Jefferson Davis (revenue cutter)
Encyclopedia
The revenue cutter Jefferson Davis was a sailing ship
of the United States Revenue Cutter Service
. Launched in 1853, it was named for Jefferson Davis
, then United States Secretary of War
under President Franklin Pierce
, later president of the Confederate States of America
. The ship was originally built for US$
9,000.
The ship, a topsail schooner, was built by J.M. Hood of Bristol, Rhode Island
. One online Coast Guard source describes it as a 90-plus foot (27-plus meter) vessel with 150 short tons (136.1 t) displacement; exhibit text at the Coast Guard Museum/Northwest describes it as a 94'8
After surviving a hurricane in 1853 with slight damage, the ship put into Charleston, South Carolina
for repairs, then sailed to around Cape Horn
and arrived at San Francisco in July 1854 to serve on the West Coast. Continuing up the coast to arrive in Port Townsend, Washington
September 28, 1854, the Jefferson Davis became the first cutter stationed north of San Francisco.
Under Captain William C. Pease, the Jefferson Davis participated in the suppression of a Native American
uprising in Olympia, Washington
in 1855, during the Puget Sound War
. Later, in Bellingham, Washington
, the entire crew except for the captain deserted to join the Fraser Canyon Gold Rush
. One Coast Guard sources says the Jefferson Davis was converted to a "Marine Hospital Boat" in 1862; other sources (including exhibit text in the Coast Guard Museum/Northwest) say that it was sold that year to Grennan & Craney Co. of Utsalady, Washington
for US$2920. According to one of the latter sources, Grennan & Craney Co. "refitted and sent her to China
, carrying as cargo a flat-bottomed sternwheeler, which was to be supplied with the engines from Tom Wright's old Enterprise, dismantled on the Chehalis
