Reuben James

[john sefton]

Noted on the stamp as a Destroyer, the Reuben James was originally built as a Light Cruiser.
All these 'Flush Decked' ships were completed by 1922, but some were extensively modified between the wars. A total of 169 vessels including four of the prototype series remained after the loss of twelve vessels and the disposal of ninety three others. In addition to these one became a sonar test ship, two became fast seaplane tenders and one became a prototype test transport.
Fourteen ships became AVDs and eighteen were converted into fast minesweepers.
The major deletion in these 'flush deckers' was the transfer of fifty to Britain leaving Just seventy one available as Destroyers in the Autumn of 1941.
REUBEN JAMES ws built 1919 by New York Shipbuilding Corp. 1190tons. Length 314'. Beam 30'. Draught 10'. Turbines gave 26,000shp and she had a speed of 35 knots.
Armament Four 4in and One 3in guns. 12 TT.
During 1941 she was employed in convoy duties between the North American coast and Iceland.
On 7 July of that year US forces arrived in Iceland for the protection of that country for the duration of WWII as agreed by President Roosevelt and the Prime Minister of Iceland.
Just over three months later, on 29 October REUBEN JAMES was torpedoed West of the Island by a German Submarine. She was struck amidships and broke in two the forward portion sinking almost immediately. The after portion on which there were 43 men, remained afloat long enough for these survivors to take to the life rafts. 7 Officers and 88 Ratings were drowned.

Research Sources:-
Conways All the Worlds Fighting Fleets. Vol 3. and Dictionary of Disasters at Sea During The Age of Steam

Log Book November 1990

Marshall Is SG374 St Vincent SG1515 USA SG2616

[aukepalmhof]

She is depict on many stamps, but most of this stamps have some design flaws. The St Vincent and United State stamps shows the attack took place in daylight, whereas it actually occurred at daybreak at 5.25 a,m. All the stamp depict the ship in periscope sights whereas the attack took place while the U-boat was on the surface.
The St Vincent stamp shows the wrong side of the ship, REUBEN JAMES was struck on the port side. The Marshall Island stamp issued in 1991 has the U-boat wrongly named as U-562, she was the U-552 her commander Lt. Cdr Erich Topp you can find on Germany 1944 6pf+4pf sg?, scott B260
Watercraft Philately.