YC-697 (ex-YF-379), YC-698 (ex-YF-389) and YC699.
YF-240 a covered lighter converted at Pearl Harbor from
the ex YE-36, ex YC-468.
YF-241 a covered lighter converted at Pearl Harbor from
the ex YE-37, ex YC-469.
YFD-2 a floatingdrydock capable of docking light cruisers,
destroyers and subs. Built in 1902, her sister was YFD-1. the
Dewey Dry Dock. YFD-2 was stricken on January 28, 1947
and sold to Inter Island Steam Navigation Company of
Honolulu on March 30, 1948.
YG-15 a non-self propelled garbage lighter completed in
1931. In June 1943, she was transferred to the NOB at
Midwav and later sunk there in a collision there on March
II, 1946.
YG-17 a 118-foot, self-propelled garbage lighter launched
January 28, 1932 at Portsmouth Naval Shipyard and
commissioned March 10, 1932. The vessel was transferred to
the Naval Fuel Depot at Melville, RI on December 29, 1936
and on December 16, 1939, assigned to Pearl Harbor.
During the attack, CBM Lenorad Mac Jahnsen, CO of the
YG-17. was the first to place his barge alongside the USS
WEST VIRGINIA until her fires were extinguished and he
kept his barge alongside regardless of the danger from fire
and exploding ammunition, maneuvering to direct streams
of water to the fires. After thejob on the WEST VIRGINIA,
YG-17 went alongside the USS ARIZONA and again
displayed courage, initiative and skill in fighting her fires.
For his distinguished devotion to duty, CBM Mac Jahnsen
was awarded the Silver Star. On February 22, 1943, the
barge departed Pearl Harbor for the South Pacific and was
later disposed of at Espiritu Santo on November 22, 1946.
YG-21 another self-propelled garbage lighter, which served
in the Navy until September 1, 1970 when the barge was
stricken and sold to I. Logan of Seattle, WA. The barge is
still in existence today, under a new owner as the M/V
AFAC QUEEN (US618129) and homeported in Seattle.
YM-15 a 140-foot dredge, ex War Department HELL
GATE, built in 1922 and acquired by the Navy in June of
1936. Assigned to Pearl Harbor on October 16, 1940 and out
of service there on May 23, 1947. Later sold to Hughes
Brothers of New York City on March 18, 1948. Final
disposition wanted.
Next month, I will conclude the unnamed vessels and start
the named yardcraft, as well as commercial ships that were
present during the attack and any updates to the first part.
Page 170
USCS LOG
DECEMBER, 1984
Coast Guard Happenings
by George R. Benz (5268), 9416 Lakeshore Road,
Angola, New York 14006
The Bahamas provided plenty of action for the crew of
CGC LI PAN recently, as the cutter seized four drug-laden
vessels. CGC LI PAN seized the Honduran freighter
Rosangel with more than 9,000 pounds of marijuana on
board. Three days later, another 20 tons were found in
concealed compartments on the American registered
Laney C.
The rash of seizures continued as 51,000 pounds of
contraband were located in the secret holds of Mrs. White, a
156 foot coastal freighter with United Kingdom registry. A
36 foot yawl. Blue Jacket, with a quarter ton of marijuana
packed throughout the boat, brought CGC LIPAN's total
to four seized vessels on a single patrol.
As a result of the Bahamas patrol, CGC L1PAN passed
the half million pound mark in marijuana seized.
Recently, the CGC RUSH was en routeto Juneau when a
call for help came in — a vessel in trouble. Both of the
cutter's 3,500 horsepower diesels kicked in as RUSH headed
to the scene. The "greener" personnel on board smiled with
delight as visions of heavy surf, vessels aground, amazing
heroism and the Coast Guard Achievement medals danced
in their heads. Their main thought was living up to the
phrase: "The Coast Guard, The Lifesavers".
As RUSH approaced the position of the distressed boat,
all hands made preparations. The gunners broke out the line
throwing guns to pass a towline. The bosuns had the small
boat ready to take off the survivors, and the HS was ready
with splints, aspirin and morphine for the more seriously
injured. All hands were standing by. The boat was ahead.
Closer now, the lookout reported the identification of the
vessel. It had a familiar look to it!
Yes! There it was — Coast Guard small boat 256500 with
another vessel in tow. CG 256500 was in need of fuel and oil
for the long tow back to Juneau. After assisting CG 256500
and providing the needed supplies and a pot of hot coffee
thrown in for good measure, CGC RUSH headed for
Juneau.
Turns out that the Point No Point Light Station mentioned in October's column shares its name with another
Point No Point Light Station located on the western side of
Chesapeake Bay six miles north of Point Lookout, MD.
However, the Chesapeake Bay Station is now an unmanned
automated light.
The Commanding Officer of the CGC NORTHLAND
(WMEC 904), c/o CG Support Center, 4000 Coast Guard
Blvd., Portsmouth, VA 23703 will apply his cachet to your
covers.
The C O . of the CGC CONFIDENCE (WMEC-619),
Port Angeles, W A 98362 will apply his "White Fang" cachet
to your covers. This is one of the few naval cachets featuring
an animal.
The C O . of the CGC LAUREL (WLB-291), c/o CG
Base, P.O. Box 10280, San Pedro, CA 90731 will apply his
cachet to your covers.
The C O . of the CGC HARRIET LANE (WMEC-903),
c o CG Support Center, 4000 Coast Guard Blvd., Portsmouth, VA 23703 will apply his cachet to your covers.
The C O . of the CGC DEPENDABLE (WMEC-626),
P.O. Box CG, Panama City, FL 52401 will apply his corner
card and an embossed seal to your covers.
Thanks to R. Hoffner, F. Miller III, W. Ernst, R. Clark,
Jr., A. Kohut, USS Puget Sound Chapter 74(who provided
the 4 cachets mentioned above), and the U. S. Coast Guard
for their help.
And may all my readers have a Merry Christmas and a
joyous and prosperous 1985.
USS Georgia Equator Crossing Covers
Decatur Chapter had scheduled a cacheted cover to note
the Equator Crossing of the USS GEORGIA SSBN-729.
The covers were prepared, and a special fancy postmark was
to be used by the PAO. The chapter was recently notified
that the GEORGIA would NOT cross the Equator, thus the
covers and cancels are out. A mock-up of our cover and the
cancel planned by the Gold PAO is shown here.
We were advised that covers already sent to the
GEORGIA for the special Equator Crossing postmark
would be mailed during the boats transit of the Panama
Canal.
Those who already ordered the Equator Crossing cover,
will receive refunds from Decatur Chapter. Thank you,
Decatur Chapter Cover Committee, 18 Ryers Ave., Cheltenham, PA 19012
P.S. Should this cruise take place in the future, we will
attempt to have our envelopes cancelled with the ships
postmark at that time.
USS Oregon Chapter #79
John Wager, USCS 4106
We hope that your summer was most pleasant, and you
are back in full swing with our hobby. Myself, after a health
problem and some vacation, I am trying to get to the bottom
of my correspondence pile. If I owe you a letter, please be
patient with me, I'll get to it as fast as I can.
At our October Chapter meeting a nominating committee
presented candidates for offices next year, and we discussed
cover services this winter. Jerry Long is working up designs
for some new cachets, and we will continue to print cachets
for timely ship events for our members and those who
subscribe to the service to send out for their own covers. If
you would like to see a couple of them, drop me a note with a
large SASE and I would be happy to send you a sample for
you to send out.
I had a question about the OREGON cancel that one of
our members obtained in an auction last spring. It is on the
picture postcard of the OREGON in drydock at Puget
Sound Naval Shipyard, sent by the ship's drummerboy,
Otto W. Horton, to his sister-in-law Mrs. W. Horton in
Seattle, and is a T-3 San Francisco/Cal. in the killer bars
and is dated 4 Feb. 1915. This is the third of three obtained
by an Oregon dealer from an estate.
In answer to my request for the new address of USCGC
GENTIAN WLB-290, I received three replies, George
Benz's came in first. It is: P.O. Box 247, Atlantic Beach, NC
28512.
Send a # 10 SASE to the Secretary, Emil Cobos, 3135 S.E.
21st Street, Portland, OR 97202 for the Chapter cover and
photo list.
DECEMBER, 1984
USCS LOG
Page 171
Log Auction #12
The results of the U.S.C.S. July Auction that closed on Sept. 15,1984 was as
follows; and added $111.45 to the Log Fund.
The following covers will be sold to the highest bidder at
the close of the Auction on January 15, 1985. Covers will go
to highest bidder, at 10c above the next high bid. Covers will
be sent first class and postage added to the bill. DECEMBER AUCTION CLOSES JANUARY 15, 1985.
351 — $2.10, 352 — 1.60, 353 — N/B, 354 — 1.75, 355 — 2.50, 356 — 2.60, 357
—4.10,358 - N/B, 3 5 9 - N/B, 360 - 1.75,361 — 4.10,362 - 4.00,363 - 2.45,
364 — 4.00 (tie), 365 — 2.60,366 — 3.85,367 — 2.10,368 - 4.00,369 — N/B, 370
- 2.00, 371 - N/B, 372 — 1.60, 373 — 2.35, 375-1.10, 3.75 - 75, 376 — .85,
377 — 1.25, 378 — 4.00 (tie), 379 — 1.35, 380 — 1.40, 381 — 1.75, 382 — 2.10,
383 — .85, 384 — N/B, 385 — 3.85, 386 — 1.60, 387 - 2.95, 388 — 1.00, 389
—4.00,390 — 4.10,391 — 1.35,392 — 1.55,393 — 3.60,394 — 4.10,395 — 1.40,
396 — 2.60, 397 - 1.60, 398 - 3.10, 399 - 5.60, 400 - 4.00.
Lot
551 A. W. Radford DD968, 2n/usn, Navy cachet, 9nu/usn,
24 Aug. 1982
552 Acadia AD 42, 2n/usn, OSC. 3 August, 1982
553 Basswood WLB 388, T-9 Agana-Guam, CC, N/C, 2 May 1984
554 Boston SSN 703, Newport News, OSC, 6 August 1982
555 Bristol Cty, LST 1198, 2n/usn, error(USS NAVY), OSC,
18 October 1982
556
557
558
559
560
Blue Ridge LCC 19, 2n/usn, OSC, 9 March 1983
Beverly W.Reid LPR 119, 2n, LDPS Cachet, 19 September 1969
Bristol Bay WTGB 102, Detroit, Mich. OSC, 13 September 1982
Boone FFG 28, 2n/usn, OSC, 20 September 1982
Capstan WYTL 65601, Northern Virginia, C/C, N/C,
11 March 1981
561 Cherokee WMEC 165, Tidewater, Virginia, C/C, OSC,
25 Feb. 1983
562
563
564
565
CG Station, Cortez, Fla., Cortez, C/C, OSC, vg, 22 March 1983
Fidelity MSO 443, Panama City, Fla., C/C, OSC, 1 Nov. 1982
Fremont APA 44, 2n, N/C, 24 December 1955
George Philip FFG 12, 2n/usn, C/C, OSC, 18 October 1982
M/B
1.00
.75
.50
.75
Thanks to all bidders and to J. Klinger, Wm. Frye, and S. Milstein for their
donation of covers to the auction fund.
1.00
.75
1.00
.75
1.00
.75
.75
1.00
.75
1.00
.75
566 Guittarro SSN 665, (2n/usn on AS 41), OSC, C/C, 3 Feb. 1983
1.00
567 Groton SSN 694, Groton. C t , OSC, C/C, 19 Jan. 1983
568 Hakuho Maru R/V, Paquebot Mail, Guam OSC, Ocean
Research Institute Univ. Of Tokyo, 6 May 1984
569 H. J. Ellison DD864, Phila., Pa., Cancel, C/C, 38 Birthday
June 23 1983
570 John Young DD 973, 2n/usn, OSC, 16 Nov. 1982
571 Jason AR8, 2n/usn, OSC, C/C, 27 Oct. 1982
572 Kitty Hawk CV 63, 2t nu, OSC, C/C, 12 June 1984
573 Kane DD 235, 3 (BxTB), N/C, 8 April 1934
574 Kansas City AOR 3, 2n/usn, OSC, 2VOct. 1982
575 Long Beach CGN 9, 2n, OSC, heavy, cancel, 18 Oct. 1982
576 Leahy CG 16, 2n/usn, OSC, part of cancel not clear,
24 June 1981
577 Lexington AVT 16, 2n/usn, OSC, 20 Oct. 1982
578 Manchester CL 83, 2n, N/C, sailors mail w/stamps, 9 May 1949
579 Midway CVB 41, 7 tnu, N/C sailors mail w/stamps,
16 April 1960
580 Maddox DD731, cancelled on Kaskaskia AO, (T-2) sailors mail
with stamps, N/C, 3 May 1952
581 McKean DDR 784, 2n, N/C, 5 Oct. 1962
582 Mobile LKA 115, 2n, usn, OSC, 25 Oct. 1982
583 2nd Marine Div. FMF Air Letter, from HQ Co. 6, Mar. Camp
Lejeune, N.C., to Italy with T-2# Cancel (12868) and letter
31 January 1959
584 Morgenthau WHEC 722, San Diego, OSC, C/C, 3 Feb. 1983
585 Mackinaw WAGB 83, Detroit, 35 Birthday Cachet, 20 Dec. 1979
586 Memphis SSN 691, (cancel on AS 39), OSC, 4 Dec. 1980
587 SSBN727, Groton, Conn, Launch of 727, 26 April 1980
588 Montague AKA 98, 2n, N/C, SL1,T-2n, 20 Dec. 1949
589 Merrick LKA 97, 21 nu, 9 f u , C/C 10 April 1969
590 Mobile Bay WTGB 103, Sturgeon Bay, Wi, OSC, C/C,
2 Nov. 1982
591 NoaDD343, 3r (B TBT) FDPS, N/C, 7 May 1940
592 Peterson DD 969, 2n/usn, OSC, 1 Nov. 1982
593 Pensacola LSD 38, 2n/usn, OSC, 7 Dec. 1982
594 Piedmont AD 17, (cancel on AD 41) LDC TGN Cachet, C/C
30 Sept 1982
595 Patterson DE 1061, 2n, (FDC) Beck Cachet, cancel not too
clear. 14 Mar 1970
596 Selfridge DD 357, 3(AC BBT), N/C, 7 Dec. 1936
597 Stark FFG 31, Seattle, Wa. Launch Cachet of FFG 31,
30 May 1980
598 Topeka CLG 8, 2n overcancel, OSC, 2 Jan. 1964
599 Yarnall DD 143, 3s, N/C, 25 June 1936
600 (6) #10 air mail covers all different, Grand Canyon Ad, Okla.
City CLG 5, Carter Hall LSD, Pine Is. AV, Platte AO 24
and Allagash AO 97
Please send all bids to Auction Manager
Ed Plander
24 Dolsen Place
Stamford, Conn. 06901
1.00
1.00
.75
.75
.75
1.00
1.50
1.00
.75
.50
1.00
1.00
1.00
1.00
.75
1.00
1.00
.75
1.25
.75
1.25
.75
1.00
1.25
1.50
.75
.75
1.00
1.00
1.25
1.00
1.00
1.25
1.50
DPS Release
Covers from the commissioning of the USS HENRY M.
JACKSON are available from Dynamic Philatelic Service,
P. O. Box 849, Groton, CT 06340 for 75c each and a large
SASE.
Old Salts
By: J. Klinger (USCS 4979)
Seventy-eight years ago this month the USS MONTANA
(ACR-14) was launched on December 15, 1906 by Newport
News Shipbuilding & Dry Dock Company. This yard
constructed eighteen cruisers for the Navy between 1905 and
1949, beginning with the USS WEST VIRGINIA (ACR-5)
and ending with the USS NEWPORT NEWS (CA-148).
