VESTAL AR 4 - Revision history

GregCiesielski: Updated the page

2021-11-23T20:11:30Z

Updated the page

Show changes

JonBurdett: added 1 mark replaced 6

2018-12-06T22:38:45Z

added 1 mark replaced 6

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GregCiesielski: added 1 cover

2017-06-21T03:04:23Z

added 1 cover

@@ Line 448: / Line 448: @@
 </td></tr></table>
 As AR-4. Blue Ink.
 <!-- === End of Postmark Entry === -->
 <!-- ============= -->

GregCiesielski: Added 1 postmark/cover

2015-12-31T18:14:49Z

Added 1 postmark/cover

@@ Line 118: / Line 118: @@
 </td></tr></table>
 As Fleet Repair Ship No. 4. Picture postcard of "Old Point Comfort VA".
 <!-- === End of Postmark Entry === -->
 <!-- ============= -->

GregCiesielski: Added 1 postmark/cover

2015-12-31T18:08:54Z

Added 1 postmark/cover

@@ Line 74: / Line 74: @@
 <th align="center" width="120">Thumbnail Link<br/>To<br/>Cover Image</th>
 </tr></table>
 <!-- ============= -->
 <!--       2z      -->

GregCiesielski: Added 1 cover

2015-12-31T17:59:21Z

Added 1 cover

@@ Line 509: / Line 509: @@
 As AR-4. Cachet is thermographed. The last digit of the date is illegible. 1937 is a best guess based on the known date range for this postmark.
 <!-- === End of Ship Postmark Entry === -->
 <p>&nbsp;</p>

GregCiesielski: Added 7 postmarks/covers

2015-12-31T17:43:43Z

Added 7 postmarks/covers

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JonBurdett: added 1 cover

2010-08-13T19:24:08Z

added 1 cover

New page

<h3>Ship Name and Designation History</h3>
This section lists the names and designations that the ship had during its lifetime.
The list is in chronological order.
<ol><br/>
Vestal Class Collier/Repair Ship<br/>
Ordered April 17 1904 as ERIE<br/>
Renamed October 1905<br/>
Keel Laid March 25 1907 - Launched May 19 1908<br/><br/>
<li>'''USS VESTAL Collier No. 1'''<br/>
In Service October 4 1909 - Out of Service October 25 1912<br/><br/>
<li>'''USS VESTAL Fleet Repair Ship No. 4'''<br/>
Commissioned September 3 1913<br/><br/>
<li>'''USS VESTAL AR-4'''<br/>
Designated (AR) July 17 1920<br/>
Decommissioned August 14 1946<br/><br/>
Struck from Naval Register September 25 1946<br/>
Sold July 28 1950 to the Boston Metals Co. Baltimore, Md. for scrap
</ol>
<p> </p>

<h3>Naval Covers</h3>
This section lists active links to the pages displaying covers associated with the
ship. There should be a separate set of pages for each incarnation of the ship (ie,
for each entry in the "Ship Name and Designation History" section). Covers should
be presented in chronological order (or as best as can be determined).

Since a ship may have many covers, they may be split among many pages so it doesn't
take forever for the pages to load. Each page link should be accompanied by a date
range for covers on that page.
<ol>
<li>[[USS Vestal AR-4_Covers_Page_1 | Vestal Covers Page 1]]    (1913-44)</li>
</ol>
<p> </p>

<h3>Postmarks</h3>
This section lists examples of the postmarks used by the ship. There should be a
separate set of postmarks for each incarnation of the ship (ie, for each entry
in the "Ship Name and Designation History" section). Within each set, the postmarks
should be listed in order of their classification type. If more than one postmark
has the same classification, then they should be further sorted by date of earliest
known usage.

A postmark should not be included unless accompanied by a close-up image and/or an
image of a cover showing that postmark. Date ranges MUST be based ONLY ON COVERS IN
THE MUSEUM and are expected to change as more covers are added.
<br/> <br/>
>>> If you have a better example for any of the postmarks, please feel free to replace the
existing example.



