Indian Ocean (Feb. 25, 2005) – The High Speed Vessel Two (HSV 2) Swift, left, Military Sealift Command (MSC) hospital ship USNS Mercy (T-AH 19), center, and MSC supply ship USNS San Jose (T-AFS 7) shown operating in formation in the Indian Ocean. Mercy is serving as an enabling platform to assist humanitarian operations ashore in ways that host nations and international relief organization find useful. Mercy is currently off the waters of Indonesia in support of Operation Unified Assistance, the humanitarian relief effort to aid the victims of the tsunami that struck Southeast Asia.

SAN DIEGO (NNS) -- The USS Abraham Lincoln (CVN 72) Carrier Strike Group (ALCSG), including Abraham Lincoln and Carrier Air Wing (CVW) 2, returns home next week after an extended deployment to the Western Pacific and Indian Ocean.

Lincoln will make a brief stop at Naval Station (NAVSTA) Pearl Harbor, Feb. 23. CVW-2 aircraft will fly off Lincoln while off the coast of San Diego Feb. 28. Lincoln will pull into Naval Air Station (NAS) North Island on the morning of March 1 to offload the rest of CVW-2. Lincoln will return to Naval Station Everett, Wash., on the morning of March 4.

As was the previous case for Lincoln, along with accompanying air wing and ships, the current deployment turned out to be anything but typical. After a port visit to Hong Kong over the Christmas holiday season, ALCSG immediately responded to provide humanitarian assistance and disaster relief in the wake of the Indian Ocean tsunami in Southeast Asia.

On New Year’s Day, Sailors from the ALCSG began to deliver vital food, water and medicine to help stabilize life-threatening situations, as well as provide helicopter transportation for displaced persons. From first light to sundown, helicopters from San Diego-based Helicopter Anti-submarine Squadron (HS) 2 “Golden Falcons,” Helicopter Anti-submarine Squadron Light (HSL) 47 “Saberhawks” and Helicopter Combat Support Squadron (HC) 11 "Gunbearers" carried out missions into Banda Aceh, the provincial capital, and along the Sumatran coastline, rendered inaccessible due to the devastation caused by the tsunami.

From Jan. 1 until Feb. 4, ALCSG aircraft flew 1,747 missions in support of Operation Unified Assistance (OUA), carried 5,711,866 pounds of supplies, including 16,308 gallons of water, and transported 3,043 passengers. Over 1,200 crew members from the ship and air wing volunteered to go ashore and assist. Medical personnel from Lincoln treated 259 people. Also, more than 200 patients were medically evacuated for further treatment.

Besides OUA involvement, Lincoln made port calls to Hong Kong and Singapore, and participated in six community relation projects with 125 volunteers. The ship also hosted dignitaries such as U.S. Ambassador to Singapore Frank Lavin; U.S. Ambassador to Indonesia, B. Lynn Pascoe; Dr. Paul Wolfowitz, Deputy Secretary of Defense; and Commander, U.S. Pacific Command Adm. Thomas Fargo.

The ship’s involvement attracted media locally from Southeast Asia, such as Indonesia, Thailand, Malaysia and Singapore, as well as numerous other national and international media outlets. In all, Lincoln hosted 111 media representatives aboard while off the coast of Sumatra, as well as held media availability sessions in Hong Kong for 63 foreign and local press, and 19 local press members in Singapore.

Lincoln’s involvement in OUA highlighted the entire ALCSG surge deployment under the Fleet Response Plan (FRP), as well as the Navy’s sea-basing concept of being able to undertake such a mission solely from the sea. Adm. Walter Doran, commander, U.S. Pacific Fleet, recently lauded the effort, saying, “It showed the agility of naval forces. It showed our ability to get there quickly.”

ALCSG is one of the first carrier strike groups to deploy under the Navy’s new FRP. The FRP, unveiled in 2003 by Chief of Naval Operations Adm. Vern Clark, redefines the manner that the Navy deploys its forces to more closely match operational needs.

FRP deployments are hinged on the concept of “presence with a purpose” in various strategic theaters worldwide. While deployed in the Western Pacific, ALCSG supported the nation’s defense and cooperative security commitments overseas, such as a joint training exercises with Japanese Maritime Self Defense Force ships.

Capt. Kendall Card commands Lincoln. It is the flagship for the ALCSG, commanded by Rear Adm. Doug Crowder. Lincoln is also home to Destroyer Squadron 9, commanded by Capt. Jon W. Kaufman, and CVW-2, commanded by Capt. Lawrence D. Burt.

The ALCSG consists of the guided-missile cruiser USS Shiloh (CG 67) and guided-missile destroyer USS Benfold (DDG 65), both homeported at NAVSTA San Diego. Other ships include NAVSTA Everett-based guided-missile destroyer USS Shoup (DDG 86) and NAVSTA Bremerton, Wash.-based fast-combat support ship USNS Rainier (T-AOE 7). HC-11, Det. 2, assigned to Rainer, is based at NAS North Island.

CVW-2 consists of HS-2, HSL-47, and Fleet Logistics Support Squadron (VRC) 30, Det. 4 from NAS North Island; Strike Fighter Squadron (VFA) 2, VFA-137, and VFA-151 from NAS Lemoore, Calif.; Carrier Airborne Early Warning Squadron (VAW) 116 from NAS Point Mugu, Calif.; Electronic Attack Squadron (VAQ) 131, from NAS Whidbey Island, Wash.; and VFA-82 from Marine Corps Air Station, Beaufort, S.C.

From U.S. 6th Fleet Public Affairs

GAETA, Italy (NNS) -- Vice Adm. Harry Ulrich, commander, U.S. 6th Fleet, transferred his flag from USS La Salle (AGF 3) to USS Mount Whitney (LCC/JCC 20) Feb. 25 in a ceremony aboard both ships.

“During its time here, La Salle has distinguished itself over and over by providing simply outstanding support to the 6th Fleet staff, and also to Striking and Support Forces NATO staff,” said Ulrich. “I am greatly anticipating my first embark aboard USS Mount Whitney with the Joint Command Lisbon staff this spring.”

Mount Whitney followed the flagship turnover with a change of command. Mount Whitney’s former Commanding Officer, Capt. Christopher Wode, was excited about the ship’s new role.

“I’m thrilled to be here in Gaeta," Wode said. "This is the third time in my career that I’ve had the opportunity to spend time in Gaeta. This is a wonderful place to live and work.”

Mount Whitney most recently served as the command ship for U.S. 2nd Fleet in Norfolk, Va. Mount Whitney’s transition to U.S. 6th Fleet brings increased capabilities and a new ship manning philosophy to Naval Forces in Europe.

In preparation for its new role, Mount Whitney underwent a two-month shipyard period to upgrade automated electronics systems. Also, Mount Whitney’s size advantage over La Salle allows for enhanced command and control capabilities for U.S. 6th Fleet, as well as NATO forces in Europe.

To improve efficiency and effectiveness, Mount Whitney is also embracing a new manning model. Down from 576 active-duty Sailors, ship’s company now includes a mix of 157 active-duty Navy and 146 civilian mariners, a change expected to save the Navy more than $100,000 annually, with the same or higher operational capabilities.

The transfer marks more than a decade of La Salle’s exemplary service as the U.S. 6th Fleet flagship. La Salle immediately departs for Norfolk, Va., where it will be decommissioned after 40 years of service.

“This past year has been particularly successful. This ship has been underway every month, except for October’s maintenance period,” said La Salle Commanding Officer, Capt. Herman Shelanski. “This crew performed superbly.”

Commissioned as an amphibious transport dock ship (LPD) in February 1964, and converted to a miscellaneous command ship (AGF) in 1972, La Salle served as U.S. 6th Fleet flagship from November 1994 to February 2005.

