Fun Fact #404

 Fun Fact #404

The Mighty USRC

    In 1790 The newly formed United States of America needed to cut costs, deciding to disband The Continental Navy. Yet as they were selling the ships off Secretary of the Treasury Alexander Hamilton suggested they keep some semblance of a service around, at least to enforce tariffs and prevent smuggling. Congress agreed and set up “The United States Revenue Cutter Service (UNRC)” under the Department of the Treasury. It was the only US Maritime service until the Formation of the US Navy 10 years later. 

At first only 10 Cutters were commissioned, with Seven Masters who were hand picked by President George Washington to oversee the ships from 7 home ports. The assigned Captains of each vessel were in charge of their Vessel’s construction/operations and given only vague orders “To seize vessels and goods… for breaches of the Revenue laws". This was later found to give them the ability to interpret (Judicial), enforce (Executive), and even alter laws to some extent as needed (Legislative)  making them perhaps the most powerful --from an Authority standpoint-- of any of the US Agencies to have existed. Due to the fact they were the only Federal authorities on the water, the Cutters quickly became embroiled in situations far beyond their original intent. From Pirates at Brenton Island to preventing The Hattian Revolutions they saw and were involved in it all.

The USRC Pickering