WILKES-BARRE CL 103

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.

Cleveland Class Light Cruiser Keel Laid December 14 1942 - Launched December 24 1943 USS WILKES-BARRE CL-103 Commissioned July 1 1944 - Decommissioned October 9 1947 Struck from Naval Register January 15 1971 Sunk May 12 1972 as test hulk for underwater explosives

Naval Covers

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.

1. Covers Page 1    (1945-47)

 

Postmarks

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.
 
>>> If you have a better example for any of the postmarks, please feel free to replace the existing example.

 

Postmark Type --- Killer Bar Text	Date From to Date To	Thumbnail Link To Postmark Image	Thumbnail Link To Cover Image

 

Camden NJ Machine

1943-12-24

Launching

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Locy Type 2(n) USCS Postmark Catalog Illus. W-27

1946-03-06

Note:

 

Locy Type 2(n) USCS Postmark Catalog Illus. W-27a

1947-05-16

Note:

 

Locy Type 2z

1944-10-12

Censored wartime (WWII) use

 

Locy Type 2z*

1945-11-13

Cachet by George V. Sadworth

 

Locy Type 2z*

1945-11-17

Note:

 

Locy Type 9efu

1947-05-16

Note: Back side of the May 16 1947 cover.

 

Locy Type P USCS Postmark Catalog Illus. W-27b

1945-09-02

Note: Although lacking the strict parameters of legitimacy set by the USCS Postmark Catalog (Mimeograph cachet and censoring)...
This appears to be a legitimate use due to the 6c airmail, weak strike, and corner card.

 

Locy Type FAKE USCS Postmark Catalog Illus. W-27b

1945-09-02

Note: "The device from which this postmark was produced was later obtained by a cover dealer and used to produce hundreds of fake covers. Genuine covers are censored, postally used, with a mimeograph cachet and either sent free or with a 6¢ airmail stamp. Fake covers usually have 3¢ commemorative stamps, colored printed cachets, and no address or censor mark. Covers with the 9efu and "TOKYO/BAY" or "NAVY/DAY" as killers are also believed to be fake products of the same dealer." (USCS Postmark Catalog, 1997)

 

Locy Type FAKE USCS Postmark Catalog Illus. W-27b

1945-09-02

Note: "The device from which this postmark was produced was later obtained by a cover dealer and used to produce hundreds of fake covers. Genuine covers are censored, postally used, with a mimeograph cachet and either sent free or with a 6¢ airmail stamp. Fake covers usually have 3¢ commemorative stamps, colored printed cachets, and no address or censor mark. Covers with the 9efu and "TOKYO/BAY" or "NAVY/DAY" as killers are also believed to be fake products of the same dealer." (USCS Postmark Catalog, 1997)

 

Locy Type FAKE USCS Postmark Catalog Illus. W-27b

1945-09-02

No Image

Note: "The device from which this postmark was produced was later obtained by a cover dealer and used to produce hundreds of fake covers. Genuine covers are censored, postally used, with a mimeograph cachet and either sent free or with a 6¢ airmail stamp. Fake covers usually have 3¢ commemorative stamps, colored printed cachets, and no address or censor mark. Covers with the 9efu and "TOKYO/BAY" or "NAVY/DAY" as killers are also believed to be fake products of the same dealer." (USCS Postmark Catalog, 1997)

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N/A

1943-12-24

N/A

Souvenir card for the Launching

 

Locy Type SL

1945-11-13

Cachet by George V. Sadworth

 

Locy Type SL

1945-11-17

Note:

 

Other Information

WILKES-BARRE earned 4 Battle Stars (WWII)

NAMESAKE - Named after the city of Wilkes-Barre, Pennsylvania

 

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If you have images or information to add to this page, then either contact the Curator or edit this page yourself and add it. See Editing Ship Pages for detailed information on editing this page.

 

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