Prior to U.S. 6th Fleet flagship duties, La Salle was forward-deployed as flagship for the Middle East Force. March 12, 1991, it was the first U.S. Navy warship to enter the newly liberated port of Ash Shuaybah, Kuwait.

“USS La Salle has performed admirably, and its readiness in this area has been an enormous contribution here,” said Ulrich. “Mount Whitney, you will have some giant shoes to fill in taking over as my flagship. This is also the European flagship. Mount Whitney’s capabilities are just magnificent, and I have no doubt that Mount Whitney will serve the 6th Fleet extremely well.”

Mount Whitney is already accustomed to European and African waters, as it served as temporary U.S. 6th Fleet flagship in 1999, NATO command headquarters in Kosovo, and supported Operation Enduring Freedom on a seven-month deployment to the Horn of Africa region.

Mount Whitney was constructed by the Newport News Shipbuilding and Drydock Company, and commissioned in 1971. It is named for the 14,946-foot peak in the Sierra-Nevada range in California, the highest point in the lower continental United States. Mount Whitney is 190 meters long, 32 meters wide and can reach speeds up to 23 knots

2 hour warning ;-)

Hi all, just wanted to pass this along, no more rank or shop allowed on the
mail, so don't put 1stLt Hoffner, J.J. /S-2 just Hoffner, J.J.
-----Original Message-----
From: Serpas, Jennifer CPL
Sent: Saturday, February 26, 2005 4:59 AM
To: Name of Unit-ALLHANDS
Subject: Hightened Postal Security Procedures

As Per the U.S. Post Office, Due to hightened security please do not include your rank on any outgoing or incoming mail & parcels. Please form your family members and friends to exercise these precautions.

V/R, SSgt Torres

they are at
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v356/ProsStamps/two/batch13-05011.jpg

and
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v356/ProsStamps/two/batch13-05010.jpg

the Wyoming and the Virginia

also picked up a PC from a sailor serving on "old half- seas Under " his return address notation anyone with an idea of what ship this was. In the card he notes "seems like an Officer for each of us seamen"

Thanks as Usual

Hello Jake

The USS Pittsburgh, along with its crew of 13 officers and 121 enlisted personnel arrived at about 1 p.m., according to a statement released by Public Affairs Officer Deborah White.

While at the yard, the nuclear submarine will undergo various maintenance work and receive several system upgrades. Kittery will serve has the host community for the crew.

During an address to the Dover Rotary Club on Wednesday, shipyard commander Capt. John Iverson said the yard hoped to complete its work on the Pittsburgh in record-breaking time.

A Los Angeles-class attack submarine, the Pittsburgh is one of the most advanced vessels in the world, the statement says. Constructed in 1983 and launched in 1984, the sub was commissioned in 1985.

In December 2004, the Pittsburgh completed a four-month Southern Pacific deployment which included two excursions through the Panama Canal.

On March 21, 2003, the sub launched its first-strike missiles in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom.

The Pittsburgh’s commanding officer, Cmdr. David J. Hahn, graduated from the U.S. Naval Academy with distinction in 1985. After completing nuclear power and basic submarine training he reported to the Casimir Pulaski.

In 1989, how was selected as a flag lieutenant and aide to the superintendent at the Naval Academy. he then reported as engineer officer to William H. Bates where he completed three deployments.

He then served at Submarine Development Squadron 12 in New London, Conn., followed by a tour of duty aboard the Springfield.

Hahn has been awarded the Defense Meritorious Service Medal, the Meritorious Service Medal, the Navy Commendation Medal, the Navy Achievement Medal and various campaign and unit awards.

USS Jimmy Carter Joins Navy Fleet
The USS Jimmy Carter enters the Navy's fleet as the most heavily armed submarine ever built, and as the last of the Seawolf class of attack subs....More...(hit link, I can't download...)

http://thesaltysailor.com/ships.htm

The covers shown on the website are the covers included in the auction (minus what Larsen needs for his collection).

I purchased this collection for my son’s birthday. There are a lot of covers that he already has in his collection and others that don’t fit into his current collection.

Auction Rules

1. USCS Members are given priority status (non-USCS members may bid, but if a USCS member bids any amount, the USCS member will prevail).

2. Highest bid wins (e-mail date stamp will determine first bidder in case of tie bids). Bids can be a dollar amount or an item/items in trade.

3. Provide a list of covers you desire with offer, your name & your USCS membership number when placing bids.

4. Bids will work as follows: You pay what you bid, e.g., if you bid $5 and someone else bids $8, the item will sell for $8. There are no bid increments, no minimum bids, no reserves, no restrictions… you will either win or someone will outbid you… it’s that simple.

5. Auction ends at 8:00 p.m. SHARP on Sunday, February 27, 2005. Any unsold items will be placed for sale on eBay on Monday, February 28, 2005.

6. All winning bidders will be notified at 8:00 p.m. on Sunday, February 27, 2005. Payment can be made via PayPal to lafoe@comcast.net or via snail mail.

80% of the items can be viewed online at: http://thesaltysailor.com/ships.htm There are approximately 400 covers online, there are links, within links, within links. Let me know if you have any questions. (I guess there is one restriction… items needed for Larsen’s collection will not be sold.)

If you know any other USCS member that collects submarine covers that doesn’t frequent the chat page, feel free to forward this information to them.

Good Luck!

Larry

Hey Amigo's, here are some photo's when of our MK 48 ADCAP torpedoes fired from an Australian submarine hits a surface ship. As has always been said there are two types of ships submarines and targets. Enjoy Hank B.

http://www.ssbn622.homestead.com/sinkex.html

Pennant Name
AC-1 Vestal
AC-2 Ontario
AC-3 Jupiter
AC-4 Cyclops
AC-5 Vulcan
AC-6 Mars
AC-7 Hector
AC-8 Neptune
AC-9 Proteus
AC-10 Nereus
AC-11 Orion
AC-12 Jason
AC-13 Abarenda
AC-14 Ajax ex Scindia
AC-15 Brutus
AC-16 Caesar
None Hannibal
None Justin
None Leonidas
None Merrimac
None Quincy
None Saturn
None Southery

What's it for: Basic home computing tasks such as sending e-mail, browsing the Web, and light photo editing.

Who's it for: Bargain hunters; those curious about trying the Mac OS X and iLife software; media mavens on the prowl for an HD-capable DVR box.

The bottom line: Apple trimmed some corners to keep the Mac Mini's price so low, but its great design and big software bundle make it a winner among BUDGET PCs.

If you like the Mac fine. But it may not be around too long. There are hints that Apple is shifing focus to the much more lucrative MP3 and consumer electronics market. The weakness of the Mac is that it's single-source hardware.

It will tell you if someone has directed you to a fake URL.

Yes I remember telling him to contact you, glad you could help and the USCS as well

Also rececived my USS JIMMY CARTER FDCs back from Groton with exceptionally nice stikes.

Larry LaFoe:
You are not alone, I too did not rececive any USS HAMPTON covers :-(

Chas. Henry
I'll drop you an e-mail later with the e-bay stamp chat story.

I am saddened to report the passing of USCS member Harold Chamberlain.

Anyone else have any Carter Commissioning covers for sale?

Does this qualify as a "historical item"?
eBay 5560280288

Bruce

What is this thing on "Censorship"??

Hi all -

I am in contact with Jim Streeter of Groton CT, son of cachet artist K. E. Streeter. He's interested in learning more about his father's work, and has some of the original cachet art. Please drop me an email, and I'll pass your name to him.

Bruce
bdliddell@yahoo.com

Got this today.

