1897 International Postcard to New York

I have a really nice domestic postcard H&G5a used internationally. It was mailed Dec 23rd in Margate and arrived in New York 1-1-88. Trying to write up for a show and tell at my local stamp club as this is a bit unusual usage. I have two questions I could use some help on to finish the write up.

1) Does anyone have access to one of those steam ship books to try and find out what boat this may have been used? 
2) Does anyone know what the "F" or "E" means in the receiving postmark

Thanks in advance
Martin