SHIRK DD 318
Ship Name and Designation History
This section lists the names and designations that the ship had during its lifetime. The list is in chronological order.
Keel Laid February 13 1919 - Launched June 20 1919 |
This section lists active links to the pages displaying covers associated with the ship. There should be a separate set of pages for each name of the ship (for example, Bushnell AG-32 / Sumner AGS-5 are different names for the same ship so there should be one set of pages for Bushnell and one set for Sumner). 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.
- Covers Page 1 (1928)
Postmarks
This section lists examples of the postmarks used by the ship. There should be a separate set of postmarks for each name and/or commissioning period. 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.
>>> If you have a better example for any of the postmarks, please feel free to replace the
existing example.
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Postmark Type |
Postmark Date |
Thumbnail Link To Postmark Image |
Thumbnail Link To Cover Image |
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Locy Type |
1928-10-15 |
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Note:
Other Information
NAMESAKE - James W. Shirk USN (July 16 1832 - February 10 1873)
Shirk was appointed Midshipman on March 26 1849. He cruised between 1849 and 1860 on the coasts of Africa, East India, and North America, in the Gunnery Ship PLYMOUTH. He also served in the Great Lakes and on the Pacific station. During the Civil War, he won distinction for his service in the Mississippi Squadron at the Battle of Fort Henry on February 6 1862; and at Pittsburgh Landing on March 1 1862; and again on April 6-7 1862. During the latter engagement at Pittsburgh Landing, his ship, LEXINGTON, in company with TYLER, prevented the enemy from crossing the river and saved the Union army from defeat in the bloody battle of Shiloh. He later took part in engagements with Confederate batteries at Chickasaw Bayou, St. Charles, White River, Arkansas Post, and the passage of the Vicksburg batteries. During the siege of Vicksburg, his ship, TUSCUMBIA, was frequently under fire between May 19 and the Confederate surrender on July 4 1863. He commanded the Seventh Division of the Mississippi Squadron in 1863 and 1864. After peace had been restored, he cruised in the European Squadron and performed special duty for the Navy Department from 1866 to 1872. Commander Shirk died in Washington, D.C., on February 10 1873
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