By Emory Smith
Hi Folks,
With the celebration of the 250th anniversary of the United States of America underway, here’s a little Coast Guard history for you!
The United States Coast Guard traces its origins to August 4, 1790, when President George Washington signed the Tariff Act to establish the Revenue-Marine.
Conceived by Treasury Secretary Alexander Hamilton, this small fleet of 10 cutters was designed to enforce customs laws, combat smuggling, and secure essential maritime revenue for a nation buried in post-Revolutionary War debt.
Because the Continental Navy had been disbanded, these cutters served as the young republic’s only armed force afloat until the modern U.S. Navy was created in 1798.
Over the 19th century, the service expanded its duties from strict law enforcement to include environmental protection, mapping the coastline, and defending the nation in conflicts like the War of 1812 and the Civil War.
The modern identity of the service took shape in 1915, when Congress merged the Revenue Cutter Service with the U.S. Life-Saving Service to officially create the United States Coast Guard. This historic merger united a fierce military and law enforcement tradition with a dedicated humanitarian mission of coastal search and rescue.
The service grew further by absorbing the U.S. Lighthouse Service in 1939 and the Bureau of Marine Inspection and Navigation in 1946, cementing its role as the premier authority on maritime safety and navigation.
Today, operating under the Department of Homeland Security during peacetime and capable of transferring to the Department of the Navy during war, the Coast Guard stands as a unique branch of the U.S. Armed Forces that simultaneously saves lives, protects the environment, and defends global maritime borders.
Have a Happy and safe 4th, and remember…
As Sherrie says, “Safe Boating is no accident!”
If you would like to learn more about vessel safety checks, please contact Steve Hults, Staff Officer for Vessel Examinations at steve.hults@uscgaux.net
Please contact us for more information about our safe boating classes or learning more about getting involved in the Auxiliary, check out our website at www.uscgaux.net follow us on FaceBook @ Apalachee Bay Flotilla 12 or contact our Flotilla Commander Phil Hill at pnkkhill2000@yahoo.com
The Coast Guard Auxiliary is the uniformed civilian volunteer component of the U.S. Coast Guard and supports the Coast Guard in nearly all mission areas. The Auxiliary was created by Congress in 1939. For more information, please visit www.cgaux.org.