Mostly clear strike of "U.S. SHIP/3cts." in circle cancel on cover to Grafton, Mass.

Mail to and from sailors and soldiers aboard gunboats and blockaders was carried and distributed by special vessels known as U.S Ships. These vessels were federal so they were not subject to the rules governing non-contract, private SHIP mail. Most mail conveyed to and from these vessels received one of several types of "U.S. SHIP MAIL" cancellations.