MONTANA was built as hull number 58 and was sponsored
by Miss Minnie Conrad, daughter of W. G. Conrad of
Montana. Newspaper stories of the event noted that "the
Navy was not officially represented," an unusual occurrence
indeed. See DANFS for more details of her history. During
her career, she was renamed the MISSOULA and scrapped
under this name in 1934 as illustrated. At roughly the time of
this type 3 cancel, she was returning to the US from her
second trip to the Near East. The USCS Catalog lists cancel
types 1, la, lz, 2, 3, 9v, 9w and F as MONTANA, with no
cancels when named MISSOULA.
Sources
Photos, courtesy of Newport News Shipbuilding & Dry
Dock Co.
DANFS, Volume IV
USCS Catalog, cancel in author's collection.
Ship Construction List
Courtesy of USS AMERICA Chapter #71. See page 53 of
the June 1984 LOG for the legend. All dates are tentative
and are subject to delay by the building yard or the Navy.
December, 1984
HONOLULU (SSN-718) F 12/14 NN
AUGUSTA (SSN-710) D 12/7 EB
PITTSBURGH (SSN-720) L 12/8 EB
TAYLOR (FFG-50) F 12/1 BIW
S.B. ROBERTS (FFG-58) L 12/8 BIW (D)
GRAPPLE (ARS-53) L 12/8 PTSN
ARDM-5L 12/14TSE
JANUARY, 1985
ALASKA (SSBN-732) L 1/5 EB
CG-54K 1/2 ING
R.M. DAVIS (ARS-60 K 1/5 TSP
GUARDIAN (MCM-5) K 1/21 PTSN
J. HUMPHREYS (T-AO-188) K 1/28 AV
Page 172
USCS LOG
DECEMBER, 1984
Our Submarines
Bernard M. Vesper (5906)
A-BOATS
Gasoline powered engines were first used in submarines
for propulsion on the surface and for recharging the main
storage batteries in the Holland A-B-C-D classes. The single
engine used in these submarines were small and was
connected to an electric motor by a hand clutch. This
combination of propulsion existed until the time of the
E-boats. The first A-class types were worked by trial and
error. In subsequent new classes to follow constant experiment improvements were introduced leading to better
designs and equipment.
The A- and B-boats, known as Submarine Torpedo
Boats, could only operate but a few hours, and never out of
sight of land. Later types were developed to stay out at sea
for many days at a time, and eventually to traverse oceans.
At first the Fleet regarded submarines as unwanted stepchildren because of the foul smells and filth aboard due to the
oil-gasoline fumes, and mess caused by these fuels, they were
nicknamed "pigboats." They also did resemble the "sea pig",
and the porpoise.
After the commissioning of the A-boats, GRAMPUS
(A-3) and PIKE (A-5), they conducted training and experimental exercises off San Francisco and along the coast of
California until November 1906. In 1908 they served in the
Pacific Torpedo Flotilla. In 1915 they were assigned to the
1st Submarine Division, Asiatic Torpedo Fleet.
ADDER (A-2), MOCCASIN (A-4), PORPOISE (A-6),'
SHARK (A-7), and PLUNGER (A-l) were sent to the
Naval Torpedo Station, Newport, R.I. where they conducted evaluation experiments on machinery, armament
and tactics as well as training. They cruised along the
Atlantic Coast in the 1 st Submarine Flotilla, Atlantic Fleet.
Between 1908 and 1915 they were ordered (one by one) to
Cavite, Luzon, Philippine Islands for service with the
Asiatic Fleet. PLUNGER remained on the East Coast.
These submarines could not make it under their own
power so they were transported to the islands on the decks of
specially-built collier and cargo ships and were launched
from the side. During World War One they patrolled in
Manila Bay and off Corregidor Island during 1917-1918.
USS CARL VINSON CALENDARS, 1985, w/Julian
dates, 13 photos/depicting various type aircraft in
action & several views of the ship size 8V2"x11".
$5.50each postpaid. Marine Photos Box425, Spring
Valley, CA 92077.
Near, minor and major disasters: A-boats.
SS-1 USS HOLLAND. In 1898 while under preparations
for sea trials she accidentally sank at her moorings due to a
sea valve being left open. She was raised and dried out. The
first sinking of a U.S. .submarine. In 1899 all of the
HOLLAND'S civilian crew almost perished from fumes of a
gasoline leak in the boat. In 1902 HOLLAND was damaged
by a hydrogen gas explosion aboard and the crew was
injured.
SS-3 USS A-5 (ex-ADDER) in 1917 suffered a fatal
gasoline explosion at a dock while refueling, one crewman
killed in the Philippines.
SS-4 USS A-3 (ex-GRAMPUS) and SS-6, USS A-5 (exPIKE) in 1908 one sailor was killed and several injured by a
gasoline explosion while refueling in the Philippines.
SS-6 USS A-5 (ex-PIKE) sank on 15 April, 1917 without
casualties at Cavite Navy Yard, Philippines from a slow leak
in the main ballast tank. Raised 19 April, 1917 and returned
to patrol duty.
SS-7 USS A-6 (ex-PORPOISE) took an unscheduled
dive off Newport, R.I. in 1904 and hit bottom at 125 feet.
The crew was able to bring her to the surface by hand
pumping. Leaky sea valves was the cause.
SS-8 USS A-7 (ex-SH ARK) took an involuntary dive and
the crew hand pumped it back to the surface from 40 feet in
1904. On another occasion she sank alongside her pier. In
July 1917 SHARK, A-7, suffered a disastrous gasoline
explosion while underway on the surface in Manila Bay, P.I.
The C O . and six of the crew perished. She was badly
damaged and underwent repairs.
Mailing Labels
The LOG mailing list is now well-established on our new
computer system. The computer is working well, and most
of the errors made in entering the addresses into the
computer have been corrected. My apologies to several
members in northern Virginia whose addresses inadvertently showed Maryland. These errors were corrected with
the October issue.
The new computer system has room for the new 9-digit
ZIP Codes for all addresses. While the new codes are not
required for any class of mail, they may help speed the LOG
to you each month.
We note with regret the death of Dr. John E. Borges of
Fairfield, Conn., on Sept. 27. He was only 47.
Dr. Borges was a past president of the American First
Day Cover Society, and was one of the country's experts on
first day covers. He won a silver medal and the Novice
Award at the 1979 USCS convention for his exhibit of
"nautical" first day covers, postmarked aboard ship.
He was an active member of the USS NATHAN HALE
Chapter, and participated in many of its activities. The
Chapter has expressed the sympathies of the Society to his
family.
USCS LOG
DECEMBER, 1984
"Operation Shoestring"
By Lou Bushnell, USCS #6236,1825 West Hall Ave.,
Santa Ana, CA 92704-5649
On August 7, 1942 the United States started the first
major offensive action against the Japanese Empire when
elements of the First Marine Division (Reinforced) invaded
the Solomon Islands of Tulagi, Gavutu and the infamous
Guadalcanal.
The operation was officially called OPERATION
WATCHTOWER but by October 1942 it was called
Operation Shoestring by the Marines fighting for their lives
to defend Henderson Field and feeling left high and dry to
fend for themselves on Guadalcanal.
Reams have been written on the campaign and my
purpose here is not to reopen old wounds, but, to inform
Naval Cover Collectors of the ships involved and to submit
as a guide to collectors the covers still available for those
interested in obtaining them. Remember, time marches on,
covers are getting scarce, and either good or bad news, so are
the prices. They are marching upwards!
The following ships participated in the initial phase of the
invasion. Within a few weeks many were no longer among
the living, their rusting hulls lying in Davey Jones's Locker
at Iron Bottom sound.
BATTLESHIPS
1. USS NORTH CAROLINA
BB-55
CARRIERS
1. USS SARATOGA
2. USS ENTERPRISE
3. USS WASP
CV-3
CV-6
CV-7 (Lost Sept. 15, 1942)
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
7.
8.
9.
10.
11.
12.
CRUISERS
USS ASTORIA
CA-34
USSQUINCY
CA-39
CA-44
USSVINCENNES
USS CHICAGO
CA-29
CA-38
USS SAN FRANCISCO
USS NEW ORLEANS
CA-32
USS PORTLAND
CA-33
USS SALT LAKE CITY
CA-25
CA-36
USS MINNEAPOLIS
USS ATLANTA
CL-51
USS SAN JUAN
CL-54
USS SAN DIEGO
CL-53
1.
2.
3
4.
5.
6.
7.
8.
9.
10.
11.
12.
13
14.
15.
16.
17.
18.
19.
20.
21.
22.
23.
24.
25.
26.
27.
28.
29.
30.
31.
32.
33.
DESTROYERS & MINE LAYERS
USS AARON WARD
DD-483 (Lost Apr. 7, 1943)
USS BAGLEY
DD-386
USS BALCH
DD-363
USS BENHAM
DD-397 (Lost Nov. 15, 1943)
USS BLUE
DD-387 (Lost Aug. 22, 1942)
DD-484
USS BUCHANAN
USS DEWEY
DD-349
USS ELLET
DD-398
USS FARENHOLT
DD-491
USS FARRAGUT
DD-348
USS GRAYSON
DD-435
USS GWIN
DD-433 (Lost July 13, 1943)
USS HELM
DD-388
USS HENLEY
DD-391 (Lost Oct. 3, 1943)
USS HULL
DD-350 (Lost Dec. 17, 1944)
USS HOPKINS
DMS-13
USS HOVEY
DMS-11 (Lost Jan. 6, 1945)
USSJARVIS
DD-393 (Lost Aug. 8, 1942)
USS LAFFEY
DD-459 (Lost Nov. 13, 1942)
USS LANG
DD-399
USS MACDONOUGH
DD-351
USS MAURY
DD-401
USS MONSSEN
DD-436 (Lost Nov. 13, 1942)
USS MUGFORD
DD-389
USS PATTERSON
DD-392
USS PHELPS
DD-360
USS RALPH TALBOT
DD-390
USSSELFRIDGE
DD-357
USS STACK
DD-406
USS STERETT
DD-407
USS TREVER
DMS-16
USS WILSON
DD-408
USS ZANE
DMS-14
OILERS
1. USS CIMARRON
2. USS GUADALUPE
3. USS SABINE
AO-22
AO-32
AO-25
(Lost
(Lost
(Lost
(Lost
Aug. 9, 1942)
Aug. 9, 1942)
Aug. 9, 1942)
Jan. 30, 1943)
The Chain of Command of the operation ran the gamut
from Admiral Ernest King, Chief of Naval Operations,
Admiral Chester Nimitz, Navy Boss in the Pacific, ViceAdmiral Robert Ghormley, Navy Boss in the South West
Pacific, Rear Admiral Richmond Kelly Turner, Amphibious Boss, Vice-Admiral Frank Fletcher, Boss of TF-61 the
Expeditionary Force, Rear Admiral John McCain, Boss of
the land based aircraft, Rear Admiral Leigh Noyes, the
Carrier Air Group Boss, and Major General Archie Vandegrift, USMC Commander of the First Marine Division.
Admiral Turner had the following units under his watchful eyes during the landings.
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
7.
8.
9.
10.
11.
12.
13.
14.
15.
TASK FORCE 62 (Transport Group X-ray 62.1)
TRANSPORT DIVISION A:
USS FULLER
APA-7
USS AMERICAN LEGION APA-17A
USSBELLATRIX
AKA-3
TRANSPORT DIVISION B:
USSMCCAWLEY
APA-4 (Flagship of Adm. Turner
Lost June 30, 1943)
USSBARNETT
APA-5
USS GEO. F. ELLIOT
AP-105 (Lost Aug. 8, 1942)
USS LIBRA
AKA-12
TRANSPORT DIVISION C:
USS HUNTER LIGGETT
APA-14
USSALCHIBA
AKA-6
USSFOMALHAUT
AK-22
USS BETELGEUSE
AKA-11
TRANSPORT DIVISION D:
USS CRESCENT CITY
APA-21
USS PRESIDENT HAYES
APA-20
USS PRESIDENT ADAMS
APA-19
USSALHENA
AKA-9
Across the sound from Guadalcanal for the landings on
Tulagi and Gavutu Islands was the Task Group YOKE 62.2.
In this group were the following:
16.
17.
18.
19.
(Lost Nov. 13, 1942)
Page 173
20.
21.
22.
23.
TRANSPORT DIVISION E:
USS NEVILLE
APA-9
USSZEILIN
APA-3
USSHEYWOOD
APA-6
USS PRESIDENT JACKSON APA-18
TRANSPORT DIVISION 12:
USSCOLHOUN
APD-2 (Lost
USS GREGORY
APD-3 (Lost
USS LITTLE
APD-4 (Lost
USS MCKEAN
APD-5 (Lost
Sept. 5, 1942)
Sept. 5, 1942)
Sept. 5, 1942)
Nov. 11, 1943)
In comprising a list such as this it is always possible to
miss certain ships that were involved. Like most events early
in World War Two when a lot of vessels participated there
was not the best communication facilities and censorship
was strongly enforced. At times it was months or many
weeks before navy sources released the names of the ships
involved in operations, especially those that were sunk or
heavily damaged where casualties were involved. If I have
omitted any involved in the initial invasion operation of
Guadalcanal, I apologize as it was not intentional. If you
readers are aware of other U. S. ships involved please let me
know.
In closing I will not forget the Australian Navy. The
HMAS CANBERRA, lost on August 9, 1942, the HMAS
AUSTRALIA and HMAS HOBART they played heroic
roles in the conquest of the Solomons.
Your comments and questions are appreciated. A SASE
to me will bring a prompt response.
My sources of references are as follows:
1. Dictionary of American Naval Fighting Ships.
2. SAVO, By Richard F. Newcomb, Pub. by Holt, Rinehart & Winston.
3. The Guadalcanal Campaign, Historical Branch, Headquarters, U. S. Marine
Corps, Washington, D. C.
4. Once a Marine, A. A. Vandegrift, Ballantine Books.
5. RADM Morison's History of U.S. Naval Operations in WW II.
6. The Battle of Guadalcanal, BGEN Sam Griffith, Pub. by Lippincott.
7. GUADALCANAL by Edwin P. Hoyt, June Books, NYC and others.
Page 174
USCS LOG
Covers Record Coast Guard History
John P. Young (USCS No. 8219) PART III
Since the article "Covers record Coast Guard History"
first appeared in Linn's over two years ago, 1 have acquired
several covers documenting the histories of the Campbell
class cutters.
The Cutter Bibb's (CG 71) keel laying was recorded with a
three line cachet KEEL LA1D/USCG THE BIBB/COAST
GUARD CUTTER, posted on 15 August 1935, Charleston
Navy Yard Branch. The cover may have been sponsored by
Oswood D. Yopp, Savannah, Georgia, as the same lettering
on a two line cachet appears on the rear of the cover. As
previously stated, there must be launch and commissioning
covers of the Bibb out there, since someone took the time to
record the keel laying.
The quad-launching of the four cutters built at the Phila.
Navy Yard was commemorated with a two color (blue and
red) printed cachet sponsored by the Phila. Navy Development Association. The cachet, a three inch shield, with an
outline of the cruising cutter within the shield. The cover was
posted at Phila., Pa. (Navy Yard Station) using a machine
cancel on 3 June 1936. Does anyone have any of these,
posted aboard the Receiving Ship, Phila. or with the hand
cancel of the USS Antares.
Pr,e-World War II covers from the cutters exist, as the
maif orderly or ship's clerk used the cutter's receiving stamp
to cancel requests for postmarks from collectors. None of
the cutters had post offices aboard, until late into the war.