Lonely sailor doing his duty, Foriegn Mission, Combat involved On land I know But they were there.
Image is at
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v356/ProsStamps/batch11-05013.jpg

"Please write been here for two months and have no idea how long we will stay on Account of the trouble down here." Hal Yarrington

The senior serving officer present was VADM Munns. He is one of the three most brilliant naval officers I've met. Recently, he completed a long tour supervising the installation of Navy Marine Corps Intranet. I first met him on OPNAV staff where he was a post command Captain with two DSM's and a PUC or two. I gather the DSMs, which are unheard of for non-flag officers, are the type that the Selection Board sees noted only as "The President of the United States takes pleasure in awarding the Distinguished Service Medal to ... [citation classified Top Secret]."

Finally, from navy.mil:
Vice Adm. Munns presents the Seawolf-class nuclear-powered attack submarine USS Jimmy Carter's (SSN 23) commissioning pennant to former first lady Rosalynn Carter at the Commanding Officer's Reception to celebrate the Carter's commissioning on February 19, 2005. Jimmy Carter is the third and final submarine of the Seawolf-class. A unique feature of the Jimmy Carter is a 100-foot hull extension called the Multi-Mission Platform, which provides enhanced payload capabilities, enabling the submarine to accommodate the advanced technology required to develop and test a new generation of weapons, sensors and undersea vehicles.

Up Periscope!


If you wanted to see over a short wall without being detected, what could you do? If you've seen spy movies or movies featuring submarines or army tanks, then you are probably aware of a tool called a periscope.

Periscope comes from two Greek words, "peri," meaning "around," and "scopus," meaning "to look." A periscope lets you look around walls, corners, or other obstacles without being seen. Submarines have periscopes so the sailors inside can see what's on the surface of the water, even if the ship itself is far below the surface. Periscopes can provide valuable visual data during battle and when determining the ship's position. Periscopes on newer submarines can take photographs with a 70-mm digital camera and then display those images on a television monitor. Some periscopes also have night vision, a still camera, and a video camera and can magnify images being viewed.

A simple periscope requires a vertical tube with mirrors placed at a 45-degree angle at the top and bottom of the tube. These devices basically collect light from an image and direct that light from one mirror at the top of the periscope to the mirror at the bottom of the periscope.

Despite its valued service for more than 80 years, the U.S. Navy will soon retire the conventional periscope, replacing it with non-penetrating imaging devices called "photonics masts." These are basically high-resolution cameras that capture and send visual images to flat panel displays in a submarine's control room.

Picture an antenna rising up from the submarine like it does from a car. Instead of using prisms and lenses, the new devices will use electronic imaging equipment. They will have three cameras— a color camera, a high-resolution black-and-white camera, and an infrared camera—to provide imaging for the submarine. One of the cameras will be highly sensitive and will be protected in a separate, pressure-proof and shock-hardened housing. There is also a range finder that uses lasers to find targets.

Though the military is saying goodbye to the original periscope, new periscopes have been developed that allow doctors to view inside the human body without having to resort to major surgery. What other uses do you see for the periscope?

The prefix seems to fit and I don't think anyone questions "scope".
peri-

prefix

1. around, surrounding
pericarp

2. near
perilune
perinatal

[From Greek peri “around, about.” Ultimately from an Indo-European word which is also the ancestor of English far, per-, and paradise.]

In common usage a periscope is understood to rise above its surrounding, usually the sea, to give a view of the otherwise obstructed. The developing "periscope" technology will cause the hairs to raise on the back of our necks compared with what we've seen over the years. Most modern submarine museums have landbased periscopes for the enjoyment of children of all ages.

I have to recalculate the time differnce in 1941 between Pearl and the East coast. I remember that it was not not a smooth hour but x.5 hours difference. The Japanese had trouble with the tranlation of the embassy note to Secretary Hull, I thought they were supposed to deliver at 1300 local east coast time before the attack. I'll have to dig out Prange.

Interesting comments about add ons. The fundamental rule that all should find acceptable is the need to place the add on identifing information on the face of the cover to prevent intentional or unintentional misidentification. With the add on data elsewhere the posting on a website or elsewhere may not be a full disclosure. No one seems to disagree that the add on data needs to be disclosed. Placing it anywhere other than the face of the cover is aiding and abetting. Perhaps the year of the cachet should be placed on all cachets, add ons and not.

You get the drift... a ship's history is routinely cacheted (a ship‘s anniversary, commissioning, decommissioning, launching, keel laying, Change of Command, Navy Day, July 4th, Christmas, are all fair game in my opinion). However, the date of a historical event, a rare cover, pre-cacheted covers, etc. are not fair game in my opinion. Very rarely, if ever have cachets ever appeared on a specific historical date (that is unplanned significant historical events - not talking about planned events like Apollo11, etc.) In the case of sunk ships/subs that have so few covers available, adding an add-on cachet takes something away from the cover, the value and the significance of the cover… in my opinion.

My response to your statement: “Is that "tampering with history"?” Anything we add to an existing cover is “tampering with history”. But it’s up to the individual that is doing the tampering to determine if they are responsibly adding to or detracting from that covers history.

As many of you know, when I began collecting naval covers a short time ago, I was adamantly against any type of add-on cachets. In a few short months, I’ve accepted the art of add-on cachets done responsibly. My point is… get examples in your hands - not just look at them on eBay, the internet, etc. Hold them in your hands, review the work, analyze the effect of a cover without a cachet and one with a responsibly added cachet… then make your decision. I’ve purchased many add-on cachets of late and none of them have turned me away from buying more covers with add-on cachets. Yes, I’m selective. I won’t buy a cover as in Bruce’s example - which is not his listing. ;-) I have yet to buy a cover with an add-on (to my knowledge) prior the 1970s and most likely will not. Bob Quintero, Roger Wentworth, Dave Kent and others have done a terrific job of showing me through their work and their words, that there is absolutely NO harm in adding a cachet to an existing cover when done responsibly by a responsible cachet maker.

So was Homer's Troy, when my grandfather's grandfather was alive. (But I agree with you. The concept of "Atlantis" is so ambiguous that almost any drowned city could fit the bill, and Mare Nostrum has drowned cities on every coast.)

Bruce

Not me! I didn't do it! I didn't post the add-on, I just spotted it on eBay and tossed it out for comments.

L>> "I will not intentionally buy a cover with an add-on cachet added to a cover of historical significance."

Can you define "historical significance"? I sold a USS CALIFORNIA BB-44 cover, postmarked on her 15th birthday, with an add-on cachet that advertised that anniversary. Is that "tampering with history"?

Bruce

I will buy a cover with an add-on cachet that has been added to a philatelic cover that had no previous cachet - and here's the controversial part - even if it's not properly marked. (Here's my theory. What’s the difference between a cover that had a cachet added contemporary to the cover, unidentified as to whom the cachet maker was, or one added a few years later by someone else? There's really no way to distinguish the two.) I’ve come to truly admire the beauty of a hand-drawn/colored/painted cachet added to a cover, as long as it is done well enough not to look out-of-place.

I will not intentional buy a cover, like the one posted by Bruce, that has an additional cachet added to a cover with an existing cachet.

I will not intentionally buy a cover with an add-on cachet added to a cover of historical significance.

I will not intentionally buy a cover with an add-on cachet added to a "Sailor's" letter.

These are all I can think of at the moment… I’m sure there’s some one-off’s I’m missing, but this is essentially the foundation to my buying criteria.

http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&category=684&item=5559893048

Bruce

I've seen a legitimate cover from USS WASHINGTON BB-56 postmarked 07-Dec-1941. I think she was at the Wash DC Navy Yard for post-shakedown work, and the ship's crew was working that Sunday.

