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Civil War Postal History: Union continued...

Naval Ship Covers continued...
LotNo. Symbol CatNo. Lot Description
61   imageU.S.S. Currituck, Screw Steamer, cover addressed to "Mr. I. Cohen, Hospital Steward on the U.S.S. Corrituck, [sic] Fort. Monroe, Old Point or Elsewhere", franked with a 3¢ rose (65) tied by a Washington D.C. c.d.s., May 16, 1862, two months after the epic Monitor - Virginia engagement,

Currituck was launched in 1843 as the Seneca. She was purchased by the Navy in September 1861 and commissioned as the Currituck in February 1862. Her first assignment was to tow U.S.S. Monitor to Hampton Roads so that the revolutionary new ironclad could meet the threat of the Confederate ironclad, C.S.S. Virginia (formerly U.S.S. Merrimack) . She spent the remainder of the war as part of the Potomac River Flotilla, convoying transports and hospital boats from Fredericksburg, Va., and also managing to take ten blockade-runners during the same period. (Image)

Get Market Data for [United States 65]

Suggested Bid $150-200
SOLD for $130.00
Will close during Public Auction
62   imageU.S.S. Essex, Ironclad River Gunboat, cover with manuscript endorsement "Ship Letter, USS Essex, June 28, 63" and handstamped with a partial "U.S. SHIP/ 3cts." in circle and sent to Weymouth Landing, Mass., Fine to Very Fine,

Essex was launched as the New Era in 1856. In 1861 she was acquired by the Army and outfitted as a timberclad gunboat and joined General Foote's Western Gunboat Flotilla, taking part in a Cumberland River expedition. Shortly thereafter she was renamed USS Essex and was refitted with iron armor and various other upgrades. In February 1862 she took part in the attack on Fort Henry, Tennessee. In October 1862 she was transferred from the Army to the Navy and took part in the capture of Fort Hudson and was part of the Red River Campaign. (Image)

Suggested Bid $200-300
SOLD for $170.00
Will close during Public Auction
63   imageU.S.S. Florida, Side-Wheel Steamer, Lady Liberty & George Washington Shield patriotic cover with "The War for the Union" (Weiss FP-GW 129, verse 2386) with manuscript endorsement "U.S. Steamer Florida, Ship Letter" at the upper right, handstamped "U.S. SHIP/3cts." and sent to Philadelphia; reduced slightly at the right, Fine to Very Fine,

Florida was acquired by the Navy in October 1861 and converted to a cruiser. She was assigned to the South Atlantic Blockading Squadron and participated in the operations that took Port Royal and positions in northern Florida and Georgia. She was later assigned to the North Atlantic Blockading Squadron, where she was successful in the capture or destruction of several blockade-runners. (Image)

Get Market Data for [United States Blockade]

Suggested Bid $400-600
SOLD for $275.00
Will close during Public Auction
64   imageU.S.S. Fort Donelson, Side-Wheel Steamer, cover addressed to "Dr. Max G. Raffler(?), S.S. 'Fort Donelson', New Inlet off Fort Fisher, N.C.", franked with a cork-canceled 3¢ rose (65) and postmarked Old Point Comfort, Va., Feb 23 (1865); include the original letter datelined "U S S Newbern, Hampton Roads 23 Feby 1865", Fine to Very Fine. A very scarce ship-to-ship letter.,

Fort Donelson was originally the British merchant steamer Giraffe, launched in May 1860 to serve as a blockade-runner. She was acquired by the Confederate Navy, renamed Robert E. Lee, and made her first voyage in January 1863 and established a near-legendary reputation as a blockade-runner, making 21 successful voyages in ten months. She was finally captured on her 22nd voyage in November 1863. She was then purchased by the Union Navy from a Boston Prize Court and, in June 1864, recommissioned U.S.S. Fort Donelson, joining the North Atlantic Blockading Squadron for the remainder of the war. (Image) (Image2)

image

Get Market Data for [United States ?]