The Cutter Taney, stationed at Honolulu, TH sent a cover
bearing a circular stamp, without killer bars. The stamp
bears the name TANEY on the top of the dial and U.S.
Coast Guard on the bottom. The cover was overpostmarked
at the Mare Island Navy Yard, while the Taney was being
refitted for service with the Navy.
The Cutter Hamilton sent a cover to Taze Nicholson,
using the boxed stamp of the cutter as a cancelling device.
The cover posted aboard the cutter on 25 August 1941, with
U.S.S. Alexander Hamilton, C G . within the stamp and
overpostmarked in Norfolk, VA on 3 September 1941,
might suggest that the cutter was out at sea on patrol
performing weather patrols east of Bermuda (first ocean
station) before being transferred to authority under the
Navy on 11 September 1941. Thanks Taze for recording the
cutter's history on cover.
Another thanks to Rich Hoffner for sending a xerox copy
of one of his covers from the Cutter Ingham. The cover
bearing the cutter's stamp, with the wording U.S. Coast
Guard Cutter'SAMUEL D. INGHAM on the bottom of
the boxed receiving stamp, dated I6JAN 1937 cancelled one
and a half cents of postage stamps. The rear of the cover
bears the postmark (type 3) of the USS Mississippi and
indicates that she was in Bremerton, WA at the time.
I
rr
™l?t;
fj.
23 n
I
JAN tG 1937
DECEMBER, 1984
After Pearl Harbor, the cutters were assigned to North
Atlantic patrols, protecting the convoys to and from
England. While deployed with the Navy, it appears the
cutters started to post their mail. While looking through a
box of old covers, I came across several pieces of mail from
the Cutter Duane. They were cut-down fronts of official
(USCG) no. 10 and no. 12 envelopes, addressed to the
U.S.S. Vulcan (AR 5) and bearing three different type 3z
hand cancels. On the rear of one of the half-covers was a
pencilled message indicating that the Duane's mail orderly,
RM 1/cDupont was given the hand cancel by the Navy Mail
Clerk, aboard the USS Melville (AD 2), late in 1942. The
Melville was relieved by the Vulcan as tender and repair ship
for Neutrality Patrol Ships on 18 November 1942 at
Hvalfjordur (Valley Forge), Iceland.
One final cover recently acquired documented the inactivation of the Cutter Spencer (WPG 36). Thanks to Larry
Briend and the America Chapter, they recorded the cutter's
departure from Governors Island. The cover bears a four
line cachet commemorating the event, posted at Church
Street Station, NY on 15 January 1974. The Spencer went to
CG Yard, Curtis Bay, MD, where she served as an
engineering school until being sold in December, 1981.
As there are cancelled covers from several of the cutters,
I'm sure that covers from the others are out there. Any
members of the USCS having such, the Coast Guard Study
Group would like to hear about it. Send copies to John
Young, USCS #8219, 146 No. Lincoln Avenue, Pearl River,
N.Y. 10965. SEMPER
Fig. 1. CGC Ingham cover bearing receiving stamp.
Fig. 2. CGC Hamilton cover bearing receiving stamp, referring to cutter, as
USS Alexander Hamilton, C G .
Fig. 3. CGC Taney cover with cancellation from the cutter, similar to type 2,
without the killer bars.
Fig. 4. Phila. Navy Development Ass. cachet commemorating the quadlaunching. Cachet (blue), with COGARD emblem and stripes (red).
Fig. 5. Line-drawing of "Campbell" class (1937), cutters were designated to be
328 foot, similar to the "Erie" class gunboat of the Navy.
Fig. 6. Type 3z cancels, used aboard the CGC Duane, while in Iceland
(1942-43).
D. B . C . 0 . 0 . •sua.
HOHOIULD, T . H,
i
1
.;.: : f r i f c ^ ^ C ^ i - ^ - ~
U. S. Coast Guard Cut
SAMUEL D. INGHi
Since the early navophilatelists (late 1930's) send requests
to the newer navy ships, they might have included our Coast
Guard cutters. There may be similar pre-war covers, cancelled with receiving stamps or other similar devices from
the Cutters Bibb, Campbell, Duane, and Spencer. It should
be noted that the Cutter Campbell was in Lisbon, Portugal,
under the direction of the Navy (Sqdrn 40T) from October,
1940 through 25 April 1941. She was relieved by the Cutter
Ingham (no dates) in 1941. Any copies of covers or dupes
would be appreciated by this collector and the study group.
TREASURY
DEPARTMENT
U. S. COAST GUARD
C. G. C. DUANE
BOSTON. MASS.
OirKU-IAI. n U S I K E S S
r
fcMXtTV^On PRIVATE USE T O AVOID
M " A Y h < f O $ \ O F POST ACE, * 3 0 0
Ml
1942
USCS LOG
DECEMBER, 1984
Page 175
Nine Digit Zip Codes
Pearl Harbor/Hawaii Events
Following zips are for the commands, squadrons, groups,
etc., and are presented here through the courtesy of USS
America Chapter #71, and the listing will be continued.
Also, elsewhere in the issue are submarines assigned to
various command units.
Colonel M. J. "Mac" DUBE, USMC, Commanding Officer,
Marine Barracks, Hawaii, Qtrs. 201, Box #5,
Marine Barracks Way, Honolulu, Hawaii 96818
I've had quite a few supportive letters concerning my
comments in the October "LOG". If we didn't accomplish
anything else, at least a few people paid their long overdue
accounts!
Nothing much to report as I've spent another stint in the
hospital. Looks like surgery for me in November so if you
don't hear from me for a while, I'll be back into the Naval
cover business as soon as possible. One particular area we
are thinking of doing is attempting to cover some of the
Pearl Harbor homeported ships' anniversaries. This, of
course requires the services of a capable artist. We'll be
looking around and will see what we can provide.
Again this year, we'll have a "Day of Infamy" 7 December
cover and we will attempt to have it cancelled on board as
many ships as possible on that day. We'll also have
cancellations at the Submarine Base as well as here at Pearl
Harbor on the day we remember the 1941 attack on Pearl
Harbor.
We inadvertently left out the prices on the covers listed in
the October issue. All four covers bearing rubber stamps
cachets are .75 unless otherwise noted. Our printed covers
normally go for $ 1.00 except in discounted larger lots. Sorry
for the confusion. Business will probably pick up around the
holidays. No special events such as decommissionings are
scheduled here in the near future.
As soon as we hear of any events, we'll give you a heads-up
on what we expect to cover. In the interim, if any of you have
any requests for us to cover special events on ships based at
Pearl Harbor, please let me know and I'll see what we can
develop to assist you.
We have programs of the Marine Barracks' Navy Day
Parade which took place on 12 October with Vice Admiral
Kinnebrew as the reviewing officer. Also, we'll have programs of our Marine Corps' 209th anniversary parade on 8
November. Marine Barracks, Hawaii put on both of these
parades. Aloha — Let's hear from you.
U N I T NAME
COMMANDER C R U I S E R
DESTROYER
CCMCRUDESGRU O N I
COHCRUDBSGRQ W O
COMCRUDESGRU THREE
COMCRUDESGRU F I V E
COHCRUDBSGRQ S I G H T
COMCRUDESGRO TWELVE
COMMANDER DESTROYER
COMDESROM
COMDESRON
COMDESROM
COMDESROM
COHDSSWM
COMDESROM
COMDESRON
COMDESROM
COMDESROM
COMDESROM
COMDESROM
COMDESROM
COMDESROM
COMDESROM
COMDESRON
COMDESROM
COMDESRON
COMDESRON
COMDESRON
COMDESRON
COMDESRON
COMDESRON
COMDESRON
COMDESRON
COMDESROM
CODE
FPO
FPO
FPO
FPC
FPO
FPO
SF
MX
SF
SF
NY
MI
96601-4700
34099-4701
96601-4702
96601-4703
09501-4704
34099-4705
PPO
PPO
FPO
FPO
PPO
PPO
PPO
FPO
PPO
PPO
PPO
PPO
PPO
PPO
FPO
FPO
FPO
PPO
FPO
FPO
FPO
PPO
FPO
FPO
PPO
NY
HI
SF
MI
SF
MI
SF
NY
MX
SF
MI
SF
SF
MI
SF
NY
SF
MX
SF
NY
SF
NY
SF
SF
MI
09501-4706
34099-4707
96601-4701
34099-4709
96601-4710
34099-4711
96601-4712
09501-4713
34099-4714
96601-4715
34099-4716
96601-4717
96601-4711
34099-4719
96601-4720
09501-4721
96601-4722
34099-4723
96601-4724
09501-4725,
94601-4726
09501-4727
96601-4721
96601-4729
34099-4730
SF
NY
MI
NY
SF
NY
NY
m
FPO NY
96601-5203
09501-5204
34099-5205
09501-5206
96601-5207
09501-5201
09501-5209
59501-5210
W50W201
SQUADRON
TWO
FOUR
FIVE
SIX
Sevan
SIGHT
NINE
TEN
TWELVE
THIRTEEN
FOURTEEN
FIFTEEN
SEVENTEEN
TWENTY
TWENTY ONE
TWENTY TWO
TWENTY THREE
TWENTY FOUR
TWENTY F I V E
TWENTY S I X
THIRTY ONE
THIRTY TWO
THIRTY THREE
THIRTY F I V E
THIRTY S I X
COMMANDER SUBMARINE
COMSUERON
COMSUHRON
COMSOBROM
COMSUERON
COMSUERON
COMSUERON
COMSUBRON
COMSUERON
COMSUBRON
IIP
GROUP
SQUADRON
ONE
TWO
POUR
SIX
SEVEN
BIGBT
TEN
FOURTEEN
TWENTY TWO
PPO
PPO
PPO
FPO
FPO
PPO
FPO
no
COMMANDER MINE GROUP
COMINEGRU
TWO
COMMANDER MINE
COMINEDIV FIFTY ONE
C O M I N E D I V F I F T Y TWO
C O M I N E D I V F I P T Y THREE
C O M I N E D I V F I F T Y FOUR
C O M I N E D I V ONE TWENTY ONE
C O M I N E D I V ONE TWENTY THREE
C O M I N E D I V ONE TWENTY F I V E
C O M I N E D I V ONE TWENTY S I X
COMMANDER S E R V I C E
COMMANDBR S E R V I C E
FPO
FPO
PPO
PPO
FPO
PPO
FPO
FPO
96601-5301
96601-5302
98799-5303
96601-5304
09501-5305
09501-5306
34099-5307
34099-5304
SF
SF
SB
SF
NY
NY
MI
MI
PPO SF 9 6 6 0 1 - 5 3 0 9
PPO NY 0 9 5 0 1 - 5 3 1 0
TWO
THREE
FOUR
FIVE
FPO
FPO
FPO
FPO
NY
SF
NY
SF
09501-5311
96601-5312
09501-5313
96601-5314
GROUP
COHPHIBGRU ONE
COMPNIBGRU TWO
FPO SF 9 6 6 0 1 - 6 0 0 6
FPO NY 0 9 6 0 1 - 6 0 0 7
COMMANDER A M P H I B I O U S
SQUADRON
ONE
TWO
THREE
POUR
FIVE
SIX
SEVEN
BIGBT
SF
NY
SF
NY
SF
NY
S>V
fffO NY
96601-5800
09501-5801
96601-5802
09501-5803
96601-5804
09501-5805
96*FJl-5»tt6
09S01-580?
PPO
PPO
PPO
PPO
FPO
PPO
FPO
FPO
SF
NY
SF
NY
SF
MI
SF
NY
96601-4301
09501-4302
96601-4303
09501-4304
96601-4305
34099-4306
96601-4307
09501-4308
COHCARSTKFORSHVENTHFLT
PPO SF
96601-6005
COrtlDBASTPOE
PPO NY 0 9 5 0 1 - 6 0 0 6
COMMANDER CARRIER
COHCARGRO
COMCARGRO
COHCARGRO
COHCARGRU
COMCARGRO
COHCARGRU
COHCARGRU
COHCARGRU
USS Springfield Chapter Report
SQUADRON
COMMANDER AMPHIBIOUS
COHPBIBROM
COMPBIBRON
COMPHIBRON
COMPHIBRON
COMPBIBRON
COMPBIBRON
COMPBIBRON
COMPBIBRON
34099-5300
GROUP
COMSERGRD CNB
COMSERGRU TWO
COMSEVRON
COMSEVRON
COMSEVRON
COMSEVRON
FPO MI
DIVISION
FPO
PPO
FPO
FPO
FPO
FPO
no
GRQUF
ORB
TWO
THREE
FOUR
FIVE
SIX
SEVEN
EIGHT
COHNAVSUPPFORANTARCTICA
COHNAVSUPPFORANTARCTICA
COMNAVSURFGRU WEST PAC
COHNAVSURPGRU FOUR
COHNAVSURFRON ONE
PPO
FPO
FPO
FPO
SF
SF
SF
NY
SF
96601-6010
96601-7002
96601-6011
09501-6012
96601-6013
COHP ATRECONFORS EV ENTBF1.T
COMPATHING TWO
FPO SB
SF
98768-4300
96601-4415
COMPBIBREADYGRU A SEVENTH F L T
COHPHIBREAGYGRU B SEVENTH F L T
PPO
96601-7000
96601-7001
D E T PORBUE
r?o
rro
SF
PPO SF
All hands reported present at our 21 Oct. 1984 meeting in
our cachet Director's home on a murky, overcast day. As
usual, the meeting was called to order with the ringing of a
small, brass bell (a replica of a ship's bell) by Pres. Ed.
Lendzioszek followed by reports and the clearance of
correspondence. Stan Munkittrick advised that he would be
leaving for Germany to be with his son Mark during the
Holidays and that he intended to return around the middle
of January. It was also decided that our annual Christmas
party would take place in Greenfield, Mass. on 2 December
providing we were not hit again with a blizzard like last year.
The general discussion period was followed by a nice display
of naval covers and related material by Stan, Gene Mason
and Frank Biza. Following the coffee break, Ray Munkittrick displayed an old Colliers pictorial history of the U.S.
NAVY that his Son had given him — a large volume of
drawings and photographs of the "Old Navy" that interested
everyone. Before adjourning, we decided to release a
cacheted cover of the battleship Minnesota (BB-22) as
illustrated. This latest of our Operation "Remember" covers
is available for $.50c each plus an SASE from the USS
SPRINGFIELD CHAPTER, P.O. Box M, Ludlow, Mass.
01056.
Page 176
USCS LOG
The Postal History of the USS Patoka
by Robert Clark (Cont'd from February 1984 LOG)
Special flight mail from the USS LOS ANGELES (ZR-3)
also passed through the USS PATOKA. On 21 Febr. 1925,
the airship was scheduled to moor to the USS PATOKA
standing off Hamilton, Bermuda, but storms in the area
made it impossible to hook up. Mail from New York (2/19
and 2/20) consisting of 2,341 pieces plus a few others
postmarked at Lakehurst at the last minute was dropped
and backstamped at the local post office. A second flight
from Lakehurst resulted in a successful mooring to the USS
PATOKA on 22 April 1929 with mail carried both directions. Three sacks of mail weighing about 100 pounds were
dispatched from Bermuda via the USS PATOKA for the
return trip, with additional mail bearing U.S. postage
cancelled on the PATOKA.
Early in May of the same year, the ZR-3 made a flight to
Mayaguez, Puerto Rico, where she again moored to the
USS PATOKA. About 200 pounds of mail was carried
southbound dated 27 April "Air Mail Service — New
York." Mail carried on the return flight bore various
postmarks of towns in Puerto Rico, principally San Juan,
between 6 and 8 May. Some covers bear the markings of the
USS PATOKA dated 7 May with "MAYAGUEZ/ PORTO
RICO" in the killer bars and an odd-shaped boxed cachet
reading "AIRMAIL/VIA/USS LOS ANGELES." All
northbound mail was backstamped at City Hall Sta., New
York, on II May, 4 P.M., 1925.
