In 1915, the United States Coast Guard was formed by merging two existing services: the Revenue Cutter Service and the United States Life-Saving Service. This merger was part of an effort to streamline and enhance maritime safety and law enforcement capabilities. Here are the main components and assets of the newly formed Coast Guard at that time:
Revenue Cutter Service: This service was established in 1790 and was primarily responsible for enforcing customs laws, preventing smuggling, and conducting search and rescue operations. The Revenue Cutter Service contributed its fleet of cutters, which were small to medium-sized vessels designed for patrolling and law enforcement duties.
United States Life-Saving Service: Established in 1878, this service was dedicated to saving lives and ships in distress along the coastlines. It operated a network of life-saving stations equipped with small boats and rescue equipment. The personnel from these stations were skilled in rescue operations and contributed their expertise to the new Coast Guard.
Personnel: The merger brought together the personnel from both services, combining their skills and experience in maritime operations, law enforcement, and rescue missions.
Vessels and Equipment: The Coast Guard inherited a variety of vessels from the Revenue Cutter Service, including cutters and smaller boats, as well as the life-saving boats and equipment from the Life-Saving Service. These assets were used for a range of missions, including search and rescue, law enforcement, and maritime safety.
The formation of the Coast Guard in 1915 marked the beginning of a unified maritime service that would grow and evolve to take on additional responsibilities, including environmental protection, icebreaking, and national defense.