U.S. Coast Guard History

The Benton County Historical Museum's Circa 1920 exhibit is continuing in the downstairs gallery.  There are still some stories left to tell about the 1914-1925 era so I will sometimes return to that topic in my posts. 

The flag is the ensign of the United States Coast Guard and shows the seal of the United States in the upper left and the Coast Guard logo on the right.  The U.S. Coast Guard was established in 1915 by legislation merging the Revenue Cutter Service and the Life-Saving Service.  The Revenue Cutter Service, established in 1790, was part of the Treasury Department as its main job was to enforce trade laws and tariffs by stopping smuggling and piracy. Rescuing shipwreck victims had been carried out by volunteers until 1848 when the federal government established a series of stations equipped with boats and other life-saving equipment.  The new organization carried out these functions.  In addition, it was responsible for monitoring iceberg activity and scientific observations on the oceans.

Once the United States entered World War I, the Coast Guard came under the direction of the navy.  It sent ocean-going ships to convoy troops and supplies to Europe while smaller ships patrolled the U. S. coast line.  During the war the coast Guard rescued seamen from sinking ships, moved nine train cars of explosives away from a fire at a rail yard in New Jersey, and delivered medical supplied by dog sled to natives suffering from the influenza epidemic in Alaska.  Also during the 1914-1925 period, the Coast Guard helped to enforce Prohibition by preventing the importation of liquor.  They continued their oceanography research work for the Ice Patrol.

For a more detailed history of the coast guard, visit their web site at https://www.history.uscg.mil/

By Martha Fraundorf, Volunteer for Benton County Historical Society, Philomath, Oregon