The Seattle post-intelligencer. [volume] (Seattle, Wash. Terr. [Wash.]) 1888-1914, 1900-12-24
FLEET OF REVENUE CUTTERS.
ANNUAL INSPECTION OF MACHIN.
cry by ENGINEER DOYLE.
the War Of the Rebellion and Has
Seen the Fleet ON This Coast
Grow From One to Nine.

James A. Doyle. chief engineer in the
United states revenue cutter service and
assistant on the Pacific coast to the engi-
neer-fn-chief at the national capital, has
completed his annual inspection of the
machinery OF all the cutters under his
control and is preparing his reports on the
results. Mr.. Doyle has been In Seattle
about month. quartered at the Butler
and inspected the machinery, electric and
heating plants Of the Bear, Grant, Rush
and Perry. He has already issued speci-
fications for repairs which he found nee
essary to be made on the Grant and Rush,
and has Just finished specifications for re-
pairs to the machinery of the Bear. These
will be quite extensive. but, as Mr.. Doyle
says, not any more so than could be ex-
pected from the wear and tear Of wears
service. He has already received pro-
posals from several firms for these repairs
and the awards will be made from WASH
ington
Chief Doyle. who has under his charge
the machinery Of the entire feet Of rev.
enue cutters on the Pacific coast, makes
his headquarters In San Francisco, and 10
one OF the most popular and WIDELY
known government ofiicials on the Coast.
Growth Of the Fleet.
II have seen the feet OF the revenue
service on this Coast grow from one old
fashioned boat to the present fleet OF
nine as handsome and serviceable vessels
rs can be fcynd anywhere said MIR.
Doyle at the Butler yesterday.
The revenue cutter Lincoln. long since
sold as old and worn out, was the first
revenue re-. boat TO come TO this coast In
boat came to the Coast In. during 1855
Since then the growth of the population
along the entire Coast has necessitated
increasing the fleet little by little. and
during the last few years there have been
added two OF the finest vessels In the
service, the McCulloch and the Manning.
The McCulloch has a speed OF sixteen
speed, quick service and comfort
The present fleet on this Coast In or
der OF their standing. is as follows:
McCulioch--In San Francisco
"Manning-At present ordered to San
..Rush--In the Seattle harbor
,Perry--At present on the Columbia
'Grant-.Assigned to Puget sound.
Bear-Assigned to Puget sound.
1'hetis--Not assigned. now at San Fran
chinery and repairs are being put on her.
She is a sister ship of the Bear. and
both took part In the Greedy relief ex-
fsrrss T. a,ser r. which they were trans
boat in San Francisco.
..Ts,I San Francisco harbor.
This very effective fleet" continued
MI, Doyle. is ample for all present needs
but 1t Is very likely that other vessels
OF the same class as the Mcculioch and
the Manning VIII have to be added in
the near future. especially IL the growth
In population and the volume OF trade
cade."
Many Years of service.
Mr.. Doyle is an interesting figure in the
history OF the United States revenue SER
vice, which he entered In 1854 during the
civn war. He entered as assistant engi-
neer and was assigned 20 the Cuyahoga.
other vessels of that service co-operated
with the navy in it's movements against
the Confederate cruisers and blockade
sent 10 cruise on the coast of Florida in
search OF the Confederate Cruiser Florida,
owing To casualties and Increase In the
navy and revenue service promotions
were rapid In those days. and Mr. Doyle
was soon promoted. In June. 1866. he was
made chief engineer and ordered 10 the
Wyanda. In which vessel he came 10 the
Pacinc coast. arriving in December, 1885
after a tempestuous voyage lasting Isl
days.
During that trip said Mr.. Doyle. IN
his interesting, reminiscent way. we had
from eight TO Ten OF the most severe gales
OF wind | ever experienced We came
through the Straits OF Magellan. then our
coal gave out and We drtfted almost down
TO Cape Horn. We were twenty-five DAYS
making Tuckawana. the first Chilean port
after leaving the straitsH
MIR Doyle has practically been on the
Coast ever since, although he mas made
two trips 10 the East since then. He was
ordered East Ia 1874 10 superintend put
ting IN the machinery In the old revenue
cutter Rush not the present vessel uf
that name, and he came &c California IA
her. making the voyage in ia days His
last voyage from the East 10 the Coast
was IN the Grant. under Capt n r.
Toxier speaking Of that trip Mr.. Doyle
said:
THAT was the most pleasant and sue.
ceSSrui voyage ! ever made. We did II IN
isa days 70 San Francisco. and we might
have made Il Ia much less time, bu; Capt
Tozier dsd not think II necessary 70 push
the vessel and the result was a most
economical enc frcm coal consumption
standpoint THAT MAS largely due 10 the
excellent management Of the commanding
officers in utiiizlng sail power wherever
practicable. I have the most pleasant
recolleetions Of that entire trip