The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1894-10-23
BAKING POWDER.
WHAT THE REVENUE oUTrBRsDo
A Branch of the Government servics
That Few People Understand.

Very few people, comparatively, know
much more about the revenue marine
branch of the government service than
that such thing exists. 1t is pretty well
known that the revenue cutter is an
armed vessel, though just what its duties
are but one in great many can tell.
The service is not large one. 1t COM
prises thirty-four vessels carrying a com
plement of 222 officers and 1852 men. 1t is
part of the government service under
Ihe control of the treasury department.
In time of war it becomes A part of the
naval force. The duties of the service,
besides acting as patrol of the coast
ana inland waters bordering on other
governments, are to enforce a compli-
ance by the merchant marine with the
navigation laws backing up the steam
Doat inspection service.
one OF the greatest services that II
renders is the assistance of vessels in
dlstress. During last year 119 vessels in
peril were aided. The value of propertv.
the vessels and cargoes, thus assisted,
was very close to $1,000, 600. The number of
people on these vessels, who might have
peen lost, was 945 OF this number 20
from drowning.
The service keeps watchful eve on the
coasts, where smuggling is likely to be
carried on, and in that way the customs
service of the government is protected
and thousands of dollars saved by pre-
venting the bringing in of contraband
goods.
The protection of the seal islands in the
Berlng sea and the waters of the Alaska
territory and the enforcement of the
modus Vivendi with Great Britain also
deVolves upon the revenue marine sery-
ice and was performed last year by the
cutters Rush, Corwin and Bear in con
junction with the Mohican. Petrol Ban
gor and Albatross of the navy This is
one OF the most important duties that
has devolved upon the service and has
called for the exercise of great judgment
and discretion on the part of its officers.
The patrol of the great lakes between
the United States and Canada, an ex-
tremely hazardous service at times, par
tlcularly in the winter when navigation
OF merchant vessels is suspended
In times of disaster the revenue cut
tiers render whatever aid they can in
whatever direction is needed. In the
August hurricane, a year ago, the Bout
well, al this station, rendered most eff
ficient aid in carrying supplies and in re-
leving the distress of the sufferers
among the South Carolina sea islands.
Other vessels rendered similar service
later on in the Mississippi sound.
Another and special duty with which the
service is charged is the enforcement of
the act of congress, regulating the an
chorage of vessels in the bay and harbor
of New York. Nearly 800 vessels were
found last year anchored in violation of
these regulations.
Material assistance is also given the
life saving service. Last year over 1000
miles of coast were patrolled for the pur-
pose of transporting boats, stores and
supplies. In epidemics cutterc stationed on
the gulf and South Atlantic coasts rem
der assistance to the marine hospital ser
Nce in preventing the importation and
spread of epidemic diseases.
These are only part of the duties
to which the revenue marine feet is as
signed, and which it performs with a f.
deity and efficiency that has made the
service one of the most honorable in the
government The officers of the cutter
Boutwell, at this port are among the ablest
and the service they render on the Geor-
gia, Florida, and South Carolina coasts is
a most valuable one.
The control of the service is vested d.
rectly in the Secretary of the Treasury,
whose communications reach the COM
handing officer of the vessel in most in
stances through the collector of the port
at which the vessel makes its headquar-
tiers.