Patriots Point recognized a branch of the United States’ armed services that they believe receives inadequate exposure and recognition – the U.S. Coast Guard. On August 4th, the U S Coast Guards’s Birthday, a USCG free symposium aboard the U.S.S. Yorktown served as a historical and honorary celebration to its rich maritime combat history, marking its 228th year of ‘safety, security and stewardship.’
The USCG’s personnel consisted of 140,000 servicemen during the peak of World War II. Today there are approximately 40,000 servicemen and women actively serving.
“The Coast Guard is responsible for so many roles in the defense of our country,” said Mac Burdette, Patriots Point Naval & Maritime Museum executive director Mac Burdette. “They rarely get the credit they deserve… These men and women are truly our neighbors.”
USCG history
- Aug. 4, 1790 – President George Washington signs the Tariff Act that authorizes the construction of 10 vessels, referred to as “cutters,” to enforce federal tariff and trade laws and to prevent smuggling. The Revenue Cutter Service expanded in size and responsibilities as the nation grew.
- 1915 – The Revenue Cutter Service merges with the U.S. Life-Saving Service, and is officially renamed the Coast Guard, making it the only maritime service dedicated to saving life at sea and enforcing the nation’s maritime laws.
- 1939 – President Franklin Roosevelt orders the transfer of the Lighthouse Service to the Coast Guard, putting it in charge of maritime navigation.
- 1946 – Congress permanently transfers the Commerce Department’s Bureau of Marine Inspection and Navigation to the Coast Guard, putting merchant marine licensing and merchant vessel safety in its control.
- 1967 – The Coast Guard is transferred to Department of Transportation.
- 2003 – The Coast Guard is again transferred, this time to the Department of Homeland Security, where it currently serves.
- Patriots Point Naval & Maritime Museum is located in Mount Pleasant SC at the mouth of the Cooper River on the Charleston Harbor, across from Charleston. For more information on Charleston SC, please contact The Brennaman Group – 843.345.6074 – bob@charlestonproperty.net
