Post by JeffS on May 2, 2022 17:08:32 GMT
USS Hornet CV-8 Aircraft Carrier
Background
The USS Hornet, the seventh US Navy ship of that name, was commissioned in October 1941 at Newport News, Virginia. In March, 1942, she was ordered to the Pacific and a month later she took part in the Doolittle raid on Japan. On October 26 she was attacked by Japanese aircraft while her carrier aircraft were returning from a mission. She was sunk by torpedoes from Japanese submarines the next day.
Two Covers
The subject of this article is the pair of covers shown. Both are postmarked with the U.S. NAVY 3-bar duplex postmark dated February 9 and 17, 1942. The return address of a Robert Lee Carpenter, Div M, U.S.S. Hornet, Postmaster, New York show this was prior to embarking for the Pacific and eventual participation in the Doolittle raid.
Context
On February 2, trials were held at Norfolk to determine if B-25 bombers could be successfully launched from the flattop. To the amazement of many, the test was successful, and 24 bombers were requisitioned and modified for such a mission. Thusly, these two covers were mailed a week and more following these trials.
Let’s take a look at the return address.
The sender, Mr. Carpenter was apparently a civilian (no rank or rating given) with unknown ties to the Hornet.
The return address does not include the Hornet’s number, CV8.
At the time of this mailing, the Hornet had a ship postmark which included the ship name and number.
“Div M” (sometimes called M Division) included in the return address indicates a crew of Machinist’s Mates responsible for two areas: Propulsion Mechanics and Auxiliary Mechanics.
Conclusion
I suggest that Mr. Carpenter was an employee of a company which provided unknown mechanical equipment for the ship. Perhaps as an instructor technician to train navy crew, or to supervise maintenance on a new item of equipment. The Hornet was a new ship after all.
I suspect that the 3-bar duplex postmark is that of the Norfolk ship yard where Mr. Carpenter resided while off duty. Thus this is not a true ship cover but a cover of interest none the less.
Regrettably the original letter contents are not included with the covers.
Background
The USS Hornet, the seventh US Navy ship of that name, was commissioned in October 1941 at Newport News, Virginia. In March, 1942, she was ordered to the Pacific and a month later she took part in the Doolittle raid on Japan. On October 26 she was attacked by Japanese aircraft while her carrier aircraft were returning from a mission. She was sunk by torpedoes from Japanese submarines the next day.
Two Covers
The subject of this article is the pair of covers shown. Both are postmarked with the U.S. NAVY 3-bar duplex postmark dated February 9 and 17, 1942. The return address of a Robert Lee Carpenter, Div M, U.S.S. Hornet, Postmaster, New York show this was prior to embarking for the Pacific and eventual participation in the Doolittle raid.
Context
On February 2, trials were held at Norfolk to determine if B-25 bombers could be successfully launched from the flattop. To the amazement of many, the test was successful, and 24 bombers were requisitioned and modified for such a mission. Thusly, these two covers were mailed a week and more following these trials.
Let’s take a look at the return address.
The sender, Mr. Carpenter was apparently a civilian (no rank or rating given) with unknown ties to the Hornet.
The return address does not include the Hornet’s number, CV8.
At the time of this mailing, the Hornet had a ship postmark which included the ship name and number.
“Div M” (sometimes called M Division) included in the return address indicates a crew of Machinist’s Mates responsible for two areas: Propulsion Mechanics and Auxiliary Mechanics.
Conclusion
I suggest that Mr. Carpenter was an employee of a company which provided unknown mechanical equipment for the ship. Perhaps as an instructor technician to train navy crew, or to supervise maintenance on a new item of equipment. The Hornet was a new ship after all.
I suspect that the 3-bar duplex postmark is that of the Norfolk ship yard where Mr. Carpenter resided while off duty. Thus this is not a true ship cover but a cover of interest none the less.
Regrettably the original letter contents are not included with the covers.
