February 2004 Cover |
by Steve Shay |
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USS UTAH |
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Wait a minute, that's not a cover! No, this isn't a cover. This is a page from the USS Utah Registered mail register. The Utah postal clerk had to keep a record of all registered mail. This register shows 2 pieces of mail. It is stamped with the USS Utah Type 9v postal marking, dated May 6, 1929. (Upper right corner.) The battleship was at the Boston Navy Yard as the postal clerk at the Boston Navy Yard Station also stamped the register with their mark on May 6. (Lower right corner.) This mark notes that the mail was turned over from the Utah to the Navy Yard Station. (Do you have the two pieces of mail mailed that day?) Both the postal clerk on the Utah and the Navy Yard Station also signed the register as part of the hand off of the mail. This form is certainly historic in nature and represents the function the Type 9 Registration markings were designed for. The other use would be marking the reverse side of envelopes being mailed via registered mail. Type 9 markings were not meant for canceling stamps though clerks sometimes used them in this manner for collectors. This postal mark is given a rating of R-1 (25-100 recorded copies) in the Catalog of US Naval Postmarks. The Utah was commissioned in 1911. In 1931 Utah was selected for conversion to a mobile target. She was fitted out with radio controls that would allow the ship to be controlled remotely, with throttle and rudder control. In operation, the remotely controlled ship would provide a realistic moving target. In 1935 she served as a mobile fleet machine gun school while continuing as a mobile target. By 1940 she was also serving as a gun training ship with 5 inch, 1.1 inch and 50 caliber weapons. On December 7, 1941, Utah was moored off Ford Island. A torpedo hit caused flooding and the ship rolled over. Some survivors were later rescued after cutting torches were used to cut into the bottom of the ship. The Utah remains in place today, a rusting, partially submerged hulk. |