Bruce

With all the comment on the Pensy 12/7/41 I looked through all my BB and found an Arkansas dated 12/7/41. I need to check the stamp. Way to go John Young on providing a good tool to determine authenticity.

http://defencetalk.com/pictures/displayimage.php?album=search&cat=0&pos=1

Srini Balasubramanium, India Daily, 13 Jan 05

The U.S. Navy submarine accident that killed one sailor and injured 24 others occurred when the vessel -- traveling at high speed -- hit an undersea mountain head-on, Pentagon officials said recently. The mountain was uncharted while the submarine was in the area that was

supposed to be charted. There is absolutely no evidence that the submarine was attacked or collided with another naval vessel. This story has a major untouched issue that needs to be addressed by USGS and other similar bodies under UN and other nations. While there is no reason to believe the above 9.0 Richter earthquake has anything to do with the new unknown mountain, in many parts of the world, the sources are reporting extreme changes in the earth's crust and severe tectonic movement. The submarine was traveling in excess of 33 knots -- about 35 mph -when its nose hit the undersea formation head-on, officials said. This again points to unknown tectonic activities that are unnoticed by our monitoring services. Common assumption is that tectonic plates move and earth's crust changes through earthquakes and sudden stress relief. According to

some Geological experts that may not be true always. There are cases where earth's crust has reshaped itself in a relatively silent way. In addition, according to a large number of oceanographers, our earthquake and Tsunami monitoring systems in the ocean are not capable of

monitoring many of the underwater deformations and changes. If really an under water mountain came up in recent days without any notice to the present civilization then this can be serious trouble in the coming days. First, the commercial and military vessels, ships as well as submarines are vulnerable in sailing in uncharted water. But even more dangerous, there may be some mega tectonic changes coming and we are slipping under a catastrophic time bomb. If you look at history, there were similar signs before Atlantis was struck with massive tectonic devastation. There were underwater and on the surface deformation and movements that finally built up the quick devastating catastrophe. Some Geologists are saying that the tectonic movements all over the world are all related. Some even bring in the theory that atmospheric extremes are always accompanied with major tectonic changes.

Deck logs and similar materials are available through PIKE Military Research, at http://www.militaryunits.com/ :
PIKE Military Research
1539 Foxhall Road NW
Washington, DC 20007
(202) 338-4249

Robert, good sunday morning to you.

The scary thing about a flashfood in the desert is the nose. You would think you could hear rusging water, but it is the sound of gravel, rocks and debris accompanied by the roar of the water that is so different.

Wikipedia - The name comes from the Hawaiian word wiki which means very fast or quick.
(Heard it on an ad)

Found at http://history.acusd.edu/gen/USPics/moffett/60th.html

The ship also came equipped with another scouting oddity known as a "spy" car. A cable would lower the telephone boothlike compartment from the airship to a point below cloud cover up to 1,000 feet. A crewman inside the spy car would then telephone back to the main control room relaying navigational information. The car acted as a sort of reverse telescope. The Macon and the Akron were built to be the chief scouts of the Pacific Fleet, providing long-range reconnaissance. In addition to providing protection for the "aircraft of the sky," the Sparrowhawks and the "spy" car were the ships' main eyes.

It is possible that the plan was to hide in the clouds and drop the observaton car to look around. Very interesting use of the term "Periscope"

Was doing a little more Navy Day research today at the huge microfilm cache at the official California State Library. Nice use of our tax dollars. The Macon made an appearance for Navy Day 1934. She flew over a Keel Laying and dropped flowers. Mellone's lising of Macon covers lists over 90 for the day in the SF Bay area. An interesting trivia item I found in the Vallejo paper for 26 October 34 is a warning to small airplanes to NOT fly under the Macon. Stated reason was she was going to use for the first time a 3000 (that's right 3000) foot periscope suspended under the airship. Evidently this was some type of hanging basket. That would be a fun ride. Anybody know anything about this?

http://www.ibiblio.org/phha/Battleship_Row.html

http://www.ibiblio.org/phha/

http://en.wikipedia.org

I have a Crosby cover from the USS ST. LOUIS cancelled Dec 7, 1941. There is no dounbt in my mind that it is backdated if not an outright fraud. I keep it to remind my of the phrases, "Buyer Beware," and, Barnum's "A sucker is born every minute."

PORTSMOUTH — Two U.S. Navy sailors were transported to Portsmouth Regional Hospital on Thursday night after a fire on board the USS Jacksonville at the Portsmouth Naval Shipyard.

It was the second fire in about two months on board the nuclear submarine, which is currently undergoing an Engineered Refueling Overhaul at Dry Dock 2.

At about 6:55 p.m. Thursday, the Portsmouth Naval Shipyard Fire Department responded to what Public Affairs Officer Debbie White described as a “small fire” in a statement released Friday morning.

The fire was located in a forward compartment of the ship, White said.

“It was immediately extinguished and the situation is under control,” White said in the release. “All non-essential personnel were temporarily evacuated from the Ship.”

Two shipyard employees and six sailors were treated at the scene of the fire for minor smoke inhalation, according to the statement. Six of the patients were released and returned to work status.

The two sailors who were transported to the hospital for evaluation have since been released.

White described the damage to the submarine as “minor charring of hull insulation in a small area.” An investigation into the cause of the fire is in progress, she said.

Another fire that occurred on board the Jacksonville in December had also been described as “small” according to a statement the public affairs office released Dec. 21.

In the December fire, the bottom two rungs of an aluminum ladder, several temporary services hoses and a light were damaged, according to the release. Those repairs, estimated to cost less than $10,000 were not expected to have an impact on the submarine’s overhaul schedule, officials said.

Since last month, the ship has been conducting seismic research off Yucatan said to be aimed at researching the 120 mile diameter Chicxulb Crater, centered off the port of Progreso, about 190 miles west of Cancun. The crater may have been caused by an asteroid impact, theorized to have led to the extinction of the dinosaurs.
PROFEPA says the vessel's hull has been injurious to coral and has damaged about 10 square meters of coral.

The extent of financial penalties sought will be established over the next several days--and the ship could be temporarily placed under arrest to ensure payment.

The father of the submariner who died when the USS San Francisco hit a seamount last month said he disapproves of a Navy decision to punish the captain, Cmdr. Kevin Mooney, for the accident.

“How could I in my right mind hold him responsible? No one has showed me yet that he did anything wrong,” said Daniel Ashley, the parent of Machinist Mate 2nd Class Joseph Ashley. “I'm just having a difficult time justifying in my mind that he is to blame here.”

Ashley said he is upset that satellite images of the area taken in 1999 show the seamount, but that information was never incorporated into Navy charts. He said the Pentagon needs a process to get the most updated information into Navy charts.

“The crew jumped through all the hoops, they took all the soundings, they did everything they should have done,” Ashley said. “The captain tried to apologize when we went out to Guam last month and I told him he had nothing to apologize for.”

That same sentiment has been expressed by many in the submarine community, and is spreading quickly on computer bulletin boards and e-mails.

“There are hundreds of submariners who would go to bat for him, all he has to do is say the word,” said Ron “Warshot” Smith of Austin, Texas, a World War II submariner who is a close friend of Mooney.

The San Francisco was enroute to Australia Jan. 10, traveling near its top speed at a depth of 500 feet, when it slammed into a sea mount, in an area where Navy charts list 6,000 feet of water. MM2 Ashley was killed and 98 others were injured, 23 so badly they could not perform their duties.

Mooney was reassigned to shore duty Jan. 20, and on Friday the commander of the U.S. Seventh Fleet found him guilty of putting the ship in a dangerous situation. He was relieved of command and given a punitive letter of reprimand, essentially ending his career.