<br/> <br/><table width="95%" border="0" cellpadding="5" cellspacing="0">
<tr><th align="center" valign="center" width="140">
Postmark Type<br/>---<br/>Killer Bar Text
</th><th align="center" valign="center" width="100">
Date From<br/>to<br/>Date To</th>
<th align="center" width="320">Thumbnail Link To<br/>Postmark Image</th>
<th align="center" width="120">Thumbnail Link To<br/>Cover Image</th>
</tr></table>



<br/> <br/><table width="95%" border="1" cellpadding="5" cellspacing="0">
<tr><td align="center" valign="center" width="140">
Locy Type<br/>2z
</td><td align="center" valign="center" width="100">
1944-04-21
</td><td align="center" width="320">
[[Image:JonBurdett vestal ar4 19440421 pm.jpg|thumb|center|300px]]
</td><td align="center" width="120">
[[Image:JonBurdett vestal ar4 19440421.jpg|thumb|center|100px]]
</td></tr></table>
As AR-4<br/>
Censored wartime (WWII) use




<br/> <br/><table width="95%" border="1" cellpadding="5" cellspacing="0">
<tr><td align="center" valign="center" width="140">
Locy Type<br/>3 (A)<br/><br/>"HAMPTON /<br/>ROADS VA"<br/><br/>USCS Catalog<br/>Illustration<br/>V-8
</td><td align="center" valign="center" width="100">
1913-11-10
</td><td align="center" width="320">
[[Image:GregCiesielski_Vestal_AR4_19131110_1_Postmark.jpg|thumb|center|300px]]
</td><td align="center" width="120">
[[Image:GregCiesielski_Vestal_AR4_19131110_1_Back.jpg|thumb|center|100px]]
</td></tr></table>
As Fleet Repair Ship No. 4<br/>
Picture postcard of "Old Point Comfort VA".




<br/> <br/><table width="95%" border="1" cellpadding="5" cellspacing="0">
<tr><td align="center" valign="center" width="140">
Locy Type<br/>3 (A)<br/><br/>"GUANTANAMO /<br/>BAY"<br/><br/>USCS Catalog<br/>Illustration<br/>V-8
</td><td align="center" valign="center" width="100">
1914-02-18
</td><td align="center" width="320">
[[Image:JonBurdett vestal ar4 19140218 pm.jpg|thumb|center|300px]]
</td><td align="center" width="120">
[[Image:JonBurdett vestal ar4 19140218.jpg|thumb|center|100px]]
</td></tr></table>
As Fleet Repair Ship No. 4<br/>Postcard use




<br/> <br/><table width="95%" border="1" cellpadding="5" cellspacing="0">
<tr><td align="center" valign="center" width="140">
Locy Type<br/>3 (AC)<br/><br/>"AT /<br/>SEA"<br/><br/>USCS Catalog<br/>Illustration<br/>V-8b
</td><td align="center" valign="center" width="100">
1917-02-28
</td><td align="center" width="320">
[[Image:JonBurdett vestal ar4 19170228 pm.jpg|thumb|center|300px]]
</td><td align="center" width="120">
[[Image:JonBurdett vestal ar4 19170228.jpg|thumb|center|100px]]
</td></tr></table>
As Fleet Repair Ship No. 4<br/>postcard use




<br/> <br/><table width="95%" border="1" cellpadding="5" cellspacing="0">
<tr><td align="center" valign="center" width="140">
Locy Type<br/>3 (AC)<br/><br/>" /<br/>CALIFORNIA"
</td><td align="center" valign="center" width="100">
1920-02-18
</td><td align="center" width="320">
[[Image:JonBurdett vestal ar4 19200218 pm.jpg|thumb|center|300px]]
</td><td align="center" width="120">
[[Image:JonBurdett vestal ar4 19200218.jpg|thumb|center|100px]]
</td></tr></table>
As Fleet Repair Ship No. 4




<br/> <br/><table width="95%" border="1" cellpadding="5" cellspacing="0">
<tr><td align="center" valign="center" width="140">
Locy Type<br/>3b (B-XOO)
</td><td align="center" valign="center" width="100">
1916-02-10
</td><td align="center" width="320">
[[Image:JonBurdett vestal ar4 19160210 pm.jpg|thumb|center|300px]]
</td><td align="center" width="120">
[[Image:JonBurdett vestal ar4 19160210.jpg|thumb|center|100px]]
</td></tr></table>
As Fleet Repair Ship No. 4




