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U.S.REVENUE SERVICE CUTTER “EAGLE“ Ca 1812

 

Presented is a finely handcrafted model of one of the first ships of the U.S. Revenue Service which was the predecessor to the U.S. Coast Guard. The model is of solid block construction, and in near new condition. It carries the name "EAGLE" and was built for the Lannan Ship Model Gallery in Boston, MA, and purchased at their auction held at the Newport Yachting Museum in 2008. This is the first time we have offered it for sale. The attention to detail is remarkable, precisely done, and accurate down to the last detail. The two masted full rigged schooner with fore topsail has a black hull and copper sheathed bottom.

It features a gaff rig main with topsail and foremast, with a single foresail. Forward there is a fore stay sail, jib and flying jib. For armament there is a large brass cannon with its carriage on rails, ram rod and extractor. The running rigging, including lazy jacks, and carefully stitched sails, are all authentic and makes this an incomparable model of museum quality a term we do not use lightly. The deck house is varnished, the deck is teak, and cap rail are varnished. There are all kinds of deck gear, large grating covered hatch, fittings including two large fisherman type anchors, an anchor windlass, two bilge pumps, and a proliferation of other deck gear and fittings. 

Large brass cannon mounted to traverse 360° on rail

SPECIFICATIONS: LOA 36 1/2" LOD 23 1/2", Beam 5"   Overall height 32 1/2"    WEIGHT 10 pounds 

PROVENANCE: Purchased at the Lannan Gallery Auction at the Newport Museum of Yachting in 2008.  

BACKGROUND: Immediately after the American Revolutionary War the brand-new United States 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 the Revenue Cutter Service by act of July 31, 1894 (28 Stat. 171). It would be the responsibility of the new Revenue-Marine to enforce the tariff and all other maritime laws. In 1832, Secretary of the Treasury Louis McLane ordered in writing for revenue cutters to conduct winter cruises to assist mariners in need, and Congress made the practice an official part of regulations in 1837. This was the beginning of the lifesaving mission that the later U.S. Coast Guard would be best known for worldwide. Ten Cutters were initially ordered. Between 1790 and 1798, the Revenue-Marine was the only armed maritime service for the United States. Cutter captains were answerable to and received their sailing orders directly from the Customs Collector of the port to which they were assigned.

Large transom with prominent EAGLE stern board

 

WAR OF 1812: In wartime, the Revenue-Marine was placed under the command of the United States Navy, and the cutters themselves often placed into military service. In the War of 1812 against Britain, a Revenue Cutter made the first American capture of an enemy ship. USRC Jefferson was the first to capture a British merchantman, the brig Patriot, in June 1812.

On October 11, 1814, the Revenue Cutter EAGLE encountered the much larger British brigantine Dispatch which was guarding the Suzan, a captured American merchant ship. The EAGLE was badly outgunned by the Dispatch and Captain Frederick Lee beached the Eagle on Long Island to avoid being sunk. Not yet defeated, the Revenue Cutter seamen dragged the guns from the EAGLE and set them up on a 160-foot bluff and continued firing at the Dispatch. When the Americans ran out of cannonballs, they did not surrender, and instead retrieved the cannonballs fired at them by the Dispatch and shot them back at the British. Even after being forced to use the ship's logbook for wadding, the crew of the EAGLE fought on until finally overwhelmed and captured by the British.

EAGLE was also engaged in our Revolutionary War. At some point in 1795, Lynx, fired a shot across the bow of the USRC Eagle. Hendrick Fischer, Eagle's acting captain, attempted to heave-to, but he had on board Senator Pierce Butler, from South Carolina, who ordered him to sail on. Lynx then began to fire continuously as Eagle sailed towards the shoal waters on the north point of Jekyll Island. As Lynx drew too much water to continue the chase, Beresford sent his pinnace and cutter, in charge of Lieutenant Alex Skene, in pursuit. The British quickly overtook the schooner and came on board, demanding to know why it hadn't come about in response to the shots. After learning the schooner was in fact a revenue vessel of the U.S. government, Skene and his men returned to Lynx.

In the ensuing international political furor, Beresford stated that Lynx had been beyond the 12 mile limit and noted that the schooner was not flying any flag. The Eagle had not in fact flown the national ensign; for unexplained reasons it was instead stored in the captain's cabin. Eagle did apparently display some sort of small pennant that was not visible to Lynx

CONDITION: The truck of the model's main mast has been repaired as shown in the picture below. There is a small piece of of brass trim wire that is missing from the stern. Neither item will be noticed by most. Everything else is in perfect condition.

Sharply raked masts with slight bend in main mast

OUR UNCONDITIONAL NO NONSENSE GUARANTEE: If not completely satisfied with your purchase it may be returned, if without damage, within three days of receipt in its original packaging. Return items must be insured for their full value. Only a prior email authorization by us for the return is required. Shipping charges are  included in this offer if the error is due to our fault.  

SHIPPING, INSURANCE & PACKING: This model should be packed professionally for shipping. Please inquire for options. 

International buyers welcome, but must inquire first. We have satisfied customers in Argentina, Australia, Austria, Belgium, Bermuda, British Virgin Islands, Canada, Chile, China, Czech Republic, Democratic Republic of Congo, Denmark, Estonia, England, France, Germany, Greece, Holland, Hong Kong, Hungary, Iceland, Ireland, Israel, Italy, Japan, Kuwait, Latvia, Luxembourg, Martinique, Mexico, New Zealand, Norway, Nova Scotia, Panama, Poland, Portugal, Puerto Rico, Romania, Saudi Arabia, Scotland, Singapore, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, Thailand, Turkey, United Arab Emirates, USVI and the Eastern Caribbean.

ACCEPTED FORMS OF PAYMENT are Bank wire transfer, cashier's check, money order, or personal check in which case the item will be held until cleared. No credit cards or PayPal accepted on this item.

Buy this very special high quality model Now! It is a great find for that special person who can appreciate the finest.

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