<P> While the modern Coast Guard was created by the merger of the United States Revenue Cutter Service and the United States Lifesaving Service in 1915 , its roots go back to the early days of the Republic . Secretary of the Treasury Alexander Hamilton lobbied Congress to authorize a small fleet of vessels to enforce tariffs ( an important source of revenue for the new nation ) . On 4 August 1790 ( now recognized as the Coast Guard 's official birthday ) , Congress passed the Tariff Act , permitting the construction of ten cutters and the recruitment of 100 revenue officers . From 1790 , when the Continental Navy was disbanded , to 1798 , when the United States Navy was created , these `` revenue cutters '' were the country 's only naval force . </P>
<P> While the modern Coast Guard was created by the merger of the United States Revenue Cutter Service and the United States Lifesaving Service in 1915 , its roots go back to the early days of the Republic . Secretary of the Treasury Alexander Hamilton lobbied Congress to authorize a small fleet of vessels to enforce tariffs ( an important source of revenue for the new nation ) . On 4 August 1790 ( now recognized as the Coast Guard 's official birthday ) , Congress passed the Tariff Act , permitting the construction of ten cutters and the recruitment of 100 revenue officers . From 1790 , when the Continental Navy was disbanded , to 1798 , when the United States Navy was created , these `` revenue cutters '' were the country 's only naval force . </P>
who helped in the creation of the coast guard
who helped in the creation of the coast guard
Secretary of the Treasury Alexander Hamilton
Secretary of the Treasury Alexander Hamilton