For the Centenary of the entrance into World War I of the United States 1917-1918 the French Post issued one stamp of 1.30 Euro, which shows us a medallion of General Pershing, a Curtiss model plane JN and the American cargo vessel ROCHESTER, also some troops carrying the American flag.
ROCHESTER: Built as a cargo vessel under yard no 98 by Great Lakes Engineering Works, Ecorse Mi. for Ocean Freight Lines Inc. Wilmington, De.
Launched as the YAGUEZ.
Tonnage 2,551 gross, 1,992 net, dim. 75.3 x 13.3 x 8.9m.
Powered by one 3-cyl. triple expansion steam engine, 1,350 ihp, one shaft, speed ?
Crew 32.
May 1912 completed.
1916 Sold to Vacuum Oil Co. New York not renamed.
1917 Sold to Kerr SS Co. Inc., New York renamed in ROCHESTER.
She was not sailing a long time for the company, after discharging a general cargo at Manchester U.K. she sailed in ballast from that port on 26 October 1917. At that time she was armed with two 3 inch guns mounted one fore and one aft. At that time she had a crew of 36 men and 13 men naval gun crew. She was bound for Baltimore in a convoy with nine other merchantmen and escorted with several destroyers and one armed merchant cruiser, after the escorting warships returned to their base in Great Britain she proceeded to her destination
02 November 1917 she was sunk by the German U-95 under command of Athalwin Prinz in position 55 17N 17 44W with the loss of 23 men.
France 2017 1.30 Euro sg?, scott?
Source: La Poste Communiquć de Press Mai 2017. http://www.miramarshipindex.nz U boat net.
http://greatlakes.bgsu.edu/vessel/view/008011