The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1861-01-14
THE UNITED STATES REVENUE CUTTER
SERVICE

TO THE EDITOR OF THE HERALD.
BROOKLYN, Jan. 8, 1891.
There is considerable hue and cry in the papers about
there not being any available vessels Of light oraught,
which the President could order to Charleston should no
desire do This is unnecessary there less
than eight cutters scattered along the coast FROM
Norfolk, Va Easport, Me- These vessels range from
one hundred and fifty to six hundred tons, and If
and equipped allowed by tho Revenue act Of
1899, would render good service when called upon. The
law referred to allows "seventy men, including
non commissioned officers gunners, and marines -
but at present none Of them, exccp. the
Harriet Lane, which has her complement
board has more than fifteen twenty attached
There would be difficulty in getting full for the
whole of them in a very short time If government de-
Sired there plenty Of unemployed at pre-
sent. If these cutters fully armed and Manned the
government would have at it's command eight handy
sels Of light draught carrying twer guns and
Eve hundred and sixty This is force of ordi-
nary account in these squaly times, and there
why these cutters should not be ordered TO the
Brooklyn Navy Yard to Ut out at once. Even If they
not needed, there would be no harm dohe to have
them armed and manned the law allows. II would at
least, give employment to few OF mechanics and
seamcn which of ITSELF during these hard times would
justify the government in putting the vessels in
trim In 1882 General Jackson sent fleet Of eight
revenue cutters TO Charleston and employed them against
the nulners with good effect. Why should they be
used now as they were them III the cutter William
Aiken at Charleston, had been armed ana man
ned she should have been, the lieu tenants could
have made resistance against her ratorous captain
and those who assisted him, placed The vessel under
Major Andersons guns at Fort sumter, and saved the
United states the disgrace Of having had its public arm
ed cruisers captured by the revolutolsts. No delay
should be permitted in attending 10 putting the
cutters in condition for service that their would
have time to be exercised at the guns before being called
upon for active duty.
The following Is list OF the cutters referred
TO above They all sailing vessels schooner rigged
except the Harriet Lane, which is a steamer
Duane, Captain Evans stationed az Norfolk, Va, and
almost new wee sci.
Philip Allen, Captain Sands, stationed at Baltimore
Nd, and almost n vessel.
Forward, Captain Nones stationed at Wilmngtcp Del
old vessel, AMI carries two guns
Harriet Lane Cay ain Eaunce stationed ut New York,
Is ship, propelled by steam, carries four - pound
nahgrcen side guns with long - pound pivot gun for
ward and full crew.
James Campbell, Captain Clarke, stationed at New
London Conn. nearly new carries " pound pivot
gun, and is pierced for four side guns
Morris, Captain Whitcomb stationed at Boston, is an
I'D vessel and carries two II pofnd guns.
Caeb Cushing Captain Walden stationed at Portland,
Me hull in good condition, IL pierced for four side guns
anu could carry pivot gum but only has u FOUNDER
on board.
Jackson, Captain Carson, stationed at Eastport Me-,
huh good; carries Two Il pound guns and good name