U.S.S. Houston Postal Collection

This is a great set of 4 covers the first featuring a cachet celebrating Franklin D. Roosevelt and the first Presidential Visit to Hawaii in July 1934. Roosevelt arrived on the USS Houston. The cover is posted on July 26, 1934 during the visit and cancelled from the USS Houston, Honolulu Hawaiian Territory. There is another one with Roosvelt marked presidential cruise dated July17, 1938. One commemorating Washingtons anniversary f his birth dated July 27,1932 and last is for the U.S. Navy dated May 31, 1934.The condition of all covers is very good with minor wear and soiling. The USS Houston was sunk on March 1, 1942 with a loss of over 650 lives. Below is an excerpt from an internet article.

On 28 February 1942, the day after the Battle of the Java Sea, the ABDA cruisers Perth and Houston steamed into Banten Bay. It is believed that they had no knowledge of the Japanese battle fleet, their last intelligence report having stated that the only Japanese warships in the area were 50 miles away and headed away. It is however possible that they were hoping to damage the Japanese invasion forces there. The two ships were attacked as they approached the bay, but evaded the nine torpedoes launched by destroyer Fubuki.

The cruisers then reportedly sank one transport and forced three others to beach. It is more likely that the transports were damaged by some of the over 90 Long Lance torpedoes fired at the two cruisers by Japanese destroyers. A Japanese destroyer squadron blocked Sundra Strait, their means of retreat, and the Japanese heavy cruisers Mogami and Mikuma stood dangerously near. The Houston and Perth could not withdraw. Perth came under fire at 23:36 and in an hour had been sunk from gunfire and torpedo hits. Houston then fought alone until soon after midnight, when she was struck by a torpedo and began to lose headway.

Houston's gunners had scored hits on three different destroyers and sank a minesweeper, but then suffered three more torpedo explosions in quick succession. Captain Albert Rooks was killed by a bursting shell at 00:30 and as the ship came to a stop Japanese destroyers moved in, machine gunning the decks. A few minutes later, Houston rolled over and sank, her ensign still flying. Of the original crew of 1,061 men, 368 survived, including 24 of the 74-man USMC detachment.

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