During 1932, the newly acquired rigid USS AKRON
(ZRS-4) operated with the USS PATOKA, making use of
her mast in January off Hampton Roads, VA. Covers
showing the PATOKA's association with this airship were
the May 1932 Atlantic to Pacific night of the USS AKRON
which visited San Francisco on 12 May (Junior Chamber of
Commerce rubber-stamped cachet in blue) and Los Angeles
on 11 June (Chamber of Commerce printed cachet in blue).
The decommissioning of the USS LOS ANGELES on 30
June and the loss of the USS AKRON in a storm at sea in
August of 1933 foretold a rest for the USS PATOKA.
Although the USS MACON (ZRS-5) was still operational,
the USS PATOKA was decommissioned at Puget Sound
Navy Yard on 31 August 1933 (CRD R.H. Horner, CO.)
The mobile mast provided by the USS PATOKA gave the
airships much more mobility and far greater usefulness to
the fleet but its use was not without problems. Mooring
could only be accomplished in sheltered waters and it was
found that a moored airship had to be "flown" while
attached to the mast. That meant kept under at least partial
power with the controls manned so that the tail would not
dip into the water with potentially disasterous results. It was
finally recommended that PATOKA's mast only be used in
emergencies.
On 11 Oct. 1939, the USS PATOKA's classification was
changed to seaplane tender (AV-9) and on 10 Nov. the
PATOKA was recommissioned at Puget Sound Navy Yard
under CDR C.A.F. Sprague and assigned to Patrol Wing 5
of the Scouting Force. She departed Bremerton on 18 Jan.
1940 and after taking on fuel and cargo at San Pedro, she
sailed for Norfolk (25 March) with a stop at San Diego (31
Jan.-5 Febr.). During a four-month stay at the Norfolk
Navy Yard, her designation was reclassified as AO-9 and she
was assigned to the Naval Transportation Service on 19
June.
At some time after early 1940, the mooring mast was
removed but records do not state when. Photographic
evidence show its presence in February and it is assumed
that the removal took place in Norfolk sometime between
March and August 1940. Between August 1940 and December 1941, she delivered fuel oil and general cargo to various
units of the Fleet in the Atlantic, Gulf, Caribbean, and
South American areas.
DECEMBER, 1984
December 7, 1941 found the USS PATOKA at Recife,
Brazil, where she served as a combination tanker (fuel oil,
diesel, lube oil, gasoline), cargo, stores, and repair ship for
the units of Task Force 3 (later 23). During early January
1942 she patrolled the shipping lanes off Bahia before
making numerous trips lifting fuel and supplies between
Puerto Rico and Trinidad to the Fleet in Brazil which lasted
into the spring of 1943. From May to August 1943 she
underwent overhaul at Norfolk and then returned to
operations along the coast of South America including a trip
in April 1944 when she carried 62 prisoners of war (German
naval and merchant marine personnel) from Rio de Janeiro
to Recife where they were turned over to the U.S. Army.
During April - June 1945 she was again in Norfolk for
overhaul before departing via the Panama Canal for Pearl
Harbor. Once in Hawaii, she was outfitted for duty as a
minecraft tender and was reclassified AG-125 on 15 August.
Shortly thereafter, the USS PATOKA sailed via Guam for
Okinawa, reaching Buchner Bay on 5 Sept. Anchoring in
Wakayama, Japan, on 23 Sept., the PATOKA continued to
provide logistic support to units of the 5th Fleet, servicing
mine vessels of Task Group 52.6. The USS PATOKA
remained with occupation forces until the spring of 1946
before returning to the U.S. on 10 March 1946.
Only 1 July 1946, the USS PATOKA was decommissioned and transferred to the War Shipping Administration.
She was struck from the Navy List on 31 July and sold to
Duhen Steel Products Co. for scrap on 15 March 1948
ending an exciting and varied existence of thirty years. Her
post office (1919-1933, 1939-1946) used a number of different cancelling devices over the years.
SOURCES OF INFORMATION
American Air Mail Catalogue. 1966. 4th Ed., Vol. One, pp. 365-367.
Bureau of Ships, Navy Department. 1945. Ships' Data, U.S. Naval Vessels.
NAVSHIP 250-012, Vol. Ill, Government Printing Office, pp. 170-175.
Dictionary of American Naval Fighting ships. 1970. Historical Sketches —
Letters N through Q, Vol. V, Government Printing Office, pp. 226-227.
Dowle, A H . , and J. Russell. 1963. Catalog of United States Naval Postmarks.
Vol. II. pp. 96-98.
Layman, R.D. 1979. Ask Inforser: Question 40/79. Warships International 31:
379-383.
McPherson, D. 1976. The Flag Bag. USCS LOG 43:146.
McPherson, D. 1976. The Flag Bag. USCS LOG 45:171.
Silverstone, P H . 1970. U.S., Warships of World War I. Doubleday & Co.,
Garden City, N.Y. p. 216.
Silverstone, P.H. 1970. U.S. Warships of World War II. Doubleday & Co.,
Garden City, N.Y. p. 317.
Vesper, B.M. 1981. Navy Queen of the Sky. USCS LOG 49:255-256.
ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Robert C. Clark, Jr. (USCS 6251) is president of the USS PUGET SOUND
Chapter No. 74 of the University Ship Cancellation society in Seattle,
Washington. He writes a monthly column for the USCG LOG on Puget Sound
Happenings and has been a stamp and cover collector since he was 8 years
old. As a research oceanographer at the Northwest and Alaska Fisheries
Center of the National Marine Fisheries Service (NOAA) responsible for
research on the biological fate and effect of oil pollution in the sea, his
maritime collecting specialty of tankers and naval oilers, such as the USS
PATOKA, is a natural.
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USCS LOG
Page 177
Cachet Comments
POSTAL CANCELS FROM THE USS PATOKA
Post Office Aboard: 10Nov. 1919-31 Aug. 1933,15Dec. 1939-25 Apr. 1946.
Cancels used: 1924 3rs(AC), 19289: 19295s; 19325hks,5bhks; 1933 3(B-BBT)
1939 3r(A-BBT), 3r, 9v, 9x, 9fw, F(P-7); 19443z; 1945 3(A-BBT), 27 Oct. — first
day name cancels authorized after World War II: Various 9uz plus special first
and last day cancels. Vessel name: town and river in southwestern Indiana
which flows westward to the Wabash River.
FIG. 1. USS SHENANDOAH (ZR-1) mooring to the USS PATOKA (AO-9) for
the first time on 9 August 1924 in Narragansett Bay, Rl. National Archives
photograph 80-G-460516. (In February LOG.)
FIG. 2. USS LOS ANGELES (ZR-3) flight from Mayaguez, Puerto Rico, to New
York showing the type 3rs(AC) cancel from the USS PATOKA.
FIG. 3. USS AKRON (ZR-4) Atlantic to Pacific Flight of May - June 1932. San
Francisco cachet shows the top of the USS PATOKA's mooring mast in front of
the airship's bow; the covers were cancelled with a type 5s (note 3 dashes in
bottom of circle) containing "SANFRANCISCO/CALIF" in the killer bars.
FIG. 4. After decommissioning on 31 August 1933 (type 5hks dater with bars
from 3r), the USS PATOKA was held in reserve at the Puget Sound Navy Yard
in Bremerton.
FIG. 5. The Post Office on the USS PATOKA was official reestablished three
weeks after recommissioning as denoted by the type 3r(A-BBT) cancel with
"1ST DAY OF/P.O. SERVICE" in the killer bars. The cachet was prepared by
Howard Roloff, the current Treasurer of the USS PUGET SOUND Chapter No.
74oftheU.S.C.S.
FIG. 6. A postal card from the USS PATOKA (AG-125) as the minecraft tender
in Wakayama, Japan, after the end of World War II.
FIG. 7. Several different cancels were used on collectors' covers on the First
Day that the USS PATOKA's Post Office was reestablished, for instance, the
type 3r(A-BBT) without words in the killer bars, the type 9x (Parcel Post, and
type 9v (Registered).
FIG. 8. Several different cancels were used when the USS PATOKA was
recommissioned on 10 Nov. 1939. The type 3r(A-BBT) read "1ST DAY RE-/COMMISSION" in the killer bars while the fancy type (P-7) read "FIRSTDAY
RE-/-COMMISSION."
Frank D. Selesky, 118 Sioux Dr., Greensburg, PA 15601
This month 1 have several new cachets to report but first I
would like to mention that this will be my last article. I'd like
to extend my thanks and appreciation to all the people who
have submitted information to CACHET COMMENTS.
Any material received will be forwarded if applicable.
Due to the amount of material for this month 1 will
attempt to be brief in the description of cachets.
Fellow member Walter Grabowy has sponsored the
following two cachets:
USCGC COWSLIP WLB 277, an Offshore Buoy Tender,
is using a medium sized circular cachet featuring the Coast
Guard symbol of crossed anchors in the center. The double
border contains the wording 'USCG CUTTER COWSLIP'
and 'WLB - 277'. Send your covers with a polite request to
the Commanding Officer, USCGC COWSLIP WLB 277,
4000 Coast Guard Blvd., Portsmouth, Va. 23703.
USCGC MALLOW WLB 396, an Offshore Buoy Tender,
has a cachet identical to the one provided for the USCGC
COWSLIP described.above. The difference is found in the
cutter's name and hull number. Send to the Commanding
Officer, USCGC MALLOW WLB 396, FPO San Francisco, Ca. 96672.
Member Bob Gorda has reported that the USNS
PASSU M PSIC TAO 107, an Oiler of the M ispillion class is
using a new cachet. The small circular cachet has an inner
circle of chain containing an eagle gripping an anchor. The
outer circle of rope surrounds the wording 'USNS
PASSUMPSIC T-AO 107' in the upper section and 'MILITARY SEALIFT COMMAND' in the bottom. Send no
more than two covers to the Master, USNS PASSUMPSIC
TAO 107, FPO San Francisco, Ca. 96675.
Robert C. Clark has submitted a list of new or modified
cachets which USS PUGET SOUND chapter has presented
to the units involved. Because of space limitations I will not
offer a description of the cachets.
USS RANGER CV 61, Aircraft Carrier of the Forrestal
class, cachet modified by R.C. Clark, Jr. FPO San Francisco, Ca. 96633.
USS SACRAMENTO AOE I, a Fast Combat Support
Ship class leader, cachet modified by R.C. Clark, Jr. FPO
Seattle, Wa. 98799.
USS FLORIDA SSBN 728, a Nuclear Strategic Missile
Submarine of the Ohio class, cachet designed bv Don
Abrahamson. FPO Seattle, Wa. 98799.
USCG AIR STATION ASTORIA, cachet designed by
Don Abrahamson. Commanding Officer, PO Box 950,
Warrenton, Or. 97146.
NOAA Ship MURRIE II, cachet designed by Charles R.
Hitz. Pacific Marine Center, National Ocean Services. 1801
Fairview Ave. E. Seattle. Wa. 98102.
This month I would like to thank Bob Gorda. Walter
Grabowy, Bob Clark and USS PUGET SOUND chapter.
I'd like to take this opportunity to wish you all a very
happy holiday season. The following is a cachet you may
have missed:
USS SNOOK SSN 592, Nuclear Attack Submarine, FPO
NEW YORK, NY 09587.
From The Book Deck
By Frank Lamb
"Course 095 to Eternity" by E. E. Overshiner, is the title of
the latest book concerning the Point Honda incident and it's
available from The Tincan Sailor, Battleship Cove. Fall
River, MA 02721 for $5.95 postpaid.
USCGC POLAR STAR METALLIC EMBLEMS %" in
full relief & OLYMPIC PATROL emblems. $3.00
each. Coast Guard printed slash 6% envelopes at
.120: ea. or bx. of 500 at $50.00. Marine Photos Box
425, Spring Valley, CA 92077.
Page 178
USCS LOG
Puget Sound Happenings
Robert C. Clark, Jr. (USCS 6251)
The Seattle-based National Reserve Fleet ocean-going
minesweeper USS ESTEEM (MSO-438) went to sea this
summer asa U.S. Navy representative to the R I M P A C 8 4
maritime exercise off Hawaii. A deployment cachet by
Chapter President Robert Clark was used by YN1 Doug
Berkey, the PAO, when he mailed a two-cover set for the
Chapter. The first cover received the Honolulu 19 June
machine cancel and the second had the Seattle return arrival
with the Stamp Collecting machine slogan of 8 Sept. Five
"Rim of the Pacific" nations sent 80 ships, 250 aircraft, and
more than 50,000 sailors, airmen, and marines to Southern
California and mid-Pacific areas in June as part of exercise
R1MPAC84. This was the ninth in a series of significant
international maritime exercises of the same name and the
third to include Japanese units of the Maritime Self Defence
Force, as well as units from Australia, New Zealand,
Canada, and the US. The aim of the exercise, is to improve
the tactical capabilities of participating nations and enhance
international maritime understanding.
Bay City Marine of San Diego, CA and Tacoma, WA
launched the USCGC PENOBSCOT BAY (WTGB-107) in
late July at their Tacoma shipyard which is leased from
Tacoma Boatbuilding who had already built and delivered
the4>first six of the class. Launch covers were prepared by
Chapter Secretary Lou Parker using a Don Abrahamson
design. Carolyn Mackay, the Tacoma yard's accounting
manager and wife of the general manager, was the sponsor
of the $15 million icebreaking tug. The 140-foot tug was the
first ship launched by Bay City's Tacoma yard and the
largest vessel the minority-owned San Diego-based company has constructed. Bay City uses zone outfitting methods
in which the boats are built in sections indoors and later
joined to create the finished product. Commissioning was at
the company's headquarters in San Diego in early
November.
The City of Seattle's new fireboat, the CHIEF SEATTLE, was christened at Nichols Brothers Boat Yard in
Freeland, Whidbey Island, WA on 17 August. The Seattle
Fire Department's $2.1 million, high-speed fireboat, the
city's first in more than 57 years, will replace the slow,
75-year-old DUWAMISH. Christening covers were all
autographed by three of the Nichols family who built the
96.5-foot boat. It was designed by Nickum and Spaulding
Associates for heavy duty firefighting (8,000 gal/min) as
well as providing emergency medical services. A second
cover also designed and serviced by Robert Clark, was
prepared for the boat's arrival ceremonies on 2 October at
Seattle's Waterfront Park. The covers received the first day
of use of the new single circle handcancel of the philatelic
coordinator (98109).
The new HMAS DARWIN (FFG 04) got under full
power on 31 August for a Shakedown Cruise under the
command of CMDR R. "Rick" J. Bayley, RAN, and his
Royal Australian Navy crew when the guided missile frigate
departed Pier 36 for a day's trials in Puget Sound. Our
contact, Leading Seaman, Radar Plotter Bob Montague,
carried Chapter covers and serviced a number with different
departmental markings which were then cancelled with
Seattle's Terminal Annex handcancel.
The Washington State Ferry M V CHELAN had been put
into service without a formal christening or dedication
cruise as had the other five vessels in the ISSAQU AH class
so covers using the Dick Weber-designed cachet were
carried onboard recently. These covers received the International Association of Machinists and Aerospace Workers
Convention Station (98101) cancel. Chapter Cover Sales
still have some of the previous ferry covers available (11
varieties.)
DECEMBER, 1984
The West Coast portion of the NOAA National Status
and Trends Program started in September onboard the
research cruise of the 175-foot NOAA Ship McARTHUR
(S-330; CDR K. Lilly, CO). Two different Chief Scientists'
autographed covers are available from Long Beach (machine cancel) and San Francisco (North Beach handcancel).
