Sea mail from us

A fascinating topic!

Sea mail, also known as ocean mail or marine mail, refers to the postal service that connects the United States with other countries across the seas. Here's an overview:

History: The first sea mail service was established in 1847, when the United States Post Office Department (USPOD) contracted with the American Steamship Company to carry mail between the US and Europe. The service was initially limited to a few routes, but it expanded rapidly as steamship technology improved and more routes were added.

Routes: Today, the US Postal Service (USPS) operates sea mail services on several routes, including:

  1. Panama Canal Route: Mail travels from the East Coast of the US to Europe and Asia via the Panama Canal.
  2. West Coast Route: Mail travels from the West Coast of the US to Asia and Australia via the Pacific Ocean.
  3. Transatlantic Route: Mail travels from the East Coast of the US to Europe via the North Atlantic Ocean.

How it works: When you send mail from the US to another country, it typically travels by air or land to a major USPS hub, such as New York or Los Angeles. From there, it is transferred to a sea mail vessel, which carries it to its destination. The journey can take several weeks, depending on the route and the type of mail.

Types of sea mail: There are several types of sea mail, including:

  1. Surface Mail: This is the most common type of sea mail, which travels by sea and takes several weeks to arrive.
  2. Airmail: This type of mail travels by air and then by sea, taking less time to arrive.
  3. Priority Mail: This is a faster and more expensive option that uses a combination of air and sea transportation.

Interesting facts:

  1. The USPS has a fleet of 12 sea mail vessels, which are operated by private companies under contract.
  2. Sea mail vessels are equipped with specialized containers and equipment to handle mail, including automated sorting machines.
  3. The USPS has a team of experts who monitor the sea mail service and ensure that mail is delivered efficiently and reliably.

I hope this information helps you understand the fascinating world of sea mail from the US!