<br/> <br/><table width="95%" border="1" cellpadding="5" cellspacing="0">
<tr><td align="center" valign="center" width="140">
Locy Type<br/>3b (A-OOX)<br/><br/>"VERA CRUZ /<br/>MEXICO"
</td><td align="center" valign="center" width="100">
1914
</td><td align="center" width="320">
[[Image:JonBurdett vestal ar4 1914 pm.jpg|thumb|center|300px]]
</td><td align="center" width="120">
[[Image:JonBurdett vestal ar4 1914.jpg|thumb|center|100px]]
</td></tr></table>
As Fleet Repair Ship No. 4




<br/> <br/><table width="95%" border="1" cellpadding="5" cellspacing="0">
<tr><td align="center" valign="center" width="140">
Locy Type<br/>3r (AC) <br/><br/>"GUANTANAMO /<br/>BAY CUBA"
</td><td align="center" valign="center" width="100">
1915-02-05
</td><td align="center" width="320">
[[Image:JonBurdett vestal ar4 19150205 pm.jpg|thumb|center|300px]]
</td><td align="center" width="120">
[[Image:JonBurdett vestal ar4 19150205.jpg|thumb|center|100px]]
</td></tr></table>
As Fleet Repair Ship No. 4




<br/> <br/><table width="95%" border="1" cellpadding="5" cellspacing="0">
<tr><td align="center" valign="center" width="140">
Locy Type<br/>3r (A) <br/><br/>"BLOCK I. /<br/>R"
</td><td align="center" valign="center" width="100">
1926-06-04
</td><td align="center" width="320">
[[Image:JonBurdett vestal ar4 19260604 pm.jpg|thumb|center|300px]]
</td><td align="center" width="120">
[[Image:JonBurdett vestal ar4 19260604.jpg|thumb|center|100px]]
</td></tr></table>
As AR-4<br/>
Official Business




<br/> <br/><table width="95%" border="1" cellpadding="5" cellspacing="0">
<tr><td align="center" valign="center" width="140">
Locy Type<br/>3r (A)<br/><br/>"G'TMO BAY /<br/>CUBA"
</td><td align="center" valign="center" width="100">
1928-03-05
</td><td align="center" width="320">
[[Image:GregCiesielski_Vestal_AR4_19280305_1_Postmark.jpg|thumb|center|300px]]
</td><td align="center" width="120">
[[Image:GregCiesielski_Vestal_AR4_19280305_1_Front.jpg|thumb|center|100px]]
</td></tr></table>
As AR-4<br/>
Sailor's Mail




<br/> <br/><table width="95%" border="1" cellpadding="5" cellspacing="0">
<tr><td valign="center" align="center" width="140">
Locy Type<br/>3r (A-BTT)
</td><td align="center" valign="center" width="100">
1939-06-15
</td><td align="center" width="320">
[[Image:Bunter_Vestal_AR_4_19390615_1_pm1.jpg|thumb|center|300px]]
</td><td align="center" width="120">
[[Image:Bunter_Vestal_AR_4_19390615_1_front.jpg|thumb|center|100px]]
</td></tr></table>
As AR-4<br/>




<br/> <br/><table width="95%" border="1" cellpadding="5" cellspacing="0">
<tr><td align="center" valign="center" width="140">
Locy Type<br/>3r (AC-BBB)<br/><br/>"SAN PEDRO /<br/>CALIF"
</td><td align="center" valign="center" width="100">
1938-07-29
</td><td align="center" width="320">
[[Image:GregCiesielski_Vestal_AR4_19380729_1_Postmark.jpg|thumb|center|300px]]
</td><td align="center" width="120">
[[Image:GregCiesielski_Vestal_AR4_19380729_1_Front.jpg|thumb|center|100px]]
</td></tr></table>
As AR-4<br/>
Cachet by Walter G. Crosby




<br/> <br/><table width="95%" border="1" cellpadding="5" cellspacing="0">
<tr><td align="center" valign="center" width="140">
Locy Type<br/>3r (AC-BBB) <br/><br/>"RING IN THE /<br/>NEW YEAR"
</td><td align="center" valign="center" width="100">
1940-01-01
</td><td align="center" width="320">
[[Image:vestalpm.jpg|thumb|center|250px]]
</td><td align="center" width="120">
[[Image:vestal.jpg|thumb|center|100px]]
</td></tr></table>
As AR-4<br/>
[[Cachet Category New Year's Day|New Years Day]] 1940




