Oct. 9, c1868

Miss H. F. Coan

Hilo, Hawaii
Sandwich Islands

Per Idaho  (USS Idaho)
Postmarked Oct. 9 PaidAll San Francisco



Harriet ‘Hattie’ Fidelia Coan
(Hilo born 1839 - 1906)

Daughter of Titus Coan
of Haili Church in Hilo

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U.S.S. Idaho
A 3,241-ton steam sloop, was part of an American Civil War
program of large, very fast, steam cruisers.
Completed in May 1866, the ship was then modified

and became one of the fastest ships in the U.S. Navy.
Converted to a full-rigged sailing ship at New York City
and recommissioned 3 October 1867, Lt. Edward Hooker in command.
The converted Idaho was one of the fastest sailing ships of her day,
and sailed 1 November 1867 for Rio de Janeiro, Brazil.
From there she continued the long voyage to the Far East,
arriving Nagasaki 18 May 1868.
During that passage, she logged over 18 knots (21 mph),
making her one of the fastest sailing ships ever built.
The ship made a few trips in the time, but remained mainly in Nagasaki
as a store and hospital ship for the Asiatic Squadron.
In mid-August 1869 Idaho moved to Yokohama, Empire of Japan,
to prepare for the long voyage back to the United States,
and soon afterward, 20 September, she got underway for San Francisco, California.

Next day, however, the ship was hit by a raging typhoon.
Her masts were carried away and her hull was severely damaged,
but the stout ship stayed afloat and was brought back to Yokohama by her crew,
with the assistance of the German corvette Medusa.
Little more than a hulk, the gallant Idaho remained
in the harbor until decommissioning 31 December 1873.
She was sold in 1874 to the East Indies Trading Company.

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Pair of Green THREE CENT Geo. Washington USA Stamps
Scott Number 158
w/ Fancy Cancels