Alexander Hamilton (January 11, 1755 or 1757 – July 12, 1804)

On August 4, 1790, the first U.S. Congress authorized
the construction of 10 vessels to patrol U.S. ports from
Massachusetts to Georgia.

The United States Coast Guard took form in this small
fleet of “cutters”—fast-moving, speedy sailboats—
tasked with intercepting marine smugglers and the
collecting of tariffs on imported goods.

It’s the brainchild of Alexander Hamilton, the first U.S.
secretary of the treasury under President George
Washington.

Originally called the “Revenue Marine” and then the
“Revenue Cutter Service,” the Coast Guard was one
of Hamilton’s many bold ideas for funding the U.S.
federal government, which was mired in debt after
the costly Revolutionary War.