This multi-year sampliing program compares the health of
bottom fishes to the contaminant content of sediments in
estuaries and coastal waters of the U.S. The printed
operations cachet was from the Environmental Conservation Division of the National Marine Fisheries Service's
Northwest and Alaska Fisheries Center in Seattle.
While working in Coos Bay, Oregon from the
McARTHUR, the chief scientist serviced a postal card at
the U.S. Coast Guard Coos Bay Station (Motor Life Boat
INTREPID; Group Coos Bay; BMCM H.C. Ocoboch, Jr.,
CO) with the Charleston, OR, CPO (Coos Bay) self-inking
handcancel. The First Day of Use of the new 13th U.S.
Coast Guard District (Commander's Office; Henry M.
Jackson Federal Building) was on 28 Sept., the 130th
anniversary of the arrival of the first Revenue Service cutter,
JEFFERSON DAVIS, in Puget Sound at Port Townsend
in 1854. The design was from the front of the Change of
Command program for the 13th District Chief of Staff in
June; the 5-year-old previous Chapter-donated 13th District
cachet was applied on the reverse. The cover was cancelled
with the aquatic motif SEAPEX '84 Station cancel.
The USCGC NORTHLAND (WMEC-904), the last of
four Tacoma Boatbuilding Company-built medium endurance cutters to leave Puget Sound departed Seattle's Pier 36
on 12 Sept. Chapter Treasurer Howard Roloff, Don
Abrahamson, and Robert Clark serviced Day of Departure
covers for the 270-foot, twin ALCO diesel-powered cutter
under the command of CDR John A. Bastek former 14th
District Legal Officer. The motto selected by the crew is
"Serving the Present to Honor the Past." Following training
in Southern California, the USCGC NORTHLAND will
transit the Panama Canal and head for her Portsmouth, VA
homeport for a December Formal Commissioning Ceremony.
The USS PUGET SOUND Chapter wishes you a Happy
Holiday Season and smooth sailin' until next month.
All covers noted above are $.50 each plus a SASE #10
envelope, from USS PUGET SOUND CHAPTER, Cover
Sales, P. O. Box 1279, Auburn, WA 98071.
Military Sealift Command
Cover Service Available
It has been almost 10 years since I provided coverage of
the Military Sealift Command ships for USCS members.
Therefore, I'm once again going to cover the MSC as a four
month project in early 1985.
There are currently about 80 ships in the MSC which I will
cover at the rate of 20 ships per month starting January 10,
1985.
There is no cachet applied by me. All markings will be
applied by the MSC. While some covers will be swallowed
up by the ships, about 90-95% of the covers should be
returned.
To join this service, just send 20 fully prepared covers
(only #6 % envelopes, addressed and stamped; or addressed
postal cards) and a $2.00 service charge to G. R. Benz, 9416
Lakeshore Road, Angola, NY 14006 by the 10th of January,
February, March, and April. If you prefer, you may send all
80 covers and the $8.00 service charge to reach me by
January 10th.
DECEMBER, 1984
Page 179
USCS LOG
The Proud Little Cargo Ship
by George Wildes, 14 Riverdale Rd., Westerly, RI 02891
During World War II, the Maritime Administration
constructed numerous auxiliary cargo vessels of C1-M-A V1
design for the U.S. Navy. These vessels, 339 ft. in length,
were designed to be used as inter-island shuttles for military
cargoes. With cruising ranges of 14,500 miles at 11 kts., they
would receive cargo from much larger Victory and Liberty
ships for delivery to U.S. forces at small, outlying islands.
One such vessel was USS DODDRIDGE (AK-176). Named
for the county in West Virginia, she was built by Froemming
Brothers, Inc., in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, but never saw
service with the Navy. By the time she was completed, the
war had ended and her U.S. Navy construction contract was
cancelled on 16 August 1945. Her name was changed to
COASTAL MESSENGER by the Maritime Administration and she was completed at a cost of $2,225,000 for use as
a commercial merchant vessel.
She was operated during the late '40s by both Standard
Fruit Steamship Co. and Grace Line Inc., mostly between
the U.S. and northern South America. It was on a South
American trip that she nearly met disaster. On 28 April
1949, after unloading her cargo, she ran aground at La
Salina on Lake Maracaibo, Venezuela. It took 11 days to
free her. Although she managed to proceed to the United
States under her own power, records show that she suffered
extensive, though minor, damage.
COASTAL MESSENGER was taken over by the State
Department in 1951 for use as the first sea-going radio
station for the Voice of America. Her primary mission was
to receive VOA broadcasts from the states and rebroadcast
them to listeners throughout the Near and Middle East as
part of the "cause of truth to make men free." The
renovation of COASTAL MESSENGER, which was given
the codename "Operation Vagabond," was a joint project of
the U.S. Information Agency and U.S. Coast Guard. The
US1A was responsible for programming and maintenance
of the electronics equipment and the Coast Guard was
responsible for the secure floating platform. The "vagabond" vessel was renamed COURIER and sent to the
Bethlehem Steel Company's shipyard in Hoboken, N.J. for
appropriate modifications.
The Collins Radio Co. of Cedar Rapids, Iowa was
contracted to design and manufacture the necessary advanced transceiving equipment required. The equipment
was to be 3 times as powerful as the largest shore-based
radio station at that time. The transmitters were installed on
cork filler pads to isolate the vibration of the ship's engines,
and gimble-mounted turntables allowed the playing of
recordings despite the movement of the vessel. Installations
were completed on 15 February 1952 and she was commissioned as the CG cutter COURIER (WAGR-410) on the
same date. Following her commissioning in Hoboken, her
official Naval post office was established and she sailed for
the nation's capitol for dedication by President Truman.
At the dedication ceremony on 4 March 1952, the
President said: "COURIER is well named, for it will be
carrying a message of hope and friendship to all those who
are oppressed by tyranny; it will be carrying a message of
truth and light to those who are confused by the storm of
falsehood that the Communists have loosed upon the world.
Its significance lies in the fact that it will carry the fight for
freedom to where the ultimate victory has to be won-in the
mines of men."
On 8 March, COU RIE R sailed for tests and evaluation of
her new equipment to Venezuela, Columbia, Panama, and
Mexico; arriving back at New York on 18 June. During this
time, COURIER proved to be the most versatile and one of
the most effective weapons developed to promote the
Campaign of Truth.
Permanent shore-side radio stations replaced the need for
COURIER and her transmissions ceased on 17 May 1964.
She returned to the United States on 13 August, and her
Naval post office was disestablished. She was moved to the
Coast Guard Reserve Training Center in Yorktown, Va. and
placed "out-of-commission, in reserve" on 22 August. Her
postal clerks had used both type 2 and type 9 fu Naval
cancels while her post office had been established.
She remained at Yorktown for nearly a year while the
Coast Guard pondered her fate. During this time, she was
used for dockside training in cargo handling and merchant
marine safety. Then, early in 1965, the service decided she
would be ideal for use as a floating mobile support base for
port security reserve units. The ship was refurbished and, on
30 April 1966, was recommissioned as COURIER (WTR410). her homeport remained Yorktown.
As a reserve training ship, COURIER spent much of each
year visiting ports along the Atlantic and Gulf coasts and on
the Great Lakes. At each port. Coast Guard reservists would
come aboard for two weeks of intensive training that would
enable them to safeguard U.S. ports in the event of war or
other emergency.
On 4 October 1972, the proud little cargo ship was
decommissioned for the second and final time and returned
to the Maritime Admiminstration for final disposal. She
was replaced by UNIMARK. (WTR-379).
A 5c postage stamp (Sc#1329) was issued on 1 August
1967, in Washington, D.C. to commemorate the 25th.
anniversary of the radio branch of the U.S. Information
Agency.
Accumulating postal history from Coast Guard units is an
exciting aspect of the collecting interests of the members
that belong to the Universal Ship Cancellation Society
(USCS). For further information about Coast Guard philately and this fascinating hobby, contact this author or John
Young, who leads the Coast Guard Study Group, at the
address shown on page 166 of this issue of the LOG. Photo,
cancels and covers courtesy of the Editor. And, if you ever
visit the James River Reserve Fleet, the ex COURIER is
plainly visible in one of the many ranks of ships anchored
there.
Photo: Courtesy Editor's Collection
Cachet Cancels: Courtesy John Young
Page 180
USCS LOG
DECEMBER, 1984
Decatur Chapter Convention
Auction Donations
PORTS&HARDORS
V W N * V W S A ^ ^ A A ^ A ^ ^ M ^ W V ^ V ^
The 64,000-ton M / V AURORA made her maiden voyage
to the Port of Houston last month. She is the first ZimAmerica vessel to fly the US flag.
Finns Point Rear Range Lighthouse, Pennsville, NJ has
been restored and reopened its doors as a historic landmark,
as pictured. It guided ships through the Upper Delaware
Bay from 1877 to 1950.
The Army Corps of Engineers dredge MC FARLAND
has been working several ranges in the Delaware River. An
SSAE to the editor will bring you a lengthy newspaper
article of her operating characteristics and history.
USS GUADALCANAL (LPH-7) recently returned from
her post yard trials, while the USS LEXINGTON (AVT-16)
entered the Philadelphia Navy Yard for an $83 million
overhaul. Illustrated elsewhere are covers from these events.
I recently attended a meeting of the local Steamship
Historical Society of America chapter aboard the Philadelphia fireboat M/V DELAWARE (Marine #15), arid, while
they don't have a cachet or rubber stamp corner card, the
pilot signed a cover for me. Next year will be her 35th
anniversary, at which time a rubber-stamp cachet will be
available. This column will let you know when it's available.
The USNS SOUTHERN CROSS (T-AK-285) has entered Penn Ship's facility at West Chester, PA for an
overhaul, with repairs expected to be completed by February 13, 1985.
Living near Cheapeake Bay, I have found that various
events and fairs around the Bay many times have some type
of military craft present for open house. Two such craft this
year included the US Army tug T-512 and the oceanographic vessel USS YP-654. The former is a reservist
training vessel operating out of Baltimore, while the latter is
normally based at the Naval Academy.
*
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DREDGE McFARLAND
Corps of Engineers
Dredge
Mc FAREA^D
Working Ranges
New Castle &
Reedy Island
In Delaware River
Near C&D Canal
George Marcincin, Show Chairman
Decatur Chapter wishes to thank the following USCS
members who have made generous donations to the Decatur
Chapter convention auction fund: Jan Van Lancker, George
R. Benz, Frank Lamb, Rich Hoffner, Jim Klinger, Lewis E.
Klotzback, Robert Quintero, Alden R. Richardson and
Arthur Donaldson.
Decatur Chapter will hold two special auctions for the 85
convention, one a floor auction at the convention, and the
other a mail auction which will be published in the LOG.
Donations may be sent to R. D. Rawlins, P.O. Box 981,
Healdsburg, CA 95448.
The chapter is also running a series of monthly auctions,
with the proceeds going to f he convention, for a copy of this
auction, send your name to Decatur Auction, 2209 Brighton
St., Phila., PA 19149.
Keep the weekend of July 19, 20 and 21, 1985 open, and
join us in Valley Forge, PA for the USCS International
Convention.
Information for the convention is available from the show
chairmen at 128 E. Main Street, Fleetwood, PA 19522.
The Great Lakes Navy
C. Pieczynski, 52 Sandy Ln., Cheektowaga, NY 14227
About half of the U.S. men-o-war on Lake Ontario in the
War of 1812 were converted merchantmen. The other half
were built as warships by expert shipbuilder Henry Eckford
at the U.S. Naval Base at Sacketts Harbor, NY. The ships he
did build at this time were not the small schooners and brigs
like used on Lake Erie but full size frigates, corvettes and
ships-of-the-line.
The Smallest of these were the MADISON at 503 tons
and 30 guns and fhe twin brigs JONES and JEFFERSON at
509 tons and 20 guns each. The two latter having 16 42pdr
carranades each. All three ships saw every major action on
that lake in the war with MADISON as flagship of the
squadron in 1813. After the war they were all laid up and
eventually sold.
GENERAL PIKE was formerly named GOLIATH. She
was 145' long and 875 tons armed with 26 24pdrs. Her most
notable action took place against the HMS ROYAL
GEORGE on 28 September 1813 in a heated battle that
ended in a draw. The Frigate MOHAWK was built in 34
days. She was 155' feet, 1350 tons and armed with 26 24 pdrs
and 16 32 pdrs. MOHAWK served with Yeo's squadron on
the lake until found unfit in 1821. SUPERIOR weighed in at
1580 tons was 195' long armed with 30 32pdrs, 26 42pdrs,
and 2 24pdrs. She saw the same action as all the other ship
on the lake.
Finally, two ships-of-the-line were authorized in 1813 and
laid down in January 1815. They were the NEW ORLEANS
and the CHIPPEWA. Both were said to be run up in42 days
but with the coming of peace in March 1815 their construction was halted. Both remained on the stocks housed over
until the CHIPPEWA was scrapped on 1 November 1833.
The NEW ORLEANS remained there until sold on 24
September 1883. Throughout that 70 years her name was
carried on the Navy list. The amazing thing about these
ships were their size. They were recorded as being 204' in
length, a beam of 56', and displacing 2805 tons. Each was to
be armed with 63 long 32pdrs and 24 32pdrs and could
possibly be fitted with up to 110 guns. It should be noted that
the USF CONSTITUTION is only 175' long (at waterline)
and displaces 2200 tons. Truely a remarkably sized ship for
its time.
DECEMBER, 1984
New Exhibit Award Sponsored
R.D. Rawlins, P.O. Box 981, Healdsburg, CA 95448
Big News for Coast Guard Collectors
1 was talking with a couple of USS SAGINAW Chapter
members, Les Filling and Rolls Royce, not long ago about
next years convention to be held at Valley Forge, PA July 19
to 21. "I hope that you fellows are planning to exhibit" I
said, "you'll have a shot at a brand new award this year. USS
MICHIGAN Chapter #80 will sponsor an award for the best
exhibit of covers from Coast Guard ships or stations." "Hey,
that's great" opined Les, "I've been into Coast Guard covers
for a long time. I think I'll put together an exhibit called
"Lightships — An Endangered Species."
Rolls, a relative newcomer to the USCS, asked about the
exhibit awards program, in general. "I've got a pretty
complete collection of covers from self-propelled dredges.
How do I go about entering an exhibit and what can I expect
to win?" he queried.
"Entering an exhibit is as easy as eating pie" said I. "Just
send off a request for an exhibit prospectus as soon as you
see an announcement in the LOG that the prospectus is
ready. When you have your exhibit planned out, fill in the
blanks on the exhibit application form and mail it with your
check for the frame fee as instructed in the prospectus."
"Winning an award takes a bit of effort, though. Your
exhibit will be judged by a panel of 3 designated USCS
judges who were selected by the Board of Directors for their
overall knowledge and expertise, their sense of justice and
fair play, their honesty and integrity and the fact that they
will do the work for nothing and not complain about the
abuse heaped on them by disgruntled exhibitors. But I
digress."
"There are two levels of awards for our regular exhibit
competition. Each exhibit is graded according to the
guidelines given in the prospectus. Initially the panel awards
each exhibit a gold, silver or bronze medal or none at all
depending on its overall score. Then, the gold medal winners
are reviewed for eligibility for the various named awards
which are sponsored by individuals Chapters or the USCS.
The best gold medal exhibit eligible for a specific named
award is then given that award."
"That sounds fair, but what's to prevent someone like
Martin Marietta, who won the submarine exhibit award last
year from putting up his exhibit again this year?"
