First and Only Delivery of “Missile Mail”
On June 8, 1959, the U.S. Post Office Department launched its experimental missile mail in an attempt to find a faster method of mail delivery.
The idea of using rockets or missiles to deliver the mail stretches back hundreds of years. The first person to suggest such a form of mail delivery was German author Heinrich von Kleist. In October 1810, he wrote an article in his newspaper, the Berliner Abendblätter, proposing that fixed artillery batteries be used to fire shells filled with letters. He believed that a letter could be sent from Berlin to Breslau, about 180 miles, in half a day.
The idea was actually put into practice decades later in Tonga, but found that it was unreliable. The first rocket mail was launched in April 1931 with 102 pieces of mail between Schöckl and St. Radegund, Austria. That flight was successful and several others were staged through 1932.
The rocket mail craze spread to several other countries and was usually supported by stamp collectors. In India, Stephen Smith, Secretary of the Indian Airmail Society, began launching mail rockets in September 1934. In the course of a decade he launched over 270 rockets, 80 of which contained mail. He had a number of victories, including the first rocket mail sent over a river and the first to carry a parcel. His accomplishments were honored in 1992 with an India postage stamp.
America began experimenting with rocket mail as well. The first U.S. rocket mail delivery occurred in February 1936. Two rockets were launched from New York and landed 100 yards away. This success led to further experiments.
Then in 1959 the U.S. Post Office Department was ready to launch the first missile mail. Working with the U.S. Navy, they established a postal branch on the USS Barbero submarine. They then fitted submarine with a Regulus cruise missile, whose nuclear warhead was replaced by two mail containers. The 3,000 letters it contained were largely commemorative covers from U.S. Postmaster General Arthur E. Summerfield addressed to President Dwight Eisenhower, government officials, members of the Universal Union, and more. Before the submarine was launched, each cover received a “USS Barbero Jun 8 9.30am 1959” cancellation.
That day, June 8, 1959, the U.S. Post Office Department launched this missile mail from the submarine to the Naval Auxiliary Air Station in Mayport, Florida. The missile traveled about 600 miles per hour, reaching its destination 100 miles away in about 22 minutes.
After witnessing the missile’s arrival at Mayport, Summerfield said that, “This peacetime employment of a guided missile for the important and practical purpose of carrying mail, is the first known official use of missiles by any Post Office Department of any nation.” He said it was “of historic significance to the peoples of the entire world” and predicted that “before man reaches the moon, mail will be delivered within hours from New York to California, to Britain, to India or Australia by guided missiles. We stand on the threshold of rocket mail.”
Despite Summerfield’s excitement, few others saw missile mail as a practical means of delivery. The Department of Defense believed the experiment proved the accuracy of U.S. missile capabilities. And many believed the cost of missile mail was too high to be practical.
Click here to view photos and a cover from the first and only missile mail delivery.
very interesting in the history of USPS Delivery Mail wow.
I saw US# 3373-77 stamps but didn’t know the story behind it. Never heard about missile mail.
Thanks Mystic for interesting story.
Never knew about this either. Fascinating story.
Wow, first I ever heard of “missile”mail!
Hmmmm, very interesting. Something seems to be missing from “this day in history” story, or I missed it. I wonder how the landings of these missile shots were accomplished? Parachutes or just huge catchers mitts?
I went to the pictures link. You assumed, as did I, that it was a polaris missile. It was actually a Regulus cruise missile that has the capability of landing on airplane type landing gear.
Wait till Domino’s hears about this.
What a wonderful story. I have been collecting stamps for many years and have never heard of this.
Thank you Mystic.
THIS IS THE ONLY TIME THAT MYSTIC MADE A BAD CHOICE. In the 1st part showing pictures of 5 (five) US submarines each one capable of delivering several nuke missile at the same time in my opinion not a good idea. Those submarines are / were built for one purpose and only one. And that was NOT for delivering the US Mail
See previous comment. Thank Ypu
Never did know that this way of mail delivery, ever took place.
There was never any mention of the Pony Express in mail delivery. Maybe I took it for granted that tthe Pony Express delivered mail besides important messages. Please inform me if I was correct or mis-informed.. Thank you Mystic for your wonderful history lessons.
As a retired teacher, I wanted to add, “I never knew about “Missile Mail”. I thank you for the many wonderful and intriguing history lessons about our stamps. Your great articles and incredible inventory are the best reasons why MYSTIC STAMP is the leader in it’s field.”
Mystic, you do a great job telling the stories behind the stamps we collectors so cherish. Big thank you to the person(s) who research and write this info everyday. Keeps us in the loop.
Thank you, Mr James J Pepper. I believe the reason why submarines with
nuclear capabilities are shown, is because they are the most recent stamps
to depict submarines, as the article alludes to. Mystic could have used WWII
Nazi semi-postal stamps, showing German U boats, but that would be contro-
vercial. I worked at General Dynamics, Electric Boat Corp. in Groton, Ct. in 1995 – 1996 designing what would be the next class of advanced submarine, for the United States Navy.
I have heard of thei but didn’t know the details – great article!
Very fascinating story. Although I heard about missile mail but I never realized that USA also took part in this historical mail delivery system. Thank you very much.
Here is the correct link to the missile mail article from the Smithsonian Postal Museum:
https://postalmuseum.si.edu/firing-letters-the-60th-anniversary-of-missile-mail
Thank you.
Great info as always.