<br/> <br/><table width="95%" border="1" cellpadding="5" cellspacing="0">
<tr><td align="center" valign="center" width="140">
Locy Type<br/>3s
</td><td align="center" valign="center" width="100">
1922-12-13
</td><td align="center" width="320">
[[Image:JonBurdett vestal ar4 19221213 pm.jpg|thumb|center|300px]]
</td><td align="center" width="120">
[[Image:JonBurdett vestal ar4 19221213.jpg|thumb|center|100px]]
</td></tr></table>
As AR-4<br/>




<br/> <br/><table width="95%" border="1" cellpadding="5" cellspacing="0">
<tr><td align="center" valign="center" width="140">
Locy Type<br/>3s (A-TTT)<br/><br/>"28TH /<br/>ANNIVERSARY"
</td><td align="center" valign="center" width="100">
1937-10-04
</td><td align="center" width="320">
[[Image:GregCiesielski_Vestal_AR4_19371004_1_Postmark.jpg|thumb|center|300px]]
</td><td align="center" width="120">
[[Image:GregCiesielski_Vestal_AR4_19371004_1_Front.jpg|thumb|center|100px]]
</td></tr></table>
As AR-4<br/>
28th Anniversary, Cachet by Frederick Horton




<br/> <br/><table width="95%" border="1" cellpadding="5" cellspacing="0">
<tr><td valign="center" align="center" width="140">
Locy Type<br/>3s (A-TTT)
</td><td align="center" valign="center" width="100">
1934-11-29
</td><td align="center" width="320">
[[Image:Bunter_Vestal_AR_4_19341129_1_pm1.jpg|thumb|center|300px]]
</td><td align="center" width="120">
[[Image:Bunter_Vestal_AR_4_19341129_1_front.jpg|thumb|center|100px]]
</td></tr></table>
As AR-4<br/>




<br/> <br/><table width="95%" border="1" cellpadding="5" cellspacing="0">
<tr><td align="center" valign="center" width="140">
Locy Type<br/>3z (BBT)
</td><td align="center" valign="center" width="100">
1942-03-07
</td><td align="center" width="320">
[[Image:JonBurdett vestal ar4 19420307 pm.jpg|thumb|center|300px]]
</td><td align="center" width="120">
[[Image:JonBurdett vestal ar4 19420307.jpg|thumb|center|100px]]
</td></tr></table>
As AR-4<br/>
Add-on cachet by [[Cachet_Maker_Bruce_D_Liddell_ | Bruce D. Liddell]]




<br/> <br/><table width="95%" border="1" cellpadding="5" cellspacing="0">
<tr><td align="center" valign="center" width="140">
Locy Type<br/>6
</td><td align="center" valign="center" width="100">
1931-10-30
</td><td align="center" width="320">
[[Image:GregCiesielski_Vestal_AR4_19311030_1_Postmark.jpg|thumb|center|250px]]
</td><td align="center" width="120">
[[Image:GregCiesielski_Vestal_AR4_19311030_1_Front.jpg|thumb|center|100px]]
</td></tr></table>
As AR-4<br/>




<br/> <br/><table width="95%" border="1" cellpadding="5" cellspacing="0">
<tr><td align="center" valign="center" width="140">
Locy Type<br/>6
</td><td align="center" valign="center" width="100">
1933-06-10
</td><td align="center" width="320">
[[Image:JonBurdett vestal ar4 19330610 pm.jpg|thumb|center|250px]]
</td><td align="center" width="120">
[[Image:JonBurdett vestal ar4 19330610.jpg|thumb|center|100px]]
</td></tr></table>
As AR-4<br/>
Cachet by John Paul Jones Chapter No. 2, USCS




<br/> <br/><table width="95%" border="1" cellpadding="5" cellspacing="0">
<tr><td valign="center" align="center" width="140">
Locy Type<br/>6
</td><td align="center" valign="center" width="100">
1932-09-27
</td><td align="center" width="320">
[[Image:Bunter_Vestal_AR_4_19320927_1_pm1.jpg|thumb|center|250px]]
</td><td align="center" width="120">
[[Image:Bunter_Vestal_AR_4_19320927_1_front.jpg|thumb|center|100px]]
</td></tr></table>
As AR-4<br/>




