Happy Birthday to one of the oldest organizations of the federal government and the oldest maritime service, the Coast Guard! While originally known as the Revenue Cutter Service, on August 4, 1790, “Congress authorized Secretary of the Treasury Alexander Hamilton's proposal to build ten cutters to protect the new nation's revenue” (United States Coast Guard 1700-1800 Timeline). The first cutter, or Coast Guard vessel that is at least 65 feet in length with living quarters for the crew, named Massachusetts, was commissioned in 1791, and was not the Coast Guard’s first tie to the Bay State. In 1716, Little Brewster Island in Boston Harbor became home to the first Coast Guard lighthouse built in America, a lighthouse which continues to be used today!
The Coast Guard was established on January 28, 1915 by President Woodrow Wilson, merging the Life-Saving Service and the Revenue Cutter Service. This combined enforcing federal laws, trade, and preventing smuggling with lifesaving missions. The Coast Guard was also made a part of the military forces of the United States.
“In times of peace it operates as part of the Department of Homeland Security, serving as the nation's front-line agency for enforcing the nation's laws at sea, protecting the marine environment and the nation's vast coastline and ports, and saving life. In times of war, or at the direction of the President, the Coast Guard serves as part of the Navy Department.” (United States Coast Guard History Program).
Did you know that the phrase “Get there early to avoid the Rush” was coined due to the success of the Cutter Rush in patrolling the Bering Sea for illegal seal poaching? “Due to the success of these patrols, seal poachers had to conduct their illegal hunts before the cutter arrived. They coined the phrase ‘Get there early to avoid the Rush!’” (United States Coast Guard 1700-1800 Timeline).
Learn more about Coast Guard history on the United States Coast Guard website and Resources for Coast Guard History.