MERVINE DMS 31

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.

Gleaves Class Destroyer Keel Laid 3 November 1941 - Launched 3 May 1942 USS MERVINE DD-489 Commissioned 17 June 1942 USS MERVINE DMS-31 Converted to High-speed Minesweeper (DMS) 30 May 1945 Decommissioned 27 May 1949 USS MERVINE DD-489 Reverted to Destroyer (DD) 15 July 1955, while in reserve Struck from Naval Register 31 July 1968 Sold 27 October 1969 and broken up for scrap

Rear Admiral William Mervine, USN

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).

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1. USS Mervine DMS-31 Covers Page 1     (1942-1946)

 

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	Postmark Date	Thumbnail Link To Postmark Image	Thumbnail Link To Cover Image

 

Locy Type 2(n) (DMS)

1946-07-05

As DMS-31

 

Locy Type 3z (BTT)

1944-09-25

As DD-489
Requisition form requesting new postmarks.

 

Locy Type 3z (BTB)

1946-04-03

DMS-31. From the Bob Govern collection.

 

Locy Type 9efu USCS Postmark Catalog Illus. M-77

1946-04-03

DMS-31. From the Bob Govern collection.

 

Locy Type 9vz

1944-09-25

As DD-489. Requisition form requesting new postmarks.

 

Locy Type SL

1946-04-03

DMS-31. An example of the ships straight-line marking. From the Bob Govern collection.

 

Other Information

USS MERVINE received three battle stars for World War II service

NAMESAKE - Rear Admiral William Mervine, USN (14 March 1791 – 15 September 1868).
Mervine, born in Philadelphia, Pa., was appointed midshipman in January 1809. Serving on Lake Ontario during the war of 1812, he later cruised off Africa and South America, in the West Indies and in the Pacific. While in command of USS Savannah during the war with Mexico, 1846-47, he led a detachment of Sailors and Marines against Monterey, 7 July 1847, took possession and hoisted the American flag over the city. Serving also during the Civil War, he served as the Flag Officer of the Gulf Squadron from 6 May 1861, until obliged by ill health to give up the command 22 September 1861. He died at Utica, N.Y.

The ships sponsor was Miss Mildred Mervine, great-granddaughter of Rear Adm. Wm. Mervine.

Two ships of the US Navy have been named in his honor - USS Mervine DD-322 and USS Mervine DD-489/DMS-31.

 

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