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US Revenue Cutter by Bluejacket

Immediately after the American Revolutionary War the new United States was struggling to stay afloat financially. National income was desperately needed, and the government determined that a great deal of this income would come from import tariffs. Because of rampant smuggling, the need was immediate for strong enforcement of tariff laws, and on the 4th of August 1790, the United States Congress, Urged on by Secretary of the Treasury Alexander Hamilton, created the Revenue-Marine, later renamed the Revenue Cutter Service by act of 31 july 1894.

Under the enabling legislation that authorized the Revenue-Marine, the “System of Cutters”, consisting of ten vessels were initially ordered and constructed. They were to be assigned along the East Coast from New Hampshire to Georgia.

Between 1790 and 1798, the Revenue-Marine was the only armed maritime service of the United States. On 28 January 1915, the service was merged by an act of Congress with the United States Life-Saving Service to form the United States Coast Guard.

Scale: 1/4″ = 1′ (1:48)

Length: 19″