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The US Coast Guard And Cutter Service

By Karen Rogers


In 1915, a merger took place between the United States Revenue cutter Service and the United States Lifesaving Service. As a result, the us coast guard was born. Although, not known as the guard until much later in history, the roots of the guard go back to 1790. At which time, Alexander Hamilton ordered vessels back to the East Coast to collect and enforce tariffs.

The official birthday of the guard is considered to be August 4, 1790. After which, an act related to Tariffs was passed by Congress. As a result, ten cutters and one hundred recruits were put into a action. For, as the Navy had disbanded, the crews and vessels were the only naval force in the country. As a result, while hired to enforce and collect tariffs, the crews were also responsible for patrolling the eastern seaboard.

The cutters were not originally a part of the Navy, or any other organized force and operated independently. In most cases, each cutter, or a group of cutters were assigned stations on the Eastern seaboard. Whereas, the cutters were often referred to as Revenue Marine, only later becoming recognized as part of the official Revenue Cutter Services division of the Coast Guard.

When the United States Navy was re-established in 1790, the crews of the cutters took on more responsibilities. Some of these responsibilities included, ferrying government officials, delivering mail, rescuing mariners in distress while still combating piracy. As such, a number of individuals decided to leave the Cutter Service while others remained on board.

In 1794, the Revenue-Marine was given the order to prevent the trading of slaves from Africa to the United States. While the cutters captured and stopped between 400 and 500 slave ships, there were many whom made it through the waterways and onto land where many slaves were sold. Then, in 1808, the cutters and crews were given the responsibility to enforce President Jefferson's embargo, thus closing ports between the United States and Europe.

In 1822, the United States Coast Guard became known for efforts related to protecting the environment. Whereas, the cutters and crews were also used in the War of 1812 and what became a quasi-war between the United States and France at the end of the 1700s. After which, the organization began life saving rescues while continuing to promote protection of the environment.

The first shots of the Civil War were fired by crews on the USRC Harriet. At which time, the cutters returned to the Atlantic Blocking Squadron. After which, some of the Revenue Marine Service members which had left the original service banded together and began a revenue cutter service which was part and parcel to the Confederacy.

While most noted as helping creating Alaska and supplying food to people in the area in the late 1800s, the Revenue Cutter Service and the United States Coast Guard both played a role in delivering food and supplies to areas in need. It is believed that the first life saving services occurred during what is believed to be one of the first relief expeditions when the group assisted whalers whom were trapped and starving off the Alaska coast. Whereas, in 1900, the crews helped destitute miners located in rural Alaska move to Seattle.




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