“Everybody is in disbelief, but nobody is really blasting the Navy directly,” said Ron Martini, a former submariner who runs a popular submarine bulletin board on the Internet from his home in Sheridan, Wyo. “I'd say 100 percent of the posts are supportive of the crew, and 80 percent, at least, are showing at least some degree of dismay about what happened to Commander Mooney.”

Tom Grudier of Montville was a sonarman on the USS Sturgeon when it ran into St. Croix in 1973. The captain of that ship was relieved of command as well, but that accident followed a string of problems and most of the crew thought it was warranted, he said.

“Based on what I've read, the San Francisco situation seemed a little muddled,” Grudier said. “I'm not shocked there are people upset that he was relieved — in fact, I'm not happy about it myself.”

John Carcioppolo, a retired master chief radioman and commander of the Groton base of U.S. Submarine Veterans, knows crewmen on the San Francisco, including a man on the navigation team, “and they are still behind him 100 percent.”

“I don't know all the circumstances of this case, but I would have thought (Mooney) would be right on the money,” Carcioppolo said. “But I also know that there has to be accountability, and unfortunately it's usually the captain.”

“Most of the reaction on the board is that he's a scapegoat for the higher-ups,” said James L. Christley of Lisbon, a retired senior chief electrician's mate. “That's rarely the truth, but I don't know enough about what went on to cause him to hit the mountain to have a position.”

Terry Jones, a retired Navy captain and former submarine skipper, dismissed speculation that Mooney might have been punished unfairly.

“There would be no reason to make an example of the commanding officer, so I have to believe his superior in command has enough facts to be doing the right thing,” Jones said.

Re: Censorship.
I'm confused about the censorship issue. What it the subject, or the words? George Carlin's "Seven Little Words" are not appropriate, but what's wrong with boobs? I'm quite attached to them myself, whenever I can.

Bruce

Bruce

Paul - I put aside a few stacks of OREGON covers for any groups soliciting in Linn's. Nothing in the current issue but I will keep looking.

Some early pieces of trivia. The newspapers consistently refer to submarines as "Divers". Took me awhile to figure out what was meant. Each Navy Day had a huge boxing tournaments of ship's champ against base champ. One big thing in the mid 1920 was to eat at the Base Cafeteria. Its wonderful to note the tremendous response from the community during these Base Open houses. Mare Island had over 3000 visitors for the 1926 Navy Day. My favorite activity I have read about so far is an activity that occured in 1933

USS Bass will demonstrate " What a submarine does when it dives while high and dry in Dry Dock #1. Movement of diving fins, rudder and other gear used in gliding beneath the surface of the sea.

That would have been a kick to see.

Paul

http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&category=684&item=5559239236&rd=1

Thanks in advance!

http://www.wsradio.com/apsstamptalk/

If you want a TiVo effect, the USCS portion begins at 3:07 and ends at 18:43

"Roger Friday, January 28, 2005 at 15:27:22 69.40.16.191
Larry LaFoe:
I don't have a mermaid fetish. I actually have a boob fetish! LOL!!!"

This is a cut-and-paste of your post today:

"I enjoy a good spirited discussion, but I will not participate in those that are sexual in nature, or that are chauvinistic or demeaning toward women."

You're overreacting to Drew's postings (Is Drew a member of the USCS?). We both know the content of your e-mails to me and the content of our phone conversations.

Who owns USCS.org? If the USCS does, which I assume it does, then my dues pay for this site too... and as such, we ALL should be able to post to this site. If MED Associates does, then it shouldn't be called U.S.C.S. Chat it should be called MED Associates Chat. If there are any guidelines that the Board (not those that one individual determines unilaterally) has developed relative to this Chat page... post them. I assume threatening the President, yelling fire and swearing in front of a judge isn't the list... or even relevant!

Larry Lafoe:
Don't assume that just because some of my cachets have naked mermaids in the artwork that I am open to discussions of a sexual nature, or that I have a bawdy side to me. I draw naked mermaids because the nature of mermaids is to wear no clothes....please don't read anything else into my character from my artwork. I enjoy a good spirited discussion, but I will not participate in those that are sexual in nature, or that are chauvinistic or demeaning toward women.

Now some things that can be said in private can not be said in public. Here's a ficitional example - say "She's a whore" to a friend in private - Your friend may agree or disagree, but no big deal. Now say "She's a whore" on the front page of the newspaper, and slander, libel, and defamation of character lawsuits will almost certainly follow. This is a public log, and as such there are greater limits about what can be said than in private. Obviously the USCS, MED Associates, Karl Zurn, and I would like to avoid any potential lawsuits or liabilities.

Now the comment in question could have been interpreted in several different ways. I interpreted the comment to be offensive. Since the comment was not relative to the USCS, and was clearly a topic of no redeeming value I decided the best course of action was to remove the comment altogether. This society is a community, and to a certain degree we have to be respectful of the community members. Unfortunately in a situation like this not everyone will agree with the decision, though I believe it was a correct decision with regards to the community as a whole.

Hi Larry,
I feel your posts about mermaids was more inappropriate for the uscs chat room
than anything else. Certainly you have freedom of speech, and we are very open
in the chat room as to what we allow. Feel free to say whatever you like on
your own web site. I do feel that questioning someones sexuality is not an
appropriate topic for the uscs chat room however. Even if you meant no harm
with the comment, and did not mean for the comment to be interpreted that way,
the comment may have been easily misinterpreted.

John, do you know where I can get access to the LOGS for 1962-63.

The attack submarine Jimmy Carter honors the 39th president of the United States.

President Carter is the only U.S. president to have qualified in submarines. He has distinguished himself by a lifetime of public service, and has long ties to the Navy and the submarine force. Carter graduated from the U.S. Naval Academy in 1946, served as a commissioned officer aboard submarines, and served as commander-in-chief from 1977 to 1981. Carter's statesmanship, philanthropy and sense of humanity earned him the Nobel Peace Prize in 2002.

Retired Adm. Stansfield Turner, a classmate of the president who served in the Carter administration as the director of the Central Intelligence Agency, will deliver the ceremony's principal address. Rosalynn Carter is the sponsor for the ship named for her husband, with daughter Amy serving as matron of honor. In a time-honored Navy tradition, Rosalynn Carter will give the first order to "man our ship and bring her to life!"

Jimmy Carter is the third and final submarine of the Seawolf class. As the most advanced submarine in the class, Jimmy Carter will have built-in flexibility and an array of new warfighting features that will enable it to prevail in any scenario, against any threat - from beneath Artic ice to shallow water. Differentiating Jimmy Carter from all other undersea vessels is its multimission platform (MMP), which includes a 100-foot hull extension to enhance payload capability. The MMP will enable Jimmy Carter to accommodate the advanced technology required to develop and test a new generation of weapons, sensors and undersea vehicles for naval special warfare, tactical surveillance and mine-warfare operations.

Capt. Robert D. Kelso, a native of Fayetteville, Tenn., will serve as Jimmy Carter’s first commanding officer, leading a crew of approximately 130 officers and sailors. Built by General Dynamics Electric Boat in Groton, Conn., the 12,130-ton Jimmy Carter is 453 feet in length, has a beam of 40 feet, and can operate at speeds exceeding 25 knots when submerged.

Newport News deployed to the North Atlantic in August 2004, conducting joint operations with allies. The crew then demonstrated the great flexibility of fast attack submarines, transiting to the Central Command Area of Responsibility in support of national security interests and the global war on terrorism.

Taze would have done covers.

http://www.uscs.org/join/tojoin.htm

Also got some cover back from USS COMFORT with cystal clear t-9 cancels and OSC on the back!!! Dated 2/10/05.
Is the comfort still in the Gulf area, or was she ever there?

http://www.postalhistorystore.com/

Bob Patkin's Covers for Collectors

http://www.spacephilatelics.com/suchap1-14.html

"Good Day Gentleman,

I inform you of our new site:

www.histoire-et-documents.fr

History of the French troops in China 1900-1931 [through the symbolic military system].

Thank you in advance for your visit."

I went to the site... everything appears to be in French. Sorry for the translation, it's been 20+ years since I took French.

Larry LaFoe check this site for sub covers
http://www.gdeb.com/store/

Welcome aboard Mark.

Submarine Commander Is Relieved From Post

Associated Press

TOKYO - The commander of an attack submarine that ran aground in the western Pacific Ocean last month has been relieved from his post after an investigation found that critical safety procedures were overlooked.

Cmdr. Kevin Mooney was relieved and reprimanded following disciplinary proceedings at the Yokosuka naval base just south of Tokyo, the U.S. Seventh Fleet said in a statement on its Web site Saturday. Officials weren't immediately available to comment.

The USS San Francisco was on its way to Australia when it struck an undersea mass of rock that was not on the ship's charts. Machinist Mate 2nd Class Joseph Allen Ashley, 24, of Akron, Ohio, died of injuries suffered during the crash, and 23 other members of the crew were injured. The submarine was conducting underwater operations about 350 miles south of Guam.

The investigation into the incident found that "several critical navigational and voyage planning procedures were not being implemented aboard San Francisco."

"By not ensuring these standard procedures were followed, Mooney hazarded his vessel," the statement said.

Cmdr. Andrew Hale, deputy commander of the Guam-based Submarine Squadron 15, has assumed the duties as commanding officer of the San Francisco, the statement said.

The San Francisco's outer hull was damaged in the incident, but the nuclear reactor was unaffected. The submarine made its way back to its home port in Guam under its own power.

Example: DSV Turtle has Dive date, Dive no. Lat. Long. Depth Pilot Co-Pilot Observer signatures.

Sorry I missed you on here.
All is well here on the homefront

USS Essex, the third ship of that name, a wooden screw steamer, was built by the United States and Donald Mackay at East Boston, Massachusetts; commissioned at the Boston Navy Yard on 3 October 1876, Commander W. S. Schley commanding; and reported to the North Atlantic Squadron.

During the following year Essex cruised to Liberia and along the west coast of Africa and in 1878-79 joined the South Atlantic Squadron.

HEY Jake hope all is well with you and your's

Great penmenship

What is the meaning of "RODEO #4"? Another question is where can I find a web link to all the zip codes used for our military bases? Any help will be appreciated. Norman

USS Yosemite covers from 1982 - 1985
NAS Barbers Point covers from 1986-1989
USS California covers from 1990 - August 10, 1992

Sorry to say that it is to early for what I'm looking for, need 4/15/65 on up till now.

Think you have it right as far as Navy owning a ship and you are right about it belonging to the Navy till stricken from the list, after this, most are sold for scrap or disposed off, like selling to other countries

Then, again, under "Partners" (p.13):
Working with USS SHANGRI-LA (CVA-38) during the current tour with the Asiatic Fleet is Destroyer Division 132, consisting of USS O'BRIEN (DD-725), WALKE (DD-723), HARRY E. HUBBARD (753), and E.G.SMALL (835).

It's funny looking at the list (and the Dave's point):Most of the Gemini Missions had 24 Recovery Ships... by the time they got to Apollo-Soyuz, there was only 1!

http://history.nasa.gov/ships.html

If a soldier / sailor served during WW II for 2-4 years... were / are they entitled to ANY benefits... medical? dental? pay? (aside from disability) Does a soldier / sailor receive any benefits (REAL benefits - NOT last rung and no hope at a VA Hospital type benefits) if they don't retire or receive disability?

If no... then why would our Congress feel they should give away our tax dollars to Merchant Marines?

By PAULINE JELINEK
Associated Press Writer

WASHINGTON (AP) -- The bullets and torpedoes they faced were just as real, but World War II merchant mariners say the government hasn't given them the same treatment as military personnel.

When the fighting ended, they got no homecoming parades, "no GI Bill, no nothing," said former mariner George Duffy of Seabrook, N.H.

Now there's proposed legislation to pay $1,000 monthly to the aged former civilian sailors, who hauled troops, tanks, bombers, fuel and other wartime goods to keep Allied forces supplied.

"My bill is a belated thank you," said Rep. Bob Filner, D-Calif.

Advertisement






Similar measures have failed, and supporters say time is running out because the mariners are now in their 70s and 80s. Some were on Capitol Hill on Thursday to lobby lawmakers to support this latest effort.

A bill to give mariners or their widows $1,000 a month died last year before being reintroduced last month. Estimates on who might benefit vary widely, with some saying 60,000 are surviving and others saying only 10,000 need the money and would apply for it.

The merchant marine of the 1940s was a crucial third leg of the massive U.S. war effort. The military fought on the battlefront; American factories and workers produced equipment and goods on the homefront; merchant mariners were a link between the two.

Thousands were lost or injured in rough seas, to Japanese kamikaze pilots who crashed into their decks, or to German submarines that sank ships in their convoys.

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But the sailors were technically civilians and had a traditional rivalry with military sailors, said Jack Green, a spokesman for the Naval Historical Center.

A Navy movement to put them under military control was scuttled during the war by shipping companies that held lucrative government contracts and by the men's union, which didn't want to lose control of the workers, historians say.

The rivalry and later general disinterest in the merchant marines' cause conspired to relegate them to second-class veterans.

Duffy recalled the disparate treatment he received compared with a friend in the Coast Guard.

Captured by the Germans at 20 and delivered to the Japanese, Duffy spent 37 months - exactly 1,119 days, he said - in Pacific prisoner of war camps. He endured scarce food and medicine and his prisoner work detail was forced to build the Japanese a railroad across Sumatra.

"I came home after this experience and had no benefits, no (paid college tuition under the) GI Bill, no nothing," Duffy said.

His friend got full military benefits after spending the entire war as a clerk in a New York office of the Coast Guard.

A little like today's civilian contractors working with the military in war zones, the 1940s seamen got higher pay than military counterparts - though not that much higher. They say the difference was negated once they calculated that they were paid only for time at sea - not shore time like the military - and they didn't get the insurance, health care, lower mortgage rates, preferred employment status and educational opportunities that returning armed forces got.

Frank Medeiros said he was paid $3,000 in 1943 for what had been billed as a four-month convoy to supply allied Russian troops at Murmansk. The round-trip run ended up taking 13 months, and two dozen of its three dozen merchant ships were lost to attacks along the way.

Now an 83-year-old part-time dispatcher for the union Masters, Mates and Pilots in San Francisco, he says grateful Russians later invited former mariners to visit, awarding them medals.

"And I got a letter from former Soviet leader Mikhail Gorbachev," said Medeiros. "They called us patriots."

Of his own government, he says: "They shouldn't have done what they did to us."

A benefits bill was killed in the 1940s - "torpedoed by powerful military lobbyists who influenced congressmen and senators," said author Brian Herbert, who drew from government documents, diaries and survivor interviews to write his 2004 book, "The Forgotten Heroes: The Heroic Story of the United States Merchant Marine."

The mariners got veteran status - and therefore some limited benefits - when they sued the military in 1988, by which time some postwar programs had expired.

In 2000, Canada approved $34 million for one-time payments of up to $16,400 to its World War II merchant seaman, who also belatedly got veteran status.

Been a long time, but my understanding of Commissioning Date is the first day of active service(duty)
When they go to reserve Fleet (mothball) they are decommissioned and that date is last day in service, but they can be recommissioned back into service at a later date, such as was the case with many ships after WWII that were caled up and recommissioned for the Korean War

Gave us more time to think about Naval Covers.

Been compiling more early Navy Day data. Soon I should have 100 + pages from the files from an early Navy League President. These should shed some light on the first few years of celebrations. I would sure like scans of any covers on 27 Oct in the 1920s. I have a few that I expect to put in a LOG article.

Dick Z is a VALLEY FORGE former crew member

Could you use that Jimmy Carter Logo jpg.???

Think you should think about joining the USCS, sure would like to get you in to more Naval cover collecting

Was referring to the Forrestal Web Site
http://www.forrestal.org/

this is a list of her deployments
http://forrestal.org/fidfacts/page10.htm

http://forrestal.org/fidfacts/

http://navysite.de/ssn/images/ssn23coa.jpg

Should have said that was official Logo not crest.

Here is the site that shows the Jimmy C, Crest
http://navysite.de/ssn/ssn23.htm

lafoe@comcast.net

The covers that I got back for the USS TEXAS Launch from Newport News were a total mess!!Every cover went in the circular file.

From the Navy News Service

1814 - British bombardment of Fort McHenry inspires the Star Spangled Banner.
1847 - Marine Brigade leads U.S. forces that storm Chapultepec Castle near Mexico City, inspiring one line of the Marine Hymn.
1906 - Sailors and Marines from USS Denver land in Havana at the request of the Cuban government to preserve order during a revolution.
1939 - Navy suspends transfers to the Fleet Reserve after 20 years of service and retains men on active duty.
1985 - Commander Middle East Force orders escort of Military Sealift Ships in Persian Gulf because of Iranian seizure of merchant vessels.

For more information about naval history, visit the Naval Historical Center Web site at www.history.navy.mil.

From Military Sealift Command Public Affairs

WASHINGTON (NNS) -- The U.S. Navy's Military Sealift Command (MSC) awarded a $26.6 million contract with options to Edison Chouest Offshore, based in Galliano, La., for the time charter of one Offshore Petroleum Discharge System, or OPDS, in January.

The OPDS consists of two ships - a support ship and a tender - that work together to pump fuel for U.S. military forces from a commercial oil tanker moored at sea to a temporary fuel storage area ashore.

To begin the process, the 348-foot support ship and 165-foot tender work together to install up to eight miles of eight-inch-diameter flexible pipe. Next, the support ship positions the tanker for safe offload operations. While the tender holds the tanker in place, the tanker’s lines connect to the flexible pipe through the support ship. Booster pumps aboard the support ship increase the pressure of fuel, pushing the fuel to shore.

The OPDS is especially valuable in areas where fuel piers are unavailable, and tankers are unable to tie up ashore to offload fuel. The OPDS can pump up to 1.7 million gallons of fuel per day.

Government-owned OPDSs have been deployed since the mid-1980s, but this is the first time that the system has been leased from a private company.

"You never know where you are going to have to operate," said Griff Hume, prepositioning ship project officer. "Offshore Petroleum Discharge Systems enable us to provide fuel, the lifeblood of any military mission or exercise, wherever and whenever it is needed."

The contract includes a time charter for one OPDS for a total of $125.6 million if all option periods are exercised. The Navy has the opportunity to add a second OPDS with option periods, which could raise the contract total to $241 million.

The OPDS will be maintained in the Guam/Saipan area, ready to be deployed worldwide. The first system will be delivered to MSC in October 2006.

MSC ships replenish Navy ships at sea, chart ocean bottoms, conduct undersea surveillance, preposition combat cargo at sea and move 95 percent of military equipment and supplies used by deployed U.S. forces.

Unaddressed Nuclear Submarine Commissioning covers... c'mon, I know someone has them for sale?

lafoe@comcast.net

Also got some from USS LINCOLN dated 1/1/05 with notation on the back "Humanitarian Relief Sumatra Indonesia"

Submarine covers with sub fancy/pictorial cancels. (Port Everglades, Commissioning, etc.)

SIGNED Arctic / North Pole Submarine covers.

In addition to buying, I have 8 different CO signed sub covers available for trade.

Thanks!

lafoe@comcast.net

Tsunami Relief ships are listed in the Feb. LOG on page 16. The operations are called "Operation United Assistance".

Capt. Rommel: Thanks for the package. Sending $75 for the 15 covers.

Built by the Bethlehem Steel Co., Quincy, Mass. Laid down as Ticonderoga 26 Jan 1943; renamed Hancock 1 May 1943; launched 24 Jan 1944 and commissioned 15 Apr 1944. Decommissioned to reserve 9 May 1947.

Reconstructed to SCB-27C design by the Puget Sound Naval Shipyard, Bremerton, Wash. Work began on 15 Dec 1951; redesignated as an "attack carrier" (CVA-19) on 1 Oct 1952 and recommissioned on 15 Feb 1954. Decommissioned again 13 Apr 1956 she received further modernization (project SCB-125) at the San Francisco Naval Shipyard, San Francisco, Cal., and was back in service on 15 Nov 1956.

Reclassified as a "Multi-Purpose Aircraft Carrier" (CV-19) on 30 June 1975. Decommissioned for the last time on 30 Jan 1976 and struck from the Navy list the following day, she was sold for scrap by the Defense Reutilization and Marketing Service (DRMS) on 1 Sep 1976.

http://www.usshancockassociation.org/hancock-history.html

VIETNAM DEPLOYMENT AS CVA-19
12 (tied with Oriskany CVA-34 for most deployments) Last Western Pacific deployment 18 March 1975 - 20 October 1975 Participated in Operation "Eagle Pull" evacuation of Phnom Penh, Cambodia and Operation "Frequent Wind" evacuation of Saigon, South Vietnam in April 1975 One of last Essex class carriers to operate in the attack role.

(1) It makes me feel SOOOOO GOOD that eBay's Bill Cobb is looking out for MY interests. Sarcastic grin.

(2) Saw your USCS ad in an eBay item. Applause!

Bruce

"I don't know where you got your information about the USS Hancock, but she was never designated a CVS or ASW carrier. She was always either a CV or a CVA carrier. I proudly served aboard her from June 1968 to Sept 1971 and all the history that I have read about her, no where does it mention her ever being designated a CVS carrier. Go to the USN 20th Century database and check it out. Lawrence."

Can anyone explain this? Was HANCOCK classified CVS but still used as a CVA?

Thanks.

Bruce

... We also want to do something for the rest of our sellers. I'm happy to announce that effective at midnight tonight, eBay.com and eBay.ca will reduce minimum insertion fees for Auction-Style listings, Fixed Price, Motors Non-Vehicle and B&I non-Capital Equipment Categories from 30 cents to 25 cents (CA$0.35 to CA$0.30). eBay Germany has always used this pricing, and users there have benefited from higher conversion rates on items with lower starting bids.

Sincerely,

Bill Cobb
President
eBay North America

There is a good book written by a S2c of mine who was in the lower handling room. Trapped at Pearl by Young. In the first edition he called my junior officer Ens Spitler a coward. Spitler sued the Institute and Young and won a judgement. Later editions do not mention Spitler. He was not very kind to me. There are inaccuracies, for instance he says I had a 45 during the attack. This is not true; there is no way I could have gotten my 45 which was locked in my safe. All his conversations are hearsay; he was cut out with 31 others the next day. You can get the book from your library or library loan or order from Institute.

My division officer was Ltjg Forrest Simoneau. He went to sub school and I got the Fourth Division (turret 4). In the middle of the war whenI was exec of Gridley DD380 my ship was in Pearl with USS Argonaut, his ship. He had me for lunch. He said "Herb I can get you on the ship; you don't have to go to sub school anymore". Fortunately I declined; the Argonaut never came back from that next patrol. (Her pre-war cancel is a beauty).
When my WWII command, USS Wilkes DD441 had a reunion in Branson Mo we went to a war museum which claimed to have the name of every person killed in the war on their wall. Sure enough, Forrest Simoneu was on the wall. He had married a Norwegian girl he met on midshipman cruise and his widow went back to Norway.

Again, thank you for the photo which is now on my wall.
Herb Rommel

There is a good book written by a S2c of mine who was in the lower handling room. Trapped at Pearl by Young. In the first edition he called my junior officer Ens Spitler a coward. Spitler sued the Institute and Young and won a judgement. Later editions do not mention Spitler. He was not very kind to me. There are inaccuracies, for instance he says I had a 45 during the attack. This is not true; there is no way I could have gotten my 45 which was locked in my safe. All his conversations are hearsay; he was cut out with 31 others the next day. You can get the book from your library or library loan or order from Institute.

My division officer was Ltjg Forrest Simoneau. He went to sub school and I got the Fourth Division (turret 4). In the middle of the war whenI was exec of Gridley DD380 my ship was in Pearl with USS Argonaut, his ship. He had me for lunch. He said "Herb I can get you on the ship; you don't have to go to sub school anymore". Fortunately I declined; the Argonaut never came back from that next patrol. (Her pre-war cancel is a beauty).
When my WWII command, USS Wilkes DD441 had a reunion in Branson Mo we went to a war museum which claimed to have the name of every person killed in the war on their wall. Sure enough, Forrest Simoneu was on the wall. He had married a Norwegian girl he met on midshipman cruise and his widow went back to Norway.

Again, thank you for the photo which is now on my wall.
Herb Rommel

Cover's rec'd from USS RUSHMORE canceled Jan 11, 2005. The cachet shows the 4 presidents and a starboard silhouette of the ship. It is also from the tsunami relief expedition.

A German collector ordered 105 covers of the OREGON Chapter covers I have for sale. Some ships are ebing deleted from the list. Do not delay in placing your order.

Charles, I mailed applications to you today.

Rich, I'll mail a box of applications to you next week when I can get away from work to go to the Post Office.

She sent payment to PayPal under lafoe@paypal.com... I guess she assumes anyone with a paypal account has to have a @paypal.com e-mail address? Then she went on a tangent of how they are 6 hours earlier in Italy and told me it was 1:05 a.m. here when it was 1:05 p.m.? Then she got made at me and told me it was my fault she sent the money to the wrong PayPal account and that I couldn't tell time or understand english... she asked me if I was from Japan or Australia - if so, she wanted to know why my listing said USA.

It's deals that these that created the cliche: 1 aw sheet erases 100 attaboys!

Thanks for your input about the NPC Group and sorry to hear you received no rplies to your inquiries.

If you don't mind I'll take a shot at it, as several of htose who are active in that group were at FPO 214 the same years that I was there and we worked toogether on incoming and out going mail. It was one of those PCs that hung the handle of "Jake the Snake" on me

Recently, we announced fee changes taking effect on February 18th and affecting certain optional listing upgrades on eBay.com, the subscription fee for a Basic eBay Store, and Final Value Fees on Store Inventory Format listings. Based on Community input, we understand our original communication was a bit unclear.

To clarify, no changes are being made to the Final Value Fees on Auction-style, Auction with Buy It Now option, and Fixed Priced listings (with the exception of certain Business & Industrial capital equipment categories). Final Value Fee changes apply only to Store Inventory Format listings, a listing format only available to Store sellers and with durations of 30, 60, 90, and 120 days and Good 'Til Cancelled.

The Final Value Fees for Auction-style listings, Auction with Buy It Now option, and Fixed Price listings have remained unchanged since 2002.

You can view the full details of the pricing announcement here.

Regards,

eBay

Programs
(4) USS Maryland commissioning program
(1) USS Seahorse launch program
(1) USS Bancroft launch program

General Dynamics 8x10 Photos
(7) USS Greenling launching at Groton
(4) USS Skipjack underway
(3) USS Seawolf underway
(4) USS Triton underway
(2) USS George Washington underway
(4) USS Tullibee underway
(6) USS Skate breaking ice

Larger General Dynamics Photos
(3) USS Georgia
(2) USS Tecumseh
(2) USS Ohio
(2) USS New York City
(1) USS Nevada
(4) USS Maine
(4) USS Columbia
(1) USS Philadelphia
(1) USS Hartford
(2) Nuclear Subs Delivered 1981
(2) USS Dallas
(1) USS Providence
(3) USS Kentucky
(3) USS Florida
(4) USS Helena
(1) USS Santa Fe
(5) Trident Ship Characteristics
(3) USS Passadena
(1) USS Minneapolis
(2) USS Indianapolis
(1) USS Phoenix
(1) Leading the way at Electric Boat
(1) Watercolor counter display of three subs

WESTERN MAID

http://www.history.navy.mil/photos/sh-civil/civsh-w/wn-maid.htm

http://www.usmm.org/ships.html

I was trying so hard to be the first in the Navy to get my Cutlass, Air and Dolphin pins... Joined in '81, got my Cutlasses in '84, my Air Warfare in '87 and had applied to the Submarine Force but made - non-nuke - ETC(AW/SW) in '90... they accepted my app to subs around the same time, but I had to choose between subs and making Chief. At the same time, my father had his third heart-attack and I decided to get out of the Navy and return home. I wish I had gotten my Dolphins now… my father has been RV'ing year round now since '92! The grass is always greener on the other side of the guard rail!

PCC Grover McLaughlin will be the new Editor/Publisher for the NPCA
Newsletter and Mail Directory. If you see something wrong in this Directory or know of another Postal Clerk that's not listed, please contact Mac at below:

PCC Grover McLaughlin
13079 Feather Ridge Drive
San Antonio, TX 78233
Ph: 210-654-8556
g.mclaughlin@sbcglobal.net

http://www.npcreunion.dreamhost.com/

It says: Past AND Present Navy and Marine Corps Postal Clerks...

I've 2 circuits to get out. Good night, gentlemen.

Are you aware that retired Navy PC have an on line web site?

Might this be a place to look for new members?

(Freighter: t. 12,185; l. 423'9"; b. 54'0"; dph. 29'9"; dr. 24' ½ " (mean); s. 10.5 k.; cpl. 70)

Western Plains—a single-screw, steel-hulled cargo vessel constructed in 1918 under a United States Shipping Board contract at Portland, Oreg., by the Columbia River Shipbuilding Corp.—was taken over by the Navy for service with the Naval Overseas Transportation Service (NOTS); designated Id. No. 3741; and commissioned on 17 October 1918, Lt. Comdr. David C. Austin, USNRF, in command.

Western Plains took on board 7,296 tons of flour, got underway for the east coast on 25 October, transited the Panama Canal, and reached New York exactly one month later. After she unloaded her consignment of flour at New York, she pressed on for Gibraltar where she took on cargo for shipment to Turkey and arrived at Constantinople on 25 January 1919. Western Plains delivered her goods; loaded 2,500 tons of Turkish tobacco; sailed for the United States on 24 February; touched at the Azores; and arrived at Philadelphia on 10 April. Western Plains was decommissioned there on 30 April 1919 and returned to the Shipping Board on the same day. She remained in the custody of that agency until abandoned in 1933

http://www.history.navy.mil/photos/sh-usn/usnsh-c/ao52.htm

http://www.antiquesofthesea.com/usscacapon.html