The Coast Guard

Hi Puzzlers,

Since last week’s post on lighthouses I have been quizzing everyone to see if they know what ancient lighthouses were called, and no one knows. Look out Who Wants To Be A Millionaire; here we come with the answer to the million dollar question. “What were ancient lighthouses called? Pause, breath deep and answer slowly. “Ancient lighthouses were called Pharos.” Yahoo, we win! This post also brought to my attention another interesting fact, (which was discovered while researching lighthouses), the Lighthouse Act of 1789. This act would serve as a catalyst for the formation of our National Guard.

The Lighthouse Act of 1789 was passed to extend Federal control of lighthouses. Prior to this act, lighthouses were governed by the state. Under Federal guide a six-cent-per-ton duty was charged to all commerce vessels. This revenue would be used to maintain lighthouses, beacons and navigational equipment. It would also serve to support hospitals for disabled sailors and corresponding institutions.

A “Grand Committee” was formed to handle lighthouse maintenance, ship registration and duty collection. To dissuade smugglers looking for ways to avoid paying import tariffs, Alexander Hamilton devised a plan. He recommended to Congress that 10 Cutters (armed vessels) could be used to guide ships to ports of entry. In 1790 the office of the Revenue Marine was formed.

One of the primary components of the Cutters duties was to support and assist as necessary, “for the protection of lives and property at sea.” This life saving aspect continues to personify and define the present day Coast Guard. Hamilton advised all Revenue Marine Captains to “always keep in mind that [their] countrymen are freemen.” These words and their underlying message of honor, respect and devotion to duty, would serve to form the basis of the Coast Guard’s set of core values.

Through its history the Revenue Marine would be known by several different names including the Revenue Cutter Service, the Lighthouse Service, the Lifesaving Service and the Steamship Inspection Bureau before being incorporated into the U.S. Coast Guard on July 1, 1939. Because of the Coast Guard’s lineage with the Revenue Marine, it is consider the oldest continuously serving armed service force in the United States.

Amazing! Don't you just love topics with rich and intriguing histories?

Happy Puzzling!