Wednesday, July 17, 2019

The Beginning Days Of The US Coast Guard

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.

On August 4, 1790, the United States Coast Guard was officially established and became a military unit. After which, the Tariff Act was also passed by Congress, thus allowing for the construction of ten cutters and 100 recruits. Between 1790 and 1798, due to the disbandment of the Navy, the recruits became the only naval force of the United States. As such, while hired primarily to enforce tariffs, the crews were also on guard against pirate and slave ships in the area.

Originally the cutters were not part of the Navy or an organized service. Rather each cutter operated separately and independently while being assigned to patrol a specific area along the Eastern seaboard. Most often, the cutters were referred to as the "Revenue-Marine, " then later became recognized as Revenue Cutter Services once better organized.

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 the mid-1700s, the Revenue-Marine was provided an order to prevent and stop the trading of African slaves to America. While having stopped between four and five hundred ships, the job was just too difficult for such small crews. As such, there were many whom still made it onto land in different areas in which many of the slaves were sold. After which, the cutters were ordered to enforce a new embargo against those not paying tariffs by closing the ports between Europe and the United States.

It was not until the Timber Act of 1822 that the Coast Guard became known as an agent related to environmental protection. Then, during times of crisis or war, the crews and cutters were at the disposal of the U. S. Navy. Two wars with which the cutters were associated included the War of 1812 and the quasi-War with France from 1798 to 1799.

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.

Most noted for the establishment of Alaska in the 1880s and 1890s, the Revenue Cutter Service played a major role in bringing reindeer to the area as a food source. After which, the reindeer and crews of the Revenue Cutter Service were part of a relief expedition to assist trapped whalers who were starving. During the 1900 Snake River Gold Rush, the service also worked to return destitute gold miners to Seattle from Alaska. Since that time, the U. S. Coast Guard has grown into an organization known for life saving rescues and services around the country.




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