Birthplace of the United States Coast Guard - Newburyport, MA - Massachusetts Historical Markers on Waymarking.com

The United States Coast Guard was established during the Presidency of George Washington on 4 August 1790 when the first Congress authorized the construction of ten vessels to enforce federal tariff and trade laws and to prevent smuggling. Known earlier as the Revenue Marine and the Revenue Cutter Service, the Coast Guard expanded in size and responsibilities as the nation grew.
The marker is inscribed:

{Image of USS Massachusetts}
Near this site was born
The United States Coast Guard
with the launching of the
USRC Massachusetts July 23, 1791.
Built by William Searle on
commission of President George
Washington during the office
of Alexander Hamilton Secretary
of the Treasury. She was the
first such vessel in the service
of the United States.
The Massachusetts was fifty
feet long and weighed more
than seventy tons. She was the
largest of a fleet of ten cutters
built to guard the Coast Guard
against smugglers.

Dedicated August 4, 1958
by the
Hon. A. Gilmore Flues
Assistant Secretary of the Treasury

Agency Responsible for Placement: Other (Place below) Agency Responsible for Placement (if not in list above): United States Department of the Treasury Year Placed: 1958 County: Essex City/Town Name: Newburyport Relevant Web Site: [Web Link]

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