<br/> <br/><table width="95%" border="1" cellpadding="5" cellspacing="0">
<tr><td align="center" valign="center" width="140">
Locy Type<br/>9v
</td><td align="center" valign="center" width="100">
1937-12-25
</td><td align="center" width="320">
[[Image:JonBurdett vestal ar4 19371225 pm9v.jpg|thumb|center|200px]]
</td><td align="center" width="120">
[[Image:JonBurdett vestal ar4 19371225.jpg|thumb|center|100px]]
</td></tr></table>
As AR-4<br/>
Multiple mark cover<br/>Christmas 1937 - New Year 1940




<br/> <br/><table width="95%" border="1" cellpadding="5" cellspacing="0">
<tr><td align="center" valign="center" width="140">
Locy Type<br/>9efw
</td><td align="center" valign="center" width="100">
1937-12-25
</td><td align="center" width="320">
[[Image:JonBurdett vestal ar4 19371225 pm9efw.jpg|thumb|center|200px]]
</td><td align="center" width="120">
[[Image:JonBurdett vestal ar4 19371225.jpg|thumb|center|100px]]
</td></tr></table>
As AR-4<br/>
Multiple mark cover<br/>Christmas 1937 - New Year 1940




<br/> <br/><table width="95%" border="1" cellpadding="5" cellspacing="0">
<tr><td align="center" valign="center" width="140">
Locy Type<br/>9x
</td><td align="center" valign="center" width="100">
1937-12-25
</td><td align="center" width="320">
[[Image:JonBurdett vestal ar4 19371225 pm9x.jpg|thumb|center|200px]]
</td><td align="center" width="120">
[[Image:JonBurdett vestal ar4 19371225.jpg|thumb|center|100px]]
</td></tr></table>
As AR-4<br/>
Multiple mark cover<br/>Christmas 1937 - New Year 1940




<br/> <br/><table width="95%" border="1" cellpadding="5" cellspacing="0">
<tr><td valign="center" align="center" width="140">
Locy Type<br/>F<br/><br/>USCS Catalog<br/>Illustration<br/>V-8c
</td><td align="center" valign="center" width="100">
1940-06-16
</td><td align="center" width="320">
[[Image:Bunter_Vestal_AR_4_19400616_1_pm1.jpg|thumb|center|300px]]
</td><td align="center" width="120">
[[Image:Bunter_Vestal_AR_4_19400616_1_front.jpg|thumb|center|100px]]
</td></tr></table>
As AR-4<br/>




<br/> <br/><table width="95%" border="1" cellpadding="5" cellspacing="0">
<tr><td align="center" valign="center" width="140">
Locy Type F<br/><br/>USCS Catalog<br/>Illustration<br/>V-8d
</td><td align="center" valign="center" width="100">
1946-05-07
</td><td align="center" width="320">
[[Image:GregCiesielski_Vestal_AR4_19480507_1_Postmark.jpg|thumb|center|300px]]
</td><td align="center" width="120">
[[Image:GregCiesielski_Vestal_AR4_19480507_1_Front.jpg|thumb|center|100px]]
</td></tr></table>
As AR-4<br/>




<br/> <br/><table width="95%" border="1" cellpadding="5" cellspacing="0">
<tr><td align="center" valign="center" width="140">
Locy Type Fz<br/><br/>USCS Catalog<br/>Illustration<br/>V-8e
</td><td align="center" valign="center" width="100">
1941-06-14
</td><td align="center" width="320">
[[Image:GregCiesielski_Vestal_AR4_19410614_1_Postmark.jpg|thumb|center|300px]]
</td><td align="center" width="120">
[[Image:GregCiesielski_Vestal_AR4_19410614_1_Front.jpg|thumb|center|100px]]
</td></tr></table>
As AR-4<br/>
Flag Day, cachet by Jacques Minkus




