Smithfield, Va. Stampless Folded Letter, USS Pennsylvania 1838

Description

Virginia, Smithfield, Va. Negative Oval
cancel in black. SFL headed Smithfield Isle of Wight Co, Va May 7th1838. Letter headed Smithfield Isle of Wight Co., Va., May 7, 1838.
Letter discusses a visit to Old Point Comfort with observations of the USS Pennsylvania
(see content excerpt below). Super letter content. Folded letter with light soiling, and some internal fold splits. Shipped with USPS First Class Package.
An excerpt of content relative to the visit to the USS Pennsylvania follows (bottom half of page two of the letter) "About ten days ago I took my school onboard a sloop sailed to see the "big ship" (Pennsylvania) then to Old Point the largest fortification & which guards the channel to N. The ship is really a monster and carries 150 guns those on the deck are 32 pounds and ten feet long & 2 feet in diameter at the breech. It is 50 feet high and draws when loaded 26 feet of water. With that I am on the whole much pleased."
Entire content of the letter posted 8/11/21.
USS Pennsylvania was a three-decked ship of the line of the United States Navy, rated at 130 guns, and named for the state of Pennsylvania. She was the largest United States sailing warship ever built.
Shipped by USPS First Class package.