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The J.W. Westcott II is the only floating post office in the United States. Operating out of Detroit, Michigan, the boat delivers mail to passing ships on the Detroit River. The J.W. Westcott II has its own zip code, 48222, and is the only floating post office in the US with its own zip code. The boat was established in 1874 by Captain John Ward Westcott, who initially ferried supplies to ships using a rowboat. By 1895, Westcott began delivering mail, and in 1948, the Westcott company became an official part of the US Postal Service.

The J.W. Westcott II is the name of the floating post office

The J.W. Westcott II was built in 1949 and is named in honour of the company's founder. It is powered by a 305-horsepower marine diesel engine and can travel at a speed of 15 knots or roughly 17 miles per hour. The post office has its own unique zip code, 48222, which is exclusive to the floating post office and its ship addressees.

Mail is delivered to vessels transiting the Detroit River, with packages addressed to "Vessel Name, Marine Post Office, Detroit, Michigan, 48222". The mail is then delivered to the ships using ropes and buckets. While the J.W. Westcott II primarily delivers mail, it has also been known to deliver other items such as pizza, coffee, cigarettes, toothpaste, televisions, and even a goat destined for a petting zoo.

The J.W. Westcott II is more than just a post office, it is a connection to the outside world for the sailors who spend months at a time on the water. The crew of the tugboat take great pride in their work, ensuring that they get supplies and letters to those who rely on them, no matter the weather or time of day.

It has its own zip code: 48222

The J.W. Westcott II is the only floating post office in the United States with its own zip code: 48222. The boat has been delivering mail to crew members on vessels on the Detroit River since 1949.

The J.W. Westcott Company was established in 1874 by Captain John Ward Westcott, who ferried supplies and messages to passing ships via rowboat. In 1895, Westcott began delivering US mail. In 1948, the company signed a contract with the US Postal Service, and the J.W. Westcott II was built the following year.

The J.W. Westcott II is a 45-foot tugboat with a 305-horsepower marine diesel engine. It can travel at 15 knots or roughly 17 miles per hour. The boat's unique zip code is used exclusively for mail delivery to lake freighters and other vessels on the Detroit River. Mail is typically delivered using a system of ropes and buckets.

In addition to mail, the J.W. Westcott II delivers packages and a variety of other items, including groceries, mechanical parts, and freight. The company provides a vital connection to the outside world for sailors who spend extended periods on the water without setting foot on land.

The J.W. Westcott II is more than just a mail delivery service; it is a unique part of Detroit's history and a testament to the resilience of the shipping industry in the face of technological changes.

It delivers mail to ships on the Detroit River

The J.W. Westcott II is a 45-foot tugboat that operates as the only floating post office in the United States. It delivers mail to ships on the Detroit River, which separates the United States from Canada.

The J.W. Westcott Company has been in business for over 140 years, delivering mail to crew members on the many vessels that pass through the Detroit River. The company was founded in 1874 by Captain John Ward Westcott, who initially ferried supplies to passing ships via rowboat. By 1895, Westcott had expanded his services to include mail delivery.

The J.W. Westcott II was built in 1949 and is powered by a 305-horsepower marine diesel engine, allowing it to travel at speeds of up to 15 knots. It is the only floating post office with its own zip code: 48222. Mail is delivered to ships using a system of ropes and buckets.

In addition to mail, the J.W. Westcott II also delivers packages and other unusual items. It has been known to deliver everything from love letters and pizza to a goat destined for a petting zoo. The floating post office operates 24 hours a day, seven days a week from mid-April to December, providing a vital connection to the outside world for sailors who spend months at a time on the water.

The Detroit River remains one of the busiest waterways in the world, and the J.W. Westcott II plays a unique and important role in ensuring that crew members on these vessels receive their mail and packages.

It was founded by Captain John Ward Westcott in 1874

The J.W. Westcott Company, founded by Captain John Ward Westcott in 1874, has been delivering mail and other supplies to ships passing through the Detroit River for over 140 years.

Westcott was born into a prominent shipping family, with his parents being among the earliest shipowners in the Great Lakes area. They were also the first couple to be married on a steamship in the Great Lakes. As a young man, Westcott worked in his father's shipyard and served as a cabin boy. By the age of 20, in 1869, he had become the youngest captain working on freshwater.

At the time, communication was a challenge in the shipping industry, as ship captains did not have radios or other advanced technology to rely on. Westcott devised a system of delivering messages to ships by placing them in a pail and moving his boat alongside the advancing ships, which would then hoist the pail to retrieve the information. This system proved so efficient that it eventually led to the founding of the J.W. Westcott Company in 1874.

Initially, the company focused on providing ''ship-to-shore'' communications, helping captains determine where to dock and which areas to avoid. Over time, the company expanded its services, and by 1895, Westcott began delivering US mail to passing ships. In 1948, the company signed a contract with the US Postal Service, becoming an official mail boat.

Today, the J.W. Westcott II, named in honour of its founder, continues to deliver mail and other supplies to ships on the Detroit River. It is the only floating post office in the United States, with its own unique zip code: 48222. The boat is 45 feet long and is powered by a 305-horsepower marine diesel engine, allowing it to travel at speeds of up to 15 knots.

The J.W. Westcott Company has played a vital role in Detroit's history, surviving through various economic and social changes in the city. It has adapted to technological advancements and changes in the shipping industry, diversifying its services to remain afloat.

It's also known as the 7-11 of the Great Lakes

The J.W. Westcott Company, also known as the 7-11 of the Great Lakes, is a floating post office delivering mail to ships in the Detroit River. It is the only floating post office in the United States and has been operating for over 140 years.

The company was established in 1874 by Captain John Ward Westcott, who initially delivered messages to ships via rowboat. In 1949, the company commissioned the building of the J.W. Westcott II, a 45-foot tugboat. This vessel has been delivering mail, packages, and unusual items such as pizza and even a goat to ships ever since.

The J.W. Westcott II is based in Detroit, Michigan, and has its own zip code: 48222. It is the only boat in the country with this distinction. The company is known for its unique and essential service, delivering mail and other goods to sailors who spend months at a time on the water.

The Great Lakes, of which there are five (Superior, Michigan, Huron, Erie, and Ontario), are located in the east-central interior of North America along the Canada-United States border. They are a significant source of transportation, trade, and fishing, with a rich history that dates back to the early explorers of the region.

The J.W. Westcott Company, with its floating post office, is an integral part of the Great Lakes' history and continues to play a vital role in connecting sailors to their homes and providing a much-needed service to those working on the water.

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