<br/> <br/><table width="95%" border="1" cellpadding="5" cellspacing="0">
<tr><td align="center" valign="center" width="140">
Locy Type Fz<br/><br/>USCS Catalog<br/>Illustration<br/>V-8e
</td><td align="center" valign="center" width="100">
1941-10-27
</td><td align="center" width="320">
[[Image:JonBurdett vestal ar4 19411027 pm.jpg|thumb|center|300px]]
</td><td align="center" width="120">
[[Image:JonBurdett vestal ar4 19411027.jpg|thumb|center|100px]]
</td></tr></table>
As AR-4<br/>
[[cachet Category Navy Day|Navy Day]] 1941<br/>Cachet by John Paul Jones Chapter No. 2, USCS




<br/> <br/><table width="95%" border="1" cellpadding="5" cellspacing="0">
<tr><td align="center" valign="center" width="140">
Locy Type<br/>SLK
</td><td align="center" valign="center" width="100">
1937-12-25
</td><td align="center" width="320">
[[Image:JonBurdett vestal ar4 19371225 slk.jpg|thumb|center|250px]]
</td><td align="center" width="120">
[[Image:JonBurdett vestal ar4 19371225.jpg|thumb|center|100px]]
</td></tr></table>
As AR-4<br/>
Multiple mark cover<br/>Christmas 1937 - New Year 1940




<br/> <br/><table width="95%" border="1" cellpadding="5" cellspacing="0">
<tr><td align="center" valign="center" width="140">
Locy Type<br/>SLKb (53x8)
</td><td align="center" valign="center" width="100">
c1937
</td><td align="center" width="320">
[[Image:JonBurdett vestal ar4 c1937 slp.jpg|thumb|center|200px]]
</td><td align="center" width="120">
[[Image:JonBurdett vestal ar4 c1937.jpg|thumb|center|100px]]
</td></tr></table>
As AR-4<br/>
Undated straightline mark




<br/> <br/><table width="95%" border="1" cellpadding="5" cellspacing="0">
<tr><td valign="center" align="center" width="140">
Locy Type<br/>SLPb (53x8)
</td><td align="center" valign="center" width="100">
1937-07-04
</td><td align="center" width="320">
[[Image:Bunter_Vestal_AR_4_19370704_1_pm1.jpg|thumb|center|200px]]
</td><td align="center" width="120">
[[Image:Bunter_Vestal_AR_4_19370704_1_front.jpg|thumb|center|100px]]
</td></tr></table>
As AR-4<br/>
Cachet is thermographed. The last digit of the date is illegible. 1937 is a best guess based on the known date range for this postmark.


<p> </p>

<h3>Other Information</h3>
Earned 2 Battle Stars (WWII)<br/>*
[[The Pearl Harbor Ships|Pearl Harbor December 7 1941]]<br/><br/>
Awards, Citations and Campaign Ribbons...<br/>
Combat Action Ribbon<br/>Mexican Service Medal<br/>China Service Medal<br/>World War I Victory Medal<br/>American Defense Service Medal (with Fleet clasp)<br/>American Campaign Medal<br/>Asiatic-Pacific Campaign Medal (2)<br/>World War II Victory Medal<br/>Navy Occupation Service Medal (with Asia clasp)<br/><br/>
For his actions on December 7 1941 at Pearl Harbor, T.H., the VESTAL's Commanding Officer, Cdr. [[CASSIN YOUNG DD 793|Cassin Young]], was awarded the Medal of Honor<br/><br/>Members of the VESTAL's Repair Department that proceeded to sea in [[SARATOGA CV 3|USS SARATOGA CV-3]] before her repairs were completed were awarded the Navy Unit Commendation along with the SARATOGA's crew<br/><br/>
'''NAMESAKE''' - Named for a virgin—dedicated to Vesta, the Roman goddess of hearth and fire—who tended the sacred fire kept perpetually burning on her altar<br/><br/>

Undated postcard of the ship:<br/>
<table><tr><td>[[Image:bunter_vestal_ar_4_1_postcard.jpg|thumb|center|200px]]</td></tr></table>




<p> </p>
<hr/>
<p> </p>
If you have images or information to add to this page, then either
[[Contact_Us | contact the Curator]] or edit this page yourself and add it.
See [[Editing_Ship_Pages | Editing Ship Pages]] for detailed information on
editing this page.
<p> </p>
<hr>
<font size="-2">Copyright {{CURRENTYEAR}} Naval Cover Museum</font>