Suggested Bid $150-200
SOLD for $180.00
Will close during Public Auction
65   imageU.S.S. Galena, Ironclad Corvette, cover addressed to "Lieut. James Parker, U.S. Steamer 'Galena', Old Point Comfort, Virginia", franked with a grid-canceled 3¢ rose (65) and postmarked with a Newark, N.J. c.d.s., Mar 9, 1863, Fine to Very Fine,

Galena was commissioned in April 1862 as one of three ironclads built to combat the C.S.S. Virginia. She joined the North Atlantic Blockading Squadron, but her armor was found to be too thin to prevent Confederate shots from penetrating. Regarded as a failure, she was reconstructed as a wooden-hulled screw steamer without most of her armor in 1863 and transferred to the West Gulf Blockading Squadron, participating in the Battle of Mobile Bay and subsequent siege of Fort Morgan in August 1864. She was briefly transferred to the East Gulf Blockading Squadron, then, after repairs in November, she rejoined the North Atlantic Blockading Squadron in March 1865. (Image)

Get Market Data for [United States 65]

Suggested Bid $150-200
CLOSED
Will close during Public Auction
66   imageU.S.S. Gamma, Screw Tug, cover addressed to "Henry F. Curtis, Act. Ens., Comdg. U.S.S. Gamma No. 3, Trents Reach, James River, Va.", franked with a 3¢ rose (65) neatly tied by a mostly clear Kennebunk, Me. c.d.s., Feb 7 (1865); unobtrusive central spindle hole, Very Fine,

Gamma was a small steamer built in 1863 as steamer R. F. Loper. She was acquired by the Navy in June 1864 and renamed Gamma, though also referred to as Tug Number 3 and Picket Boat Number 3. She was deployed as a picket on the James River and the Carolina Sounds. (Image)

Get Market Data for [United States 65]

Suggested Bid $150-200
CLOSED
Will close during Public Auction
67   imageU.S.S. Geranium, Converted Tug Gunboat, exceptionally clean cover addressed to "George E. Norris, Act. 3rd Asst. Engineer, U.S. Str. Geranium, Port Royal", franked with a grid-canceled 3¢ rose (65) and postmarked with a light Mar 10 Chelsea, Mass. c.d.s.; reduced slightly at the right, Very Fine,

Geranium (ex John A. Dix), with a complement of 39 to 45, was commissioned in 1863 and joined the South Atlantic Blockading Squadron. She served as a picket, dispatch and light supply ship. She participated in operations on Bull's Bay and diversionary amphibious operations that hastened the evacuation of Charleston. (Image)

Get Market Data for [United States 65]

Suggested Bid $200-300
SOLD for $150.00
Will close during Public Auction
68   imageU.S.S. Geranium, Converted Tug Gunboat, cover addressed to "Mr. George E. Norris, Act. 3rd Asst. Engineer, U.S. Str. Geranium, Port Royal, S.C.", franked with two 3¢ rose (65) with segmented cork cancels; docketed "Nov 13" with complete details of the letter [not present] in pencil on the reverse; one stamp missing a corner, otherwise Fine to Very Fine,

Geranium (ex John A. Dix), with a complement of 39 to 45, was commissioned in 1863 and joined the South Atlantic Blockading Squadron. She served as a picket, dispatch and light supply ship. She participated in operations on Bull's Bay and diversionary amphibious operations that hastened the evacuation of Charleston. (Image) (Image2)

image

Get Market Data for [United States 65]

Suggested Bid $150-200
CLOSED
Will close during Public Auction
69   imageU.S.S. Harriet Lane, Converted Side-Wheel Revenue Cutter, Lady Liberty & George Washington Shield patriotic cover with "The War for the Union" (Weiss E-L 277) with manuscript endorsement "From the U.S. Steamer Harriet Lane", postmarked with a clear "U.S. SHIP/3cts." in circle and sent to Philadelphia; major edge wear, about Fine,

Harriet Lane, with a complement of 100, was a converted revenue cutter transferred to the Navy. She fired the first shot of the Naval War April 11, 1861, off Charleston. She served as a mortar boat at New Orleans. On January 1, 1863, she was captured at Galveston Bay. (Image)

Get Market Data for [United States Blockade]

Suggested Bid $500-750
SOLD for $1,800.00
Will close during Public Auction
70   imageU.S.S. Hartford, Screw Sloop, cover with manuscript endorsement "From USS Hartford" with additional manuscript "Per Steamer 'Rhode Island" and handstamped "Due 3" and "SHIP" with a bold Philadelphia c.d.s., May 21, 1862, to General Wayne, Pa.; edge wear, about Fine. A rare two-ship cover, the Navy supply ship Rhode Island carrying mail from the sloop-of-war, Hartford, only a few weeks after the capture of New Orleans,