"Good question, Rolls, we have covered that in our
exhibit rules. Martin must wait 4 years and remount his
exhibit, including at least 25% new material, before he is
eligible to compete for the same named award with that
exhibit. Of course, if he feels that his exhibit is eligible for
another named award, he can try again with the same
exhibit in successive years. So repeat exhibits really don't
pose a problem."
"Anyway, here is a run down on all named awards for
which exhibitors will be able to compete at the 1985
convention:
NOVICE AWARD for the best exhibit by an exhibitor who
has never shown maritime covers in competition before
—incidentally, this means any competition, not just USCS,
and this award is given whether or not the exhibitor won a
gold
GUARDIANS OF THE SEAS AWARD for the best
exhibit of covers from Coast Guard ships or stations
WORKHORSES OF THE FLEET AWARD for the best
exhibit of covers of auxiliary ships, i.e., naval vessels with a
hull designation starting with "A"
WINGS OF GOLD AWARD for the best exhibit of covers
from ships with a 'CV in the designation
GRAF VON SPEE AWARD for an exhibit composed of
non-Navy or non-U.S. Navy material by an American
exhibitor
USCS LOG
Page 181
JESSE BURGESS THOMAS MEMORIAL AWARD for
the most outstanding exhibit of maritime or naval history
covers
NUCLEAR SHIPS AWARD for the best exhibit comprised primarily of covers from or related to nuclear ships
ADMIRAL LOCKWOOD TROPHY for the best exhibit
of postmarks, cachets and related material of conventional
submarines, submarine tenders and submarine rescue ships
ALBERT O. WICKARD AWARD for the best exhibit of
covers from destroyers
FRANKLIN ERWIN MEMORIAL TROPHY for the best
exhibit of covers from steel-hulled battleships
FRANCIS E. LOCY AWARD for the best study of one or
more types of postmarks classified according to the Locy
system (updated)
RESERVE GRAND AWARD for the runner-up exhibit
ANTHONY FERNANDEZ TROPHY for the best exhibit
in the show."
There you have it, men, an even bakers dozen of awards to
shoot for. Let's see you go for one or more." "I should also
mention that there will be a Championship Award competition this year and I'll give you the run down on that next time
we talk." "And, while i'm on the step, don't forget to send me
some of your better duplicate or extra covers and material
for the convention LOG and floor donation auctions.
Sponsoring a convention entails lots of expense and this is
one way that we can help DECATU R Chapter, our host for
the 1985 convention, steer clear of bankruptcy court."
Henry Glass Chapter #82 Report
Ray W. Milling (USCS2082), P. O. Box 1192,
Agana, Guam 96910
The members of our chapter usually spend every weekend
visiting ships that visit the port. Illustrated is a recent photo
taken aboard the M/V KYOWA ORCHID. From left to
right are chapter members, John Zahnen, Ray Milling and
Berle Spurlock. On the far right is Captain Hsiu, Der-Huei.
He is now aboard the M/V KYOWA COSMOS and can be
reached at the following address:
Capt. Hsiu, Der-Huei
c/o Wan Sun Shipping Company, Ltd.
Room 609, No. 144, HanKou Street, Section 1
Taipei, Taiwan
Republic of China
Capt. Hsiu is both a stamp and coin collector and also likes
covers. If you wish a cover from his ship, don't forget to
enclose some duplicates for him.
Page 182
USCS LOG
General Membership Meeting
Rich Hoffner, Secretary
The general membership meeting of the USCS was held at
the Pioneer Convention Center on June 24, 1984 in Reno,
NV. The meeting was chaired by Society President Frank
Hoak, assisted by Society Secretary Rich Hoffner, with an
assist by Past President and Board Member Dave Kent,
standing in for the Vice-President, Jim Myerson who had to
fly home due to an emergency.
The meeting was attended by 50 members from every
corner of the country. (Even a Marine snuck in) As is
customary at each yearly meeting, a moment of silence was
observed for those USCS members who had passed away
during the last year. The President invited each member
present to stand and introduce himself or herself, and
mention chapter affiliation, or hometown.
At the outset of the meeting, the President made note of
the fact that no society business could be conducted, and no
motions could be made or voted upon, as such business
takes place only at the yearly Board of Directors meeting.
President Hoak gave a rundown on the business conducted
at the Board meeting held the day before. Some of the
highlights are as follows: Recruiting efforts were discussed,
as well as advertising. Advertising budget will remain the
same as last year, but split among various publications.
President Hoak mentioned his pleasure in approving five
new chapters during the past year, he indicated that there is
interest in three more areas of the country. Long Island, NY,
Cleveland and Louisiana. He announced that the Sales
Circuits are being revised, under new leadership, and that an
announcement would appear in the Log shortly. Reports
submitted in writing from the various appointive positions
were read by the President, Secretary and Mr. Kent. The
three outstanding reports were from Thad Kaczkowski for
post card sales, Ed Plander for the Log auction and Helen
St. John for catalog of naval postmark sales.
Mention was made that Handbook sales were only fair,
the USCS Data Sheets are available but not moving as well
as expected, and the Catalog of Naval Postmarks should get
more publicity in the Log. The Board has decided that
information on these items will get more exposure in future
issues of the Log. Those persons holding appointive positions who were present, gave their report personally.
The floor was then opened to the general membership,
and questions and ideas were put forth to the president, who
either answered the question, or took it under advisement.
The meeting took approximately 30 minutes, and was
followed by a critique of the exhibits, held by the judges.
Further items decided at the Board meeting will appear in
the pages of the Log, as they are implemented during the
year.
Naval News From Norfolk
Taze Nicholson, H-839, P.O. Box 8097, Norfolk, VA 23503
A Dutch Naval task force of seven ships arrived at
Norfolk Naval Base upon completion of operations and
training with other naval units of the NATO countries. I
covered six of the group with my "Welcome to Norfolk"
cachets, from the following ships:
Frigates; TROMP (F-801), ISAAC SWEARS (F-814, PIET HEYN (F-811),
and BLOYS VAN TRESLONG (F-824)
Submarine; POTVIS (S-804) and Fleet Auxiliary POOLSTER (A-835)
I posted these events from six different U.S. Naval ships.
On October 13, I covered the launch of the CHICAGO
(SSN-721) at Newport News Shipbuilding & Dry Dock
Company, posting the covers aboard the USS IOWA (BB61). Their type 2n cancel appears to be about a V* of an inch
large in diameter than the standard type 2n used on most
other ships.
DECEMBER, 1984
I was very much impressed with the Netherlands naval
ships that were on this visit. The ships were clean and tidy,
with friendly and cooperative crews. From the literature
given to me, I learned that the Dutch Navy is, like our Navy,
constantly being updated to incorporate the latest advancements in naval design and weaponry. They now have six
diesel-electric subs and are building new subs to replace
these as they become overage. The new subs will also be
diesel-electric, but they will be the most advanced and
quietest they have ever imagined, states one officer I talked
with. They have 51 ships that are active of all types and
illustrated is the KORTEN AER (F-807) a frigate in the lead
ship of that class. They undoubtedly have one of the best
maintained and efficient navies in NATO. They also publish
an informative "Info Magazine" in a large formatted,
extensively color-illustrated format magazine. You may try
writing to; RNLN Information Office, Spui 32,2511 BS The
Hague, Netherlands and" requesting a copy.
USS Arizona Chapter Report
A. C. Kuhm, Secretary
The meeting of the Chapter has been changed to the
second Saturday of each month at the homes of various
members. Following our business meetings, programs are
presented by the "host member" which are taped and
available to the general membership. A social buffet concludes our meeting and continues to be enjoyed and makes
for cameraderie within our chapter.
Omega Williamson, past president and long-time participant of the chapter has been honored with a lifemembership certificate to our chapter. Her dedication and
loyalty has been an inspiration to all of us. The chapter gave
a donation to the Vietnam Veterans Memorial, bearing the
names of 616 Arizonians, which was dedicated on October
28, 1984 at El Presido Park, Arizona. Members of the
chapter attended services on Sunday, December 9, 1984 on
the campus of the University of Arizona. This annual tribute
takes on the Sunday closest to December 7 (Pearl Harbor
Day), in memory of the 1,102 Navy and Marine Corps
personnel still entombed aboard the USS ARIZONA. The
principal speaker was Col. Fred J. Cone, USMC, who was
recently assigned as the CO of the Navy ROTC program at
the university. After the ceremony, we met at the home of
Beppie and Alex Lutgendorf for our meeting and the
chapter's annual dinner party; as always a fun-filled and
delightful evening.
Our present slate of officers for the 1985 year are: Albert
F. Kuhm, President, Lawrence Peckham, Vice President
and Alphie C. Kuhm, Secretary. On January 12, 1985 our
Chapter will conduct a regional breakfast meeting at the
Holiday Inn, Tucson, Arizona at 8:15 AM in conjunction
with the annual AIRPEX '85 stamp show being conducted
the three days of that weekend. A guest speaker is scheduled.
For reservations and further information, please contact
Labert Kuhm, 910 Capron Place, Tucson, AZ, 85710.
DECEMBER, 1984
USCS LOG
Page 183
Submarine Squadron Zips
Since 1 have started my monthly column on "Nathan Hale
Country News" I have received many requests for a listing of
submarine flotillas, squadrons, ships, etc. I will start a short
series and list the squadron and submarines in it and their
new 9 digit zip.
COMSUBRON 14 AT BREMERTON
GEORGE WASHINGTON SSN-598, FPO SE 98799-2314
SAM HOUSTON SSN-609, FPO SE, 98799-2321
JOHN MARSHALL SSN-611, FPO SE, 98799-2322
THOMAS JEFFERSON SSN-618, FPO SE, 98799-2327
OHIO SSBN-726 (B) 98799-2094
OHIO SSBN-726 (G) 98799-2095
MICHIGAN SSBN-727 (B) 98799-2097
MICHIGAN SSBN-727 (G) 98799-2098
FLORIDA SSBN-728 (B) 98799-2100
FLORIDA SSBN-728 (G) 98799-2101
GEORGIA SSBN-729 (B) 98799-2103
GEORGIA SSBN-729 (G) 98799-2104
HENRY M. JACKSON SSBN-730 (B) 98799-2106
HENRY M. JACKSON SSBN-730 (G) 98799-2107
COMSUBRON ONE — PEARL HARBOR, HI
BARBELL SS-580, 96661-3402
TAUTOG SSN-639, 96679-2331
ASPRO SSN-648, 96660-2334
PUFFER SSN-652, 96675-2338
HAWKBILL SSN-666, 96667-2346
TUNNY SSN-682, 96679-2362
CAVALLA SSN-684, 96662-2364
QUEENFISH SSN-651, 96676-2337
BUFFALO SSN-715, 96661-2395
COMSUBRON SEVEN
SKATE SSN-578, 96678-2301
SWORDFISH SNN-579, 96678-2302
SARGO SSN-583, 96678-2303
LOS ANGELES SSN-688, 96671-2368
OMAHA SSN-692, 96674-2372
NEW YORK CITY SSN-696, 96673-2376
INDIANAPOLIS SSN-697, 96668-2377
BREMERTON SSN-698, 96661-2378
SAN FRANCISCO SSN-711, 96678-2391
HONOLULU SSN-718, 96667-2398
COMSUBGRU SEVEN
PROTEUS AS-19, 96646-2575
DARTER SS-576, 96663-3401
COMSUBGRU FIVE
MC KEE AS-41, 96621-2620
BLUEBACK SS-581, 96661-3403
POGY SSN-647, 96675-2333
GURNARD SSN-662, 96666-2342
GUITARO SSN-665, 96666-2345
DRUM SSN-677, 96663-2357
WILLIAM H. BATES SSN-680, 96661-2360
LA JOLLA SSN-701, 96671-2381
PINTADO SSN-672, 96678-2352
HOUSTON SSN-713, 96667-2393
SALT LAKE CITY SSN-716, 96678-2396
PORTSMOUTH SSN-707, 96675-2387
Keep watch, this list will continue; next month the rest of
the submarine force Pacific then onto the Atlantic, followed
by new construction and overhauls. I hope this fills the needs
of those collectors who specialize in submarines and their
associated vessels. Please bare in mind that homeports and
squadrons change, I will attempt to keep this list as accurate
as I can in the future. I suggest you make copies and keep it
on file, as it is the most extensive listing I could make.
Until next month. Hank Baxter, FTCM (SS/SW/DV)
USN. 8 Cole St., Groton, CT 06340.
OFFICERS of the U.S.S. BUFFALO Chapter 89, USCS aboard the U.S.S.
LITTLE ROCK during Independence Day ceremonies. (I, to R) Standing: Christopher Pieczynski, President; Walter C. Van Buren. Public Relations. Kneeling: Joseph
M. Prockton, Sec'y-Treas.; John I.eszak, Vice-President.
USS BUFFALO C hapter President C hrislopher Pieczynski (seated) and VicePresident John Les/ak, prepare and cancel Independence Day covers in the Post
Office aboard the U.S.S. LITTLE ROCK.
Still Serving
By: J. Klinger (USCS 4979)
Among the pleasures I derive from naval cover collecting
is determining a ship's military history and then learning of
its ultimate disposition after leaving militarv service. One
such ship is the USCGC TIGER (WPC-152)originally built
in 1927 to combat liquor smuggling during Prohibition, a
parallel seen today in drug smuggling. She was hull number
346 of the American Brown Boveri Corporation. Camden,
NJ and was designed to trail "mother ships" to intercept the
illegal liquor before it could be transferred to smaller, faster
craft. Later she was transferred to the Navy and her final
Naval assignment was in the Hawaiian Sea Frontier based at
Honolulu. During the attack on Pearl Harbor, she earned
her singular bat'le star, while on patrol off Barbers Point.
Illustrated is an undated war-time cover, courtesy of USCS
CG Historian, John Young.
In 1948, TIGER was decommissioned and sold. Much
later, she turned up in a 1968 Merchant Vessel of the US
Register as the M/V CHEROKEE (US257391) owned by
Pacific Inland Navigation Company of Seattle, WA. The
number shown in parenthesis is an official documentation
number that remains with the ships and is never changed
while in US registry, even though the ship's name may
change. Apparently up until 1968, she remained named the
TIGER in mercantile service. In 1973. still as the
CHEROKEE, she was sold to W. W. Towing, Inc., and had
her homeport changed to Juneau, Alaska, where she
remained until 1977. During that year, the little ship was
sold again to Turnagain Investments, renamed the M V
POLAR MERCHANT,and re-homeported to Anchorage.
Alaska. Finally, in 1981, she was sold to her present owners.
Vedco, and homeported in Seattle, WA. Today, she is in
excellent shape as a tug, as illustrated in a photo courtesy of
her present owner, who advises that at one time, as TIGER.
she adorned a CG calendar. John Young, do you have that
calendar?
SOURCES
US Treasury Department, Report of Vessel Movements, various dates.
Rum War at Sea, Willoughby. USGPO, 1964
DANFS, Volume VII
USCG Cutters of WWII, Scheina, USNI, 1982
US Merchant Vessels of the US, various issues.
Lloyd's Register of Shipping, Volume III, 1984-85
Iowa Completes Maiden Voyage
The battleship USS IOWA (BB-61) returned to Norfolk
in mid-September after her maiden deployment following
reactivation. The trip took the ship and her crew to eleven
nations in Central and South America training and demonstrating the United States' ability and resolve to maintain a
position of strength in the Caribbean. Other ships accompanying the IOWA included the USS CONYNGHAM
(DDG-I7), USS STEPHEN W. GROVES (FFG-29), USS
HERCULES (PHM-2) and USS ARIES (PHM-5).
Page 184
USCS LOG
DECEMBER, 1984
Nathan Hale Country News
A Day On The . . .
