Samoa, U.S.S. "Mohican" Pacific Station, Harbor of Apia, Upolu I, Samoan Group, South Pacific Ocean, September 14th/15th/ 1886. Manuscript "Ship's Letter" endorsement on triple rate legal size cover to Asbury Park, N.J., entered the U.S. mails with "San Francisco, Cal., Rec'd, Oct 2" cds and matching "Ship" in circle handstamp and "U.S. Charge to Collect/15 Cents" handstamp with "15" crossed out and rerated "25" for triple rate plus 10¢ penalty for not being prepaid, with blue "U.S.S. Mohican, Sep 15, 1886" ship cds, receiving backstamp; cover reduced at right, Very Fine, a rare "outside the mails" ship letter usage from Apia, Samoa during the Municipality Post Office period. Estimate  $500 - 750. The U.S.S. "Mohican" was a steam sloop of war, launched in December 1883 and sent to Callao, Peru in 1886 and then to Samoan waters to protect American interests from German political interference. In July 1886 it sailed to Australian before returning to Peruvian waters. $0 (Image)