At the outbreak of the war the Hartford was ordered home and in December of 1861, she was fitted out for wartime service and departed from Delaware on January 28, 1862. She served as the flagship of Farragut's West Gulf Blockading Squadron. She dodged a run by the ironclad Manassas and then was grounded near Fort St. Phillip. She fought there and was included at the Battle of New Orleans. On March 14, 1863, she, along with six other ships, attempted to run the batteries at Port Hudson, with only the Hartford and Albatross succeeding. Thereafter they patrolled between Port Hudson and Vicksburg, denying the Confederacy the help of much-needed supplies from the west. She led the Battle of Mobile Bay as Farragut's flagship with four ironclad monitors and 14 wooden vessels. Twelve sailors were awarded the Medal of Honor for service in this battle. In December of 1864 she returned to New York for repairs and in July of 1865 she became the flagship for the Asiatic Squadron and served until 1868. She was recommssioned to serve the Asiatic Squadron in 1872 and served there until 1875. In 1882 she served as flagship of the North Atlantic Squadron until March 1884. She then cruised in the Pacific until decommissioning in 1887 at Mare Island, California, for apprentice sea-training use. She was rebuilt and recommissioned in October 1899, then transferred to the Atlantic coast to be used for a training and cruise ship for midshipmen until October 1912, when she was transferred to Charleston for use as a station ship. She was placed out of commssion in 1926 and eventually towed to Norfolk Navy Yard where she sank at her berth. (Image)

Suggested Bid $150-200
SOLD for $250.00
Will close during Public Auction
71   imageU.S.S. Housatonic, Screw Sloop, cover with manuscript endorsement "U. S. S. Housatonic" franked with a pair of 3¢ rose (65) tied two strikes of the scarce undated double-circle "U.S. SHIP" with fleuron (Milgram SH-17), Very Fine. According to Milgram, there are fewer than 25 recorded examples of this particular "U.S. SHIP" handstamp,

Housatonic, with a complement of 160, was commissioned in August 1862 and assigned to the South Atlantic Blockading Squadron. She operated with the outer Charleston harbor blockade and participated in attacks on Charleston. On February 17, 1864, she became the first ship sunk by a submarine. (Image)

Get Market Data for [United States 65]

Suggested Bid $1,000-1,500
SOLD for $1,500.00
Will close during Public Auction
72   imageU.S.S. Housatonic, Steam Sloop, cover with manuscript endorsement "U. S. S. Housatonic" franked with a pair of 3¢ rose (65) tied by two New York grid duplexes, Nov 19, 1863, to Williamsburgh, L. Island (New York), Very Fine,

Housatonic, with a complement of 160, was commissioned in August 1862 and assigned to the South Atlantic Blockading Squadron. She operated with the outer Charleston harbor blockade and participated in attacks on Charleston. On February 17, 1864, she became the first ship sunk by a submarine. (Image)

Get Market Data for [United States 65]

Suggested Bid $500-750
SOLD for $550.00
Will close during Public Auction
73   imageU.S.S. Housatonic, Screw Sloop, cover with manuscript endorsement "U. S. S. Housatonic" franked with a 3¢ rose (65) tied by a New York circle-of-wedges duplex, Dec 15, 1862, to Wickford, R.I., Fine to Very Fine,

Housatonic, with a complement of 160, was commissioned in August 1862 and assigned to the South Atlantic Blockading Squadron. She operated with the outer Charleston harbor blockade and participated in attacks on Charleston. On February 17, 1864, she became the first ship sunk by a submarine. (Image)

Get Market Data for [United States 65]

Suggested Bid $500-750
SOLD for $375.00
Will close during Public Auction
74   imageU.S.S. Hunchback, Side-Wheel Gunboat, small Lady Liberty with Shield patriotic cover (Weiss F-ST 57a) with manuscript endorsement "Naval letter, U S Stea. Hunchback, Richard Pasquell, Executive Officer", postmarked with a clear New Bern, N.C. c.d.s., Feb 19, 1863 and a bold handstamped "3", to Boston; address somewhat faded, still Very Fine,

Hunchback was a side-wheel New York City ferry with a complement of 125. She was purchased in 1861 and converted to a gunboat. Very active in the early operations in the Albemarle and Pamlico Sounds, she played an important role in the capture of New Bern. (Image)

Get Market Data for [United States Blockade]

Suggested Bid $350-500
SOLD for $450.00
Will close during Public Auction
75   imageU.S.S. Itasca, Unadilla-Class Gunboat, cover with printed endorsement "Naval letter, U.S. Gun Boat 'Itasca,' Executive Officer.", franked with a cork-canceled 3¢ rose (65) tied by an incomplete Key West, Fla. c.d.s. with an illegible date, to Great Falls, N.H.; reduced somewhat at the right, otherwise Very Fine. The printed Executive Officer's endorsement negated the need for postage, but a stamp was used anyway.,

A VERY RARE PRINTED NAVAL SHIP'S ENDORSEMENT.

