Revenue Cutters And The Early US Coast Guard

السبت، 11 مايو 2019

By Karen Rogers


Originally, a group of revenue cutters and crews merged and established one group of crewman in 1915. The merger took place between the United States Lifesaving Service and the United States Revenue Cutter Service. While this is the case, the roots of the us coast guard go way back to the beginning days of the Republic. For, it was in 1790 in which a fleet of vessels to enforce and collect 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.

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.

Being the only established naval force, the crews took on a number of new responsibilities when the Navy was re-established in the late 1700s. Some of these duties included delivering mail, ferrying government officials, combating privacy and rescuing mariners in distress. As a result, while several cutters stayed on board, others left the service due to these changes in responsibility.

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 organization became known as an agent of environmental protection by participating and voting for the Timber Act. Whereas, during times of civil unrest or war, the cutters and crews were under the guise of the United States Navy. While this is the case, the cutters were only used in the War of 1812 and a quasi-war between France and the United States which took place between 1798 and 1799.

Following the first shots fired by the USRC Harriet during the American Civil War, the cutters were ordered to return to the Atlantic Blockading Squadron on June 14, 1863. After which, a Confederate Revenue Marine force was also formed by crews whom left the Revenue Cutter Service.

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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