USS WILMINGTON (PG-8), Saturday December 31,1910
Five days earlier, a change of command occurred, but on
this last day of that year, she was moored to #11 Admiralty
Buoy in Hong Kong's naval dockyard. Type 1 cancel.
USS WRIGHT (AZ-1), Monday December 15, 1924 and
attached to the Aircraft Squadron of the Scouting Fleet.
0000-0400: Moored to the south side of pier 2, berth F, NOB
Norfolk.
0800-I200:.CO from the USS HANNIBAL made an official
call on the ship's CO. Corner card on the reverse of a
registered YMCA cover.
Foryears I have been seeking a cover from WRIGHTas
AZ-1, a lighter-than-air aircraft tender between the
dates of her commissioning on December 16, 1921 and
redesignation to AV-1 on November 11, 1923, as noted
in DANFS Volume IV. But in her reading her history in
Volume VIII, she was reclassified to AV-1 sometime
between July and December, 1925, thus at the date of
this cover, she is the elusive AZ-1.
Around the Compass
x
<^r<y
The INTREPID, now a floating museum moored in New
York City has been designated Naval Reserve Center
Manhattan and will begin training reservist in mid-1985.
For the first time since 1979, the USS VULCAN, the
Navy's second oldest ship, has gone on a overseas assignment. Homeported in Norfolk, she departed October 1 to
assume duties as a Indian Ocean tender. Her voyage is via
the Straits of Gibraltar, the Med and the Red Sea.
USS AMERICA Chapter #71 has sponsored a cover for
the keel laying of the ABRAHAM LINCOLN (CVN-72).
See their listing of ship construction elsewhere in this issue.
Five carrier battle groups are now engaged in Exercise
FLEETEX '85 including the USS CONSTELLATION
(CV-64), USS CARL VINSON (CVN-70), USS MIDWAY
(CV-41), USS ENTERPRISE (CVN-65) and USS INDEPENDENCE (CV-62).
Operation Deep Freeze has begun its 30th season this year
with support being provided in part by USCG GLACIER
(WAGB-4), USCGC POLAR STAR (WAGB-10) and
USNS MAUMEE (T-AOT-149).
The November 1984 issue of SKIN DIVER magazine has
an article on diving to the wreck of the former USS SAN
DIEGO (ACR-6), ex-CALIFORNIA, sunk by a enemy
mine in World War I off Fire Island. The same issue has a
brief article on the exploits of NUMA and their dives to
various naval wrecks, including forthcoming dives to the
wrecks from the the Battle of Jutland.
by Hank Baxter, FTCM (SS/SW/DV), USN
The 143rd meeting of the Nathan Hale Chapter was held
at Woodbridge, CT, with 15 members and 2 guests present.
Cachet Director John Milewski gave out 2 covers from past
events that were not given previously (Alabama SSBN-731
Launch and Salt Lake City SSN-716 FDC), as usual they
were beautiful and professionally printed. The final plans
for the regional were discussed and I will make a brief report
on it next month.
Some good news: Helen St. John has become a great
grandmother, Helen looked good at the meeting after such a
trying ordeal. To commemorate this great event, she has
promised to have a special auction for the next one which
will be Nathan Hale's Number 100th. If you don't get this
fine auction, you owe it to yourself to get on the list. This is
easily done by just dropping Helen a line and requesting it.
With most good news comes sad news. I find it sad to
report that Nathan Hale, the USCS and the Philatelic
Society has lost a friend in Dr. John Borges. All our
sympathy goes out to his lovely wife Ida and his two
children. I personally owe John a thanks as it was he who
introduced me to the idea of collecting nautical first day of
issue postage stamps on covers. Who ever heard of such a
thing? Well, John was probably the foremost expert in this
field, and just recently he gave the Nathan Hale Chapter a
lesson and demonstration in nautical first day covers.
I have agreed to again chair the Ballot Committee for the
USCS National Officers. To enhance voting if you will
include two (2) and only two SASE covers with your ballot,
I will attempt to apply some type of Submarine cachet on
them and have them posted here at Groton. I cannot
promise quality of cancels as the postal service is beyond my
reach. I have in the past written about some peeves I have
with accepting covers and will repeat some of them now. No
more than two covers with the proper postage; believe it or
not, I have had some dealers send me covers with only 6c or
10c postage. Do not request to have CO's autograph in
certain places, I doubt if any will autograph at all, and if they
do be thankful where it is. Don't be too demanding, most
PAO's don't get paid extra for this service. I have had
members send covers back to my CO, and complain that I
didn't follow the instructions they had written completely
and were therfore returning the covers for completion, all to
which the CO, asked me if I wanted to burn the covers or
should he. However, as mentioned send me two covers with
your ballot, and I will give it my best shot.
USS PHILADELPHIA (SSN-690) received the Navy
Unit Commendation for a special operation she did quite a
while back. PORTSMOUTH (SSN-707) has changed home
ports from Groton to San Diego, CA.
The Canadian submarine HMCS OJIBWA at Subase 7
Oct. to 15 Oct. This is an Oberon Class submarine usually
operating our of Halifax, Nova Scotia. Do you remember
me telling you about the Atlantic test flight of the Tomahawk missile? It has been officially announced that
HOUSTON (SSN-713-) fired a Tomahawk cruise missile on
29 June. This was the 130th test flight of the Tomahawk, and
the first for an Atlantic fleet submarine.
Do you want a cover celebrating the US Naval War
College's 100th Anniversary? Send $1.75 each or 3 for $5 to
PN1 Charles W. Birdy, USN (Ret). PO Box 4388, Middletown, RI 02840-0013. When Mr. Birdy was stationed at the
Brig on Subase he produced several covers which were quite
good, the ones that come to mind were the 75th submarine
anniversary and the USS America with America's Cup sail
boat.
DECEMBER, 1984
For all members and patch collectors, the Navy has
established a new rate. FTG's will only be on submarines
and submarine related activities (Those with sub nec's).
Surface FTG's, and FTM's will become FC's. Thus far the
Navy has not decided on whether or not it will produce a
new rating badge. Submarine DS's will be merged with
FTG's, so if you know of a DS he will be a surface fleet
member. Just some more confusion for the enemy and
mothers, after 26 years my mother still thinks 1 fight fires.
USS HENRY M. JACKSON (SSBN-730) was commissioned Saturday 6 October at NUSC lab. New London, CT.
with about 200 protestors present, if that was the best the
protestors could send 1 feel sorry for them, we use to get a
better turn out from the Anti's. Senator Paul Laxalt, the
scheduled speaker was unable to attend, and in his place was
Adm. McKee, the man who replaced Adm. Rickover. and
who is quite a dynamic speaker. All those who attended had
an enjoyable time. This trip even the busses from the subase
to New London were on time. 1 did feel sorry for those who
failed to dress warm enough for the occasion. If you ever get
the chance, don't forget to bring a warm jacket, in New
England one never knows what the weather will be.
FULTON departed New London 2 October, and the
planned schedule is to stop at Colts Neck, NJ, Fort
Lauderdale, FL, then Guantanimo Bay, Cuba, (GITMO)
for some training and acceptance trials. After about 5 or 6
weeks she should be back to New London tending the units
ofSubron Ten. GREENL1NG(SSN-614) has departed New
London for a change of homeport to Portsmouth, NH. This
will be her homeport during her overhaul.
At our last meeting we were lucky to have Gene Steven
and his wife Pat with us. Both the Stevens and their two sons
are members of USCS and Nathan Hale Chapter. Gene is a
chief FTG in PARGO (SSN-650) and was on the augment
crew being sent home several weeks early to attend school.
Gene reported PARGO is still sceduled to change homeports early next year to Bremerton, WA.
The members were shown a Navy training film on
"Escape-Sub Rescue and Salvage Procedures". Master
Chief Baxter helped make this film in his younger days, and
explained some of the procedures. Our meeting closed with
the traditional chapter auction.
1 am often asked question to which I am not allowed to
answer. Please try to understand. I answer all correspondence as quickly as possible, and check with my security
personnel on some questions, if I avoid these this is the
reason. Nothing personal. Please keep up the notes and
comments. Until next month . . .
Cancelled Construction
Jim Russell, 2209 Brighton St., Phila., PA 19149
Below is a list of mostly cruisers that were cancelled due to
the war drawing to the end. I would like to know if any of
our members have a cover for the keel laying or launch for
any of these ships. 1 did have a report of a cover for launch of
HAWAII. If possible I will appreciate a xerox.
BRIDGEPORT CA-127, K/L Quincy, Mass 13 Jan 1945
BUFFALO CL-110, K/L Camden, N.J. 3 Apr 1944
Cambridge CA-126, K/L Quincy. Mass. 16 Dec 1944
CHATTANOOGA CL-118. K/L Newport News, Va. 9 Oct 1944
CHEYENNE CL-117, K/L Newport News, Va. 29 May 1944
DALLAS CA-140, K/L Quincy, Mass. 15 Oct 1945
HAWAII CB-3, K/L Dec 20 1943 Launched Camden, N.J. 3 Nov 1945
NEW HAVEN CL-109, K/L 28 Feb 1944 Camden, N.J.
NEWARK CL-100/108 K/L Camden, N.J. 17 Jan 1944
NORFOLK CA-137 K/L Philadelphia 27 Dec 1944
SCRANTON CA-138 K/L Philadelphia 27 Dec 1944
TALLAHASSEE CL-116 K/L Newport News, Va. 31 Jan 1944
WILMINGTON CL-111 K/L Philadelphia, Pa. 5 Mar 1944
YOUNGSTOWN CL-94 K/L Philadelphia, 4 Sept 1944
USCS LOG
Page 185
The Joy of Covers
by David A. Kent (H5148)
TATOOSH. It's an interesting name. 1 like the history of
the ship, too. It tells me that a colleague of mine did not do
his job.
TATOOSH is the name of a Makah Indian village and
island near Cape Flattery, Washington. The name was
assigned to a wooden-hulled steamship purchased by the
Navy from the Pacific American Fisheries in 1941 and
converted into a mobile section base. It was designated a
"Miscellaneous Auxiliary Yardcraft," YAG-1. And that,
friends, is about all we know.
1 spent my military time in the Air Force, and on several
occasions I was assigned the additional duty of Historical
Officer, with the job of preparing periodic histories of our
unit. These were sent to the Air University in Alabama,
where they are stored for future reference, especially by
historians who want to write about the events that happened
to the unit. The Navy has historical officers, too. who have
the same duties. But according to the Dictionary of American Naval Fighting Ships, our usual reference for ship's
histories, virtually nothing is know n about the history of this
ship, or where she was stationed. One of my colleagues fell
down on the job.
The Naval Historical Center's best guess is that
TATOOSH was stationed in Alaska during most of World
War 11. They base this estimate on a mere slip of information
which nevertheless probably tells the truth: on 15 April 1944
a new Naval District, the 17th. was separated from the old
13th Naval District. The new district constituted the
Alaskan operating area, which was somewhat remote from
the Pacific Northwest area of this country that was served by
the 13th Naval District. And one of the few bits of
information they have about TATOOSH is that she was
reassigned from the 13th to the 17th Naval District on the
same day.
I like this kind of detective work. It undoubtedly took
plenty of research to put all the pieces together, and I'll bet
the writer for the Naval Historical Center was pleased when
all the pieces finally Fit.
Why so small a vessel, with a crew of less than 100, had a
post office is not certain. Perhaps the fact that she operated
so far from home is one answer. Working in the harsh
climate of Alaska must have taken its toll on the old wooden
ship, for she was inspected in 1944 and found unfit for
further duty. She was decommissioned on Dec. 1, 1944, and
struck form the Navy list. Her hulk was destroyed on Sept.
29, 1945.
I can't help but wonder. When they broke her up, were
those old historical reports still sitting in someone's desk
aboard, waiting to be mailed off to Washington so that years
later people would know of how she served her countryu
during the war?
Page 186
USCS LOG
DECEMBER, 1984
Cachets, Cancels & Covers
PUGET SOUND
SPRINGFIELD
NICHOLSON
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NETHERLANDS SUBMARINE S.I04
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PORTS & HARBORS
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CHRISTENING i n d LAUNCH
L A U N C H - S S N 721
NAVAL WAR COLLEGE
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NEWPORT NEWS SHIPBUILDING
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*<>5R*^0
CAPT. ROMMEL CLASS OF '49
FPO MIAMI, FL
1
USCS LOG
DECEMBER, 1984
Tom's
EARLY CANCELS - CIVIL WAR - STAMPLESS - POST CARDS - WWI
1. STMPLESS. COV Feb 22 Philadelphia fm wife of Capt J. Kelly US
Steamer Mississippi,Norfolk.Va. 1842.Script Post.3 Pgs. VF
2. COVIL WAR. SOLDIERS LTR Patriotic Girl-flag-skirt w/stars 6-19-62
Maryland "Due 3" "the women will help them". Boot'ful. Est $15-20
3. CIVIL WAR. Mint Patriot Union "End of King Cotton" Hanging man. VF
Mint Patr.Union "C.S.A. Standard Bearer" Devil VF
5. CIVIL WAR. Mint Patr LOYAL STATES ILLINOIS. Overall. VF
6. SP-AMERICAN WAR. Little Pamphlet-20 pgs-photos of Harvard & St.
Louis took P. of war from Santiago to the north-1008 men. VF+
7. DELAWARE BB28 T-2 12-6-10 The face is LONDON, Eng., Buses etc. VF
8. DIXIE AD1 T-2 7-22-12 (Nice but sm slit) VF
9. NEW JERSEY BB16 T-1 7-3-12. Face is Key West, Fla. VF
10. TACOMA PG32 T-1 12-4-10 Christmas Greetings. VF
11. WASHINGTON CA11 T-F(W9) 1-30-11 11am USN. Face-Maine. VF
12. WHEELING PG14 T-1 1-20-15 Port au Prince, Haiti. F(2 Overcancels) on
face - FORD Model T with flowers.
13. Pamphlet. USN '98 8x10 inch. 20pgs - Photos Dewey, Sampsom, Schley,
views of Phil. Is., USS Wheeling, Wilmington, etc. VF
14. Pcd. SAILORS BARBECUE at Los Angeles.Cal-Fleet Week-Apr18-25.
VF+
15. Pcd. SAILORS PARADE-FLOWER FEST Santa Barbara.Ca Apr
28, 1908. VF+
16. Pcd.SAILORSPARADE-TACOMA,WashMay27. (Last 3 are fm Armada)
17. Pcd. SAILORS-Japanese Cruiser Parade 10-19-09. VF. SanFrancisco.Ca.
18. Pcd. BROOKLYN CA3 Used Syracuse, NY 6-5-14. "PCK Series" VF
19. Pcd. ARMORED CRUISER COLORADO CA7 Used Phil.Pa 5-15-06. VF
20. Pcd. MINNEAPOLISC13 Used Cedar Rapids.lowa.Flags.EaglesB'ful.VF
21. Pcd. SALEM CL3. Mint Valentine. VF+
22. Pcd. VIRGINIA BB13. Advert cd w/desc of ship. VF+
23. Pcd. US SPEED SCOUT AEROPLANE. Passed by Censor. Great. VF
24. Pcd. WWI BB "JUST A WORD FM HOME" Beautiful. VF
25. Pamphlet. The war Pictorial WWI.July 1918, 34pg,Photos,GB-Navy.VF
26. Pcd. ASSEMBLING for NAVAL REVIEW, VERA CRUZ.Mex. 100's of
Tars.VF
27. 25 cards - SHIPS OF THE ROYAL NAVY. Great!. VF+ small cds.
