Question: what proportion of the british merchant marine fleet was american built

title: History of the United States Merchant Marine
text: In 1790 , federal legislation was enacted pertaining to seamen and desertion . In 1796 , federal legislation regarding Seaman 's Protection Certificates ( also known as Protection papers ) was enacted . Immediately after the Revolutionary War the brand - new United States of America was struggling to stay financially afloat . National income was desperately needed and a great deal of this income came from import tariffs . Because of rampant smuggling , the need was immediate for strong enforcement of tariff laws , and on August 4 , 1790 , the United States Congress , urged on by Secretary of the Treasury Alexander Hamilton , created the Revenue - Marine , later renamed Revenue Cutter Service in 1862 . It would be the responsibility of the new Revenue - Marine to enforce the tariff and all other maritime laws .