New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1903-10-25
REVENUE CUTTER SERVICE A COASTGUARD NAVY
IMPORTANT DUTIES DEFOLVE ON MEN OF THESE
VFSSELS-HOW EMERGENCIES HAVE BEEN NET.

brought TO the attention OF the government that
eight whaling vessels. having on board about 295
persons. icebound and the crews In danger of
starvation lonely Point Barrow. in the Arctic
Ocean. The revenue cutter Bear had just returned
from six months cruise in Arctic waters, but her
officers and volunteered to return with relief
for the whalers Lieutenant d. II. Jarvis offered to
lead the overland expedition. which was 20 carry
emergency supplies 10 the whalers and drive in a
herd OF reindeer fer their until the Bear
could push her way through the ice. The cruise
lasted ten months. and was In every way success
full. The officers who formed the overland eXpedi-
ton suffered end OF harenhip before reaching
Point Barrow. but they did Dot fail to carry out
single order.
1t was in recognition of his services on this over
land trip that President Roosevelt appointed Lieu
tenant Jarvis collector OF customs for the District
OF Alaska At the end OF mis- OF service he Will
resums his old rank in the Revenue Cutter service
Both him and TO Lieutenant Bertholf gold
medals were awarded by Congress.
From 1899 to 1901 the rush of gold seekers 20 the
Yukon forced the service to establish Yukon
station. and the stern wheeled steamer Nunivak
built at San Francisco for the purpose. She
was tOwed 1000 miles to St Michael by the cutter
Rush. and the trip was attended with many dan
She is craft OF $50 2O9 feet long 35 feet
beam, and draws Az feet Of water. She has
speed OF twelve knots in still water. and IS armed
with one-pounder Driggs-Schroeder rapid fire
rifles. 1t was a most irksome duty which fell to
to spend the long months OF a semi-Arctic winter
the vessel
Winter headquarters were established on the Dali
River, and the post was called Fort Shoemaker in
honor Of Captain Charles F. Shoemaker. the
present chief Of the Revenue Cutter Service. The
first winter there trouble with the men,
who had absorbed the gold fever and objected TO
cutting frewood when they had enlisted seamen.
A clubhouse and gymnasium were erected on shore
and did much to keep them contented.
The Nunivak was of much service in enforcing
law and order along the river, in rendering assist
ance to vessels. caring for povertystricken pros
pectors and in enforcing a quarantine at St
Michael In 1902 the need Of steamer was cot
great. and at the end OF the summer she laid
up on the beach at St Michael.
One result OF this Yukon expeFinent which is
Of lasting benefit is detailed report from Lieuten-
ant ]. C Cantwell, who commanded. Il forms
volume Of 800 pages profusely illustrated with
most interesting chapters on Alaskan life, eco
nonnic, social and chronological conditions.
There a time when the officers OF the ser
vice came mostly from Annapolis. They were
who had completed the six year course, but were
honorably discharged from the naval service be-
cause OF lack OF vacancies in the navy. They be-
third heutenants in the Revenue Cutter Ser
vice Since 1894 however. the navy has needed
every cadet graduated and the training ship Chase
was recommissioned. The following year the
Chase was enlarged and the cadet system reor-
gained by advancing the standard OF examina-
ton At present they require that educational
q3irements must be practically complete prior to
appointment. thus leaving the probationary term
OF two years open for instruction in the technical
branches Of the profession. The practice ship is
on cruise for seven months OF the year; four
months there IS instruction in port and the re-
manning month the cadets have leave. AT the end
OF two years, passing examinations, they be-
come third lieutenants
The grade OF assistant engineer is filed by COM
petitive examination. AT least six months prac-
teal experience with marine engineering on sea-
going vessels is required before appointment Most
Of the young who enter this branch Of the
service graduates Of the leading technical
schools Of the country.
The revenue feet consists OF forty-two vessels.
divided into four classes, OF which eleven are in
the first class. They carry a total Of ninety-four
guns The largest vessel Of the fleet is the cutter
Mohawk, nearing completion at Richmond Va She
will have gross tonnage OF 9S5 tons length 2o5
feet beam 30 feet. The Gresham, Manning AL
gonquin and onondaga Of similar type The
feet will probably be increased within the next
few years. The service has already been extended
Porto Rico. and VIII doubtless go to the Philip
pines as, soon as the War Department gives over
control.
An interesting service. OF which the public might
well know more than it does. must be the verdict
II as as Captain Shoemaker sums It UP: "A coast
guard navy, the navy proper is an ocean navy;
the polices the coast and the other the ocean"