USRC Vigilant: History, Patrols, Crews

Commissioning

The USRC Vigilant was one of the first ten revenue cutters (hence the RC in the “USRC” acronym) authorized by the infant United States Congress to patrol the coasts of the new nation in August 1790. The 10 cutters were to be fast enough to overtake ships at sea, able to endure foul weather off the coast and be able to pursue ships up rivers, but was not to cost more than $1,000.

The Vigilant was the first member of the Revenue Cutter service (later the U.S. Coast Guard) to be launched, but not the first to be commissioned. Built in New York, she was launched in March 1791 and commissioned later that year. Patrick Dennis served as the master for the cutter from October 1790, oversaw her construction and served as her commanding officer until he died in February 1798.

Underway

After her commissioning, the Vigilant was homeported in New York. She was on active duty by late 1791, when the first recorded mention of her was made. On Dec. 23, 1791, she boarded a British Royal Navy schooner as it entered the Port of New York. With each of the schooners tasked with protecting a major American port along the eastern seaboard, as well as inland rivers and lakes, the Vigilant spent most of her career around New York City. Existing records show that she traveled up the Hudson River as far as Albany and traveled up and down the coast of New York and New Jersey. One report said she covered the area “through Hell Gate to Long Island Sound except Sagg Harbor.”

Since the tiny Continental Navy was disbanded after the Revolutionary War was won, the fledgling United States had no naval protection from foreign powers. This was a major weakness in the 1790s, with the navies of the United Kingdom and the new French Republic doing battle around the globe. Both nations were not above stopping American-flagged vessels, taking their cargo or impressing members of their crew; as a result, the Vigilant and her sister cutters were tasked with protecting American ships whenever possible.

In the summer of 1793, the Vigilant became an indirect participant in a naval battle between the British and French. The Royal Navy frigate Boston intercepted the Vigilant in the waters off New York and ordered her to heave to. The Vigilant, much smaller than the British vessel, complied. The Boston, then flying French colors and wearing French revolutionary clothing, attempted to pass themselves off as a French ship. The Vigilant’s Capt. Dennis, unimpressed by the show, told the Boston’s Capt. Cortnay—in French—that he thought their vessel looked a great deal like an English frigate. At this time, Cortnay revealed his true identity and demanded to know whether any French vessels were in New York harbor.

Dennis informed the British captain that the French frigate Ambuscade was currently in port; Cortnay then requested Dennis inform that Ambuscade’s commander that the Boston was waiting in the waters off New York and intended to do battle with her. Dennis agreed and returned to New York City, meeting the captain of the Ambuscade at a coffee house and delivering the message. The Ambuscade promptly left port, confronted the Boston and damaged her severely in combat, killing Cortnay in the process. The Ambuscade then returned to New York.

Decommissioning

In less than a decade, the Vigilant was deemed too small and insufficiently armed to perform her duties in the busiest port in the United States. On Nov. 14, 1798, she was sold for less than £ 350.

Career:

Name: Vigilant
Operator: Revenue Cutter Service
Launched: March 1791
Commissioned: 1791
Decommissioned: 14 November 1798
Fate: Sold, 14 November 1798

General characteristics

Displacement: 35 Tons
Length: 48 ft (15 m) (keel)
Beam: 17 ft (5.2 m)
Draft: 6 ft 6 in (2.0 m)
Complement: 4 officers
Crew: 4 crewmen, 2 boys
Armament: Probably ten muskets with bayonets; twenty pistols; two chisels; one broad axe.

Timeline:
August 1790: USRC Vigilant ordered
March 1791: USRC Vigilant launched
1791: USRC Vigilant commissioned
December 1791: USRC Vigilant makes first recorded boarding
1793: USRC Vigilant arranges battle between British frigate HMS Boston and French frigate Ambuscade
November 1798: USRC Vigilant decommissioned and sold

Links:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/USRC_Vigilant

To receive a FREE Mesothelioma Web information packet** or to make a request, please fill out the following form :

**For a FREE information packet including treatments, clinical trials, and specialists, please complete the form above or call a Mesothelioma Web coordinator at 1-877-367-6376.

News

Resources

This site complies with the HONcode standard for trustworthy health information: verify here