Thanks to gCaptain for alerting us of this release from the United States Postal Service July 28, 2011-
The Postal Service salutes the U.S. Merchant Marine by issuing 60 million Forever stamps to set sail through the nation's mail stream starting today.
"The new four-stamp pane that we are issuing today features vessels that have formed an important part of our country's maritime history- clipper ships, auxiliary steamships, Liberty ships and container shps," said Jim Cochrane, vice president, Product Information. "As we dedicate these stamps, we pay homage not only to the ships, but also to the valor of the thousands of dedicated members of the U.S. Merchant Marine who served their country and served it honorably."
Joining Cochrane in dedicating the stamps at the U.S. Merchant Marine Academy were
David T. Matsuda, administrator,
U.S. Maritime Administration,
Rear Admiral Philip H. Greene, Jr., superintendent, U.S. Merchant Marine Academy; and
Captain Eric York Wallischeck, chief of staff, U.S. Merchant Marine Academy.
"The men and women who built and sailed the ships depicted in these four postal stamps have buoyed our prosperity, liberty, and way of life," said Matsuda. "Their sacrifice is worthy of remembrance, as they continue to be an integral part of American's economy and national security."
Drawing upon contemporary lithographs of the 19th century ships and photographs of the 20th century ships, illustrator
Dennis Lyall of Norwalk, Conn., created these four stamp designs under the art direction of
Carl T. Herrman of North Las Vega, Nev. Text on the back of the stamp pane describes the types of vessels.
U.S. Merchant Marine
Since the founding of the republic, the United States has looked to the maritime industry for much of its growth and security. The U.S. Postal Service honors the U.S. Merchant Marine- the modern name for the maritime fleet- with four stamps featuring vessels that have played an important role in our nation's history.
The Clipper Ship stamp is based on an undated
Frank Vining Smith lithography of the famous clipper
Sovereign of the Seas, which launched in 1852. Clipper Ships, ushered in by the California Gold Rush of 1849 and noted for their streamlined shape and their majestic cloud of square-rigged sails, set numerous speed records for their time.
The Auxiliary Steamship stamp is based on contemporary lithographs of ships of the
Collins Line, which provided service between New York and Liverpool in the 1850s. Auxiliary steamships- steam-powered ships with back-up sailing rigs- were the ocean liners of their day, competing in the 1850s with clipper and other sailing ships for trans-Atlantic mail and passenger service.
The Liberty Ship stamp is based on a photograph of an unidentified Liberty ship in the files of the
Westport, Conn., Public Library. During World War II, the United States built more than 2,700 Liberty ships- plain but sturdy cargo vessels that sustained the Allied forces with a steady supply of food and war material.
The Container Ship stamp is based on an undated photograph of the
R.J. Pfeiffer, a modern container ship launched in 1992 and operated by
Matson Navigation Company. Container ships, pioneered in the 1950s, are key to today's global economy, carrying manufactured goods worldwide across the oceans and exemplifying the modern merchant marine.
Amver
Amver is proud of Matson Navigation and the R.J. Pfeiffer which
enrolled in the Amver system in 1992.
Photo credit: U.S. Postal Service
Hurricane Irene is churning up the east coast of the United States. What does that mean for you? If you're an Amver participant you'll want to check U.S. port conditions. You can do that through the United States Coast Guard Homeport site. Just use the drop down menu to chose the port you want to know more about and click enter. Our link will take you to the Port of New York.
While Washington, DC and New York are suffering earthquakes and Hurricane Irene is churning in the Atlantic, Amver vessels are prepared to assist where necessary (at sea of course, not in earthquake damaged areas!). Help us welcome the latest members of the Amver safety network.
Safety at Sea International magazine announced the winders of the 5th Annual Safety at Sea International Awards at a dinner honoring the
winners and nominees aboard HMS Belfast on the River Thames in London
on 23 June.
Who joined Amver this week? Let's take a quick look at the latest vessels that enrolled. You know you can participate in Amver through the commercial vessel tracking company you may already send reports? That's right, if you currently subscribe to services from Pole Star, Transas, or Marine Track. Just ask your customer service representative how to have your reports automatically sent to Amver. Now, please help us welcome our new participants.
U.S. Consul General Scott Kilner recognized 16 Turkish companies for their outstanding participation in the Amver program at an awards ceremony at the U.S. Consul General's residence in Istanbul on Tuesday, July 26, 2011.
Thanks to gCaptain for alerting us of this release from the United States Postal Service July 28, 2011-
Who's who in shipping? We may not be experts in the who's who of shipping. We leave that to the list makers at Lloyd's List or Tradewinds. At Amver we prefer to focus on who has enrolled in our life saving system. Help us welcome the latest members of our safety network.
It's time to welcome the latest members of the Amver team. This team ensures lives get saved. Thank you for willing to help us save lives. Who are these heroes? What vessels enrolled in Amver in the past week? Take a look.