Itasca was assigned to the West Gulf Blockading Squadron with a complement of 114. At New Orleans she served the chain blockading Farragut's fleet. She participated in the Lower Mississippi River Campaign, Galveston Blockade and Mobile Bay. (Image)

Get Market Data for [United States 65]

Suggested Bid $3,500-5,000
SOLD for $3,000.00
Will close during Public Auction
76   imageU.S.S. James L. Davis, Bark, cover addressed to "Act. Asst. Surgeon, J.F. Alleyne Adams, U.S.S. 'Jas. L. Davis', East Gulf Squadron, Key West, Florida" franked with a 3¢ rose (65) tied by a mostly clear Portland, Me. target duplex, Aug 25, 1864, and with a clear "DUE/6" handstamp, Fine to Very Fine. Apparently the letter was over half an ounce, requiring another 3¢ postage, and was charged a 2x3¢ penalty,

James L. Davis was a bark-rigged, wooden sailing vessel used by the Navy to patrole navigable waterways of the South. She arrived in Cedar Keys, Florida, in March 1862. During her time with the East Gulf Blockading Squadron she served as a blockader, supply ship, troop-landing vessel and conducted raids on salt works. (Image)

Get Market Data for [United States 65]

Suggested Bid $150-200
SOLD for $150.00
Will close during Public Auction
77   imageU.S.S. Katahdin, Unadilla-Class Gunboat, cover addressed to "Ensign George A. Wauner, Gun-boat Katardin [sic] New Orleans, La.", franked with a 3¢ rose (65) tied by a partial five-point star-in-circle and postmarked with a Duxbury, Mass. c.d.s., May 16 (1862), Fine to Very Fine,

Katahdin with a complement of 114 passed the forts at New Orleans with Farragut and served on the lower Mississippi. Later she operated on the Texas coast. She was decommissioned in July 1865. (Image)

Get Market Data for [United States 65]

Suggested Bid $150-200
SOLD for $100.00
Will close during Public Auction
78   imageU.S.S. Kearsarge, Screw Sloop of War, cover from station off the Azores via London, England with small manuscript endorsement "From U.S.S. Kearsarge", postmarked on the reverse with a red London c.d.s., Sep 9, 1863 with a red straightline "PACKET LETTER", rated "12/CENTS" Azores to Great Britain, plus 16¢ transatlantic and 5¢ U.S. inland totaling "33" (pence handstamp) or "U.S. NOTES/45" (handstamp) with a Sep 22 "New York Am. Pkt." c.d.s.; addressed to South Braintree, Mass. and "forwarded" (manuscript) to Plymouth with 3¢ forwarding added to the 45¢, making the addressee liable for "Due 48 cts" (manuscript); a fabulous transatlantic civil war naval ship cover, though with major edge wear and some repairing at the right,

Kearsage was best known for her defeat of the Confederate Commerce raider Alabama. She was built in 1861 under the American Civil War emergency ship building program, launching on September 11, 1861, and commissioned on January 24, 1862, with Captain Charles Pickering in command. (Image)

Get Market Data for [United States Blockade]

Suggested Bid $350-500
SOLD for $400.00
Will close during Public Auction
79   imageU.S.S. Kensington, Screw Steamer, cover with manuscript endorsement "Naval letter from U. S. Str. Kensington", franked with a target-canceled 3¢ rose (65) and postmarked New Orleans, Feb 20, 1863, to Milton Mills, N.H., docketed as received Mar 5, Fine to Very Fine,

Kensington served from February 1862 to May 1865 with a crew of 72. She was a water supply ship and resupplied Farragut at New Orleans. She delivered water to blockaders off Texas and Louisiana. She also served as a bombardment ship and took or participated in the taking of nine blockade-runners. (Image)

Get Market Data for [United States 65]

Suggested Bid $200-300
SOLD for $225.00
Will close during Public Auction
80   imageU.S.S. Lodona, Screw Steamer, cover with manuscript endorsement "U. S. S. 'Lodona'" franked with a pair of 3¢ rose (65) tied by two Oct 9 New York grid duplexes, to Williamsburgh, L. I., N.Y.; reduced just a hair at the right, Very Fine,

Lodona was a British steamer that was captured attempting to run the Union blockade in August 1862. She was acquired by the Navy the next month and commissioned in January 1863, joining the South Atlantic Blockading Squadron, and decommissioned in May 1865. (Image)

Get Market Data for [United States 65]

Suggested Bid $150-200
SOLD for $600.00
Will close during Public Auction

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