Created by Congress on 4 August 1790 at the request of Alexander Hamilton the “Revenue Cutter Service,” forerunner of the contemporary United States Coast Guard, is, arguably, the second oldest branch of the United States military — after only the US Army. While the Continental Navy was formed in 1775, it was disbanded in 1785; the modern “United States Navy” was not established until 1794.

As Secretary of the Treasury, Hamilton headed the United States Revenue Service which was charged with collecting taxes. To help fulfill this important duty, Hamilton pushed for passage of the Tariff Act (1790), which authorized the construction of ten cutters, (small single-masted ships) along with the commissioning of 100 “Revenue Officers” to oversee the small flotilla.

The purpose of the early cutter force was twofold: 1) to collect customs taxes while enforcing federal law in the nation’s seaports and 2) to combat acts of piracy worldwide against US shipping. From its outset the Cutter Service performed its work well, quickly earning the respect (or hatred) of many a bootlegger, smuggler, and merchant sailor.

The additional role of “lifesaving” was established when Hamilton began issuing the order to each new master of a cutter to be “always ready” to assist mariners in distress. This charge, Semper Paratus, has since become the motto of the service.

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