28. Pcds.Sailors Camp-Sta Berkley.Norfolk & Navy Yard.Va. VF
OLD IRONSIDES — CONSTITUTION — CACHETED (Except #29)
Page 187
i Chest
OTHER SHIPS - BOOKS - BASEBALL CDS - WWII - VIETNAM
63. ADAK, ALASKA NOB T-2z 9-24-43 Passed by Naval Cens(Pink) VF
64. ALLEN DD66 1st Day Pos Serv 11-3-40 Phila.Pa Neutrality Pat. C.VF
65. ARIZONA BB39 SUND 8-3-36 PEARL HARBOR.T.H. Fleet Wk. CaAiglon. VF
66. BABBITTAG102T-38-7-35MIDDIE-3rd VISITPHILA. Planetarium.C.VF
67. BRIDGE AF1 T-3(Red) 11-12-36 TRANS-GAY BRIDGE OPEN. Ca
Bridge. VF
68. BROOKS DD232 T-3(Red) 9-9-38 NAVY YD.PHILA. Decommiss. C.VF
69. ERIE PG50T-3SUNK 11-11-36 ARMISTICE DAY 1918-36. Shakedown.
C.VF
70. HOUSTON CA30 T-3 SUNK 3-25-38 FRENCH FRIGATE SHOAL.
Maneuvers. C. VF
71. HUMPHREY DD236 St.Line 10-20-40. Navy Dept Seal. VF
72. LAVACA APA180 F(L-5) Red 10-27-46 NAVY DAY. Ca Harrington. VF
73. LOUISVILLE CL28 T-3 3-23-38 HONOLULU HAWAII No Cach. VF
74. MacARTHUR.W.Va. FIRST DAY COVER 4-15-42 CROSBY Mac picture.
C.VF
75. MALLARD ASR4 T-3 5-30-37 BALBOA.C.Z. Great Ca.WENTZ. Est.$8-10
VF+
76. MC CALL DD400 FDC-3 6-22-38 1st Day COMM. Red.Wh.Blue Ca. VF+
77. NORTHAMPTON CA26 T-3(Blue) SUNK 11-30-33 OrigCrosby. T'G
DAY. C. VF
78. NOUMEA.N.C.I. APO 502 12-30-44 Patriotic cov. Free. C.VF
79. OWL AT0137 F-(D-17) 10-27-40 NAVY DAY. Ca by CWR. VF
80. PALMER DMS5 T-5 SUNK 11-15-40 NEUTRALITY PATROL. C. VF
81. PENNSYLVANIA on Card BB38 T-3 1-27-39 GUANTANAMO BAY, Cu.
Ca. VF
82. RICHMOND CL9 T-3 5-6-35 AT SEA ON CONVOY. Fit Maneuv-Pacific.
C.VF
83. WHIPPOORWILLAM35T-3(Red) 76-4-38 Great Allen Cac. Est $8-10. VF
84. Pcd. COMIC. CLOSING THE BOOK-MEIN KAMP Hitler.Musso.lto. VF
85. BOOK. WWII. ACCIDENTAL AGENT-lntellig.Brit in France.True. VF
86. BOOK. WWII. THE LAST ESCAPE. Europe-Palestine. 73. VF
87. BOOKS (2) ANNAPURNA & MOUNTAON. Fear(Alaska-Mt. Huntingon)M'tg Cl'g. VF
88. BASEBALL GAME w/26 Cards-smaller Topps-Mantle; Y'gski; Rose;
C'lemt. cc 7 4
89. 5 BB Cds '69; 20 Post cards cc 73 Hodges-Campy-Snider(l) rest VF
29. CONST. 9-10-31 NEW YORK, N.Y. (No Cacheted)
30.
31.
32.
33.
34.
35.
36.
37.
38.
39.
40.
41.
42.
43.
44.
45.
46.
47.
48.
49.
50.
51.
52.
53.
54.
55.
56.
57.
58.
59.
60.
61.
62.
CONST. 4-7-32 TAMPA, FLA C24 Green Cach Red Cancel. F-VF
CONST. 1-21-33 SAN DIEGO, CALIFORNIA C27 Black Cachet. VF
CONST. 2-22-33 SANN PEDRO, CALIFORNIA C28a Red Ca. VF
CONST. 4-12-33 OAKLAND, CALIFORNIA C33 Red Ca. VF
CONST.5-6-33 ASTORIA, OREGON C35 Red Ca. VF
CONST. 5-30-33 PORT ANGELES, WN C38 Red & Blue. VF
CONST. 6-19-33 TACOMA, WASHINGTON C45 Green Ca, VF
CONST. 8-19-33 PORTLAND, OREGON P43 Photo Cd w/Guerriere ship
at before & after w/Bartley Auto & Cachet. VF
CONST. 8-2-33 PORTLAND, OREGON E16 Printed w/2 Brit ships. VF
CONST. 9-23-33 OAKLAND, CALIF. P50 Printed & S6. Gr Canc.VF
CONST. 11-17-33 SAN DIEGO, CALIF. P56 Photo of Comm Gulliver,
Capt of Constitution & Autographed. Pcd on b-C74. VF
CONST. 1-1-34 SAN DIEGO.CALIF S3 - W13 Red & Green Ca. VF
SUBMARINES ft FAMOUS 50 (Turned OVER to Gr. Britain)
#2 German Submarine on Pcd - in English Channel. VF
THRESHER SS200 3-27-40 LAUNCHED Groton, Conn. C. VF
NATANAEL GREENE SSBN636 5-21-66 (USS Holland) Ca. VF
JAMES MONROE 12-7-63 COMMISSIONING (Newport News, Va) C.VF
NATHAN HALE SSBN623 11-23-63 (Groton.Conn) 1st Day Commiss.
C.VF
PINTADO SSN672 9-11-71 (Mare Is, Cal) Ca. VF
POGY SSN647 5-15-71 Pascagoula.MS COMMISSIONING. Ca. VF
SANDLANCE SSN660 9-25-71 Portsmouth, NY. COMMISSIONING. Ca.
VF
SEADRAGON SS584 1-3-66 Bremerton, Wash. Ca. VF
WOODROW WILSON SSBN624 1-17-66 (Holland) Ca. VF
BANCROFT DD256 T-3 2-13-40 1st Day Service. Recommissions
DDs.C.Vf
BUCHANAN DD484T-312-19-39 SAN JUAN.PORTO RICO. Recomm'd.
C.VF.
EVANS DD78 T-3 9-2-40 Galveston, Tex. No Cach. VF
Pcd. EVANS DD78 REAL PHOTO on a Post Card, VF
FAIRFAX DD93 T-3 10-6-38 NOB NORFOLK, Va. No Cachet. VF
HARADEN DD183 LDPS 9-13-40 LAST DAY. No Cac. (HMS Columbia)
VF
KALK DD170 Straight Line 9-23-40. (HMS Hamilton No Cach. VF
MADDOX DD168 POD 9-12-40 NORFOLK, Va. No Cach (HMS Georgetown) VF
TILLMAN DD135 12-25-33 CUBAN WATERS. Cach. VF
TILLMAN 3-23-39 LAST DAY IN COMM. (Dallas Decommissioned) C.VF
YARNALL DD143 FDPS 3r 11-8-39 USN REComm. Ca. VF
POST CARDS - STAMPS - POLAR COVERS - FIRST DAY COVERS
90. POST CARDS. 24 all relating to THANKSGIVING. US & Used CANADA.
'09-25
91. POST CARDS. 40 NEW YEARS. Nice. 1909-25. Both of these are VF
92. STAMPS. MINT-DIFF Plate of 4 (all Commems)3«,6C,10C;,13«. Face
$10.24.
93. STAMPS. MINT-DIFF plate of 4(all Regulars)Mstly recent. Face $6.39
94. 18 US NAVY Covs. 1947-1973. 7 Cacheted. Mstly VF
95. APO 96243 4-23-71 w/map of VIETNAM. AMERICAN EMBASSY. VF
96. APO 96273 6-21-70 FLOWN ON A COMBAT MISSION OVER S.E.ASIA. 4
photos of F-105D; autograph by Capt. Pilot. C. VF
97. SS OMAR E CHAPMAN Indian Stamp cane'd PAQUEBOT. Bombay '51.
VF
98. SSPRESIDENT HOOVER SEA STAMP 180th Meridean.Jap Stmp & Ca.
Cac. VF
99. 2nd BYRD ANT EX SS JACOB RUPPERT 5-20-35 Great Ca Byrd #733.
VF+
100. CITY OF NEW YORK 6-19-30 Cach Adm Byrd Welcome Home-Closeup.
VF+
101. R.E.BYRD Autograph on cover fm Boston,Mass 8-16-47. VF
102. USS SKATE SSN578 Commanding Off V.Skoog.Jr. (Fulton 6(7)19-61.
F.C.
103. MOUNT OLYMPUS 2-1-47 OPER HIGHJUMP Task Force 68. VF. C.
104. OBERON AKA14 POINT BARROW Resupply Ex. Fairbanks.AI 8-10-49.
C.VF
105. DRIFT STQA BRAVO ICE ISLAND T-3 160 Lo 71'/; Lat 9-19-60 LADD
AFB. C. VF
106. ADARE STATION, Antactica USN 17046 11-30-57 IGY Year. Pcd. C. VF
107. EDISTO AGB2 T-2 2-2-56 OPER. DEEPFREEZE 1955-56. Penguin Ca.VF
108. USNS ELTANIN Paquebot Lyttelton, NZ 3-28-72 USARP Research Ves.
C.VF
109. VXE-6 DEEP FREEZE '82 USN FPO 96692 MCM ANTARCTICA 1-19-81.
C.VF
110. BOOK. THE ESKIMOS. 1932. Long & Exceptiona. 490pgs.Maps.Libra.F
111. MAGAZINE.Nat.Geog.Mag.Aug. 1922 "ARCTIC . . . AIR ROUTE OF
FUTURE" VF
112. ARGENTINA. SCIENTIFICA ELLSWORTH ANTART 1-30-49(?) VF
113. REGIS AUSTRALIA w/4 Stmps 5d,8d,1sh,2sh3d 12-25-59 MACQUARIE
Is., Beautiful sealion cachet. C.VF
114. BELGIUM. MS ERIKA DAN 1-31-61 BASE ANTARC BELLE. C.VF
AUCTION DEADLINE FEBRUARY 5, 1985
NO MINIMUM BIDS — POSTAGE & PACKING EXTRA
THOMAS F. McGRATH
804 Park Ave., Albany, N.Y. 12208
Page 1!
USCS LOG
DECEMBER, 1984
Secretary's Report
'». aaucasB -o.
T I T t . 1 O * PUCUCATIOM
Rich Hoffner, P.O. Box 11266, Elkins Park, PA 19117-0266
mr*
NEW MEMBERS
9575 BARTON, Brent E. 10243 S.W. Eastridge, Portland, OR 97225. By
Myerson, 6394. VI (submarines and sailing ships).
9576 BASS, Steven G. 13509 Aainsworth St., Gardena, CA 90247. By Moses,
6012. VI (battleships) and IX.
9577 BOING, Larry. 1900 Stevens Dr. #816, Richland, WA 99352. By R.
Hoffner, 4456. I, II.
9578 CAVALARI, Agnes E. Box 345 RD 2, New Windsor, NY 12550. By Kent,
H-5148. I thru VIII.
9579 FLOYD, Lee T. 808 Park Ave., Kansas City, MO 64124. By Decatur
Chapter #4. X (German ships, 1850-1945).
9580 MILLEN, Alan R. P.O. Box 281, Phoenixville, PA 19460. By Decatur
Chapter #4.
9581 SADDLER, Donald. 8720 Sandusky Rd., Harrod, OH 45850. By
Myerson, 6394. VI (USS FDR CV-42) and VII (USS FDR CV-42 Navy
Day).
9582 SEBASTIANELLI, S. M. RFD 1, Box 697, Mystic, CT 06355. By J.
Milewski, Jr. 6471. Ill and VI.
9583 SHRAKE, Walter I. P.O. Box 203, Savanna, IL 61074-0203. By J.
Milewski, Jr. 6471. I, IV and IX.
9584 SICKELS, George W. 1769 Colgate PI., Union, NJ 07083. By Petillo,
8578. X (WWII shore stations in Iceland and Greenland, including Navy
squadrons).
"9585 SMITH, Colin. 226 Chipstead Way, Woodmansterne, Banstead, Surrey,
England. By R. G. Wilson, 7839.1, II, VI and X (Aviation thematic covers,
all types).
iOATf OMJUNi
JUL
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AVERAGE MO COPrES EACH
:SSuE ounIMC HtECEIjiMC
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EKTEMT AWO MATUMI Of CinCUUkTlOM
REINSTATEMENTS
*745? McLANE, John T. Jr., 10 Lakeside Dr., Matawan, NJ 07747. VI
(submarines).
8535 LIMOGES, Dianne L. P.O. Box 315, State College, PA 16801.
L " ' i « C " i « » ' l ! ! « i i » " . ' / llOMNMii
ACTUAL MO COPIES O* KMCLI
'«UE "JlLiSHEO NEAMCST TO
MUMP PATE
A TOTAL MO CC*li»,«*r«
•
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TOTAL 'AID CIMCUUtriON ' k a i f l H I — JMJl
9229
4780
•9408
8270
9157
7152
4456
F8791
F8792
F9283
F9284
F9285
CHANGE OF ADDRESS
POTTER, Duaine K. FTGC, CPO Mess, USS TRIPPE FF-1075, FPO Ml
34093-1435.
DAVIS, William H. 1024 Washington S.E., Albuquerque, NM 87106.
ZIENTEK, Konrad. Griesbachstr. 33, D8943 Babenhausen, Fed. Rep. of
Germany.
FINK, Donald A. 19 West St., Apt. "A", Barre, VT 05641.
MERRITT, Alfred J. P.O. Box 53293, San Jose, CA 95153.
SPORS, Robert F. 6803 Copper Falls Ct., St. Louis, MO 63129.
HOFFNER, Richard F. P.O. Box 11266, Elkins Park, PA 19117-0266.
HOFFNER, Peg. as above.
HOFFNER, Richard Jr. as above.
HOFFNER, Charles, as above.
HOFFNER, John, as above.
HOFFNER, Gerard, as above.
DECEASED
8333 BORGES, John E.
MEMBERSHIP RECAP
1521
Membership on 10-1-84
11
New Members
2
Reinstatments
Deceased
1
Membership on 10-31-84
1533
TOP RECRUITER OF THE MONTH
Jay Milewski, 6471
TOP RECRUITER/YEAR TO DATE
John Milewski, 4604
Remember, recruit 5 new members in one year, and your dues are paid up,
for 1 year. Membership blanks are available from the secretary at the address
at the beginning of the report.
Take a minute to welcome our new members. Perhaps drop a line of
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$8B
-r
A0RIDA
5£
€ TOTALOIITttltimONiAHf * r « t f 0
a TOTAL -torn 1*
PI *•* J - l
rMMIHl
News Of Our Members
In response to a recent offering of submarine call letters,
member Dennis L. Perno, Sr., (USCS 6561) advises that he
has hundreds of them from nearly every type of Navy ship
that had radio equipment. If interested, send him an SASE
for more information at RD#1, Box 378E, Pleasantville, NJ
08232.
What has happened to Vanguard/Homeport Auctions?
Covers sent to them recently for inclusion in their timely
acutions have been returned as unclaimed.
I
Is This Log Correctly Addressed
Every copy of the LOG that is not delivered, because it has an
incorrect address costs the USCS 25c. If you are moving permanently, please let us know a month before changing your address. If
the address on this copy of the LOG is not correct, please clip it, then
mail it along with the correct address to: David A. Kent, LOG
Mailing List Manager. P. O. Box 13, New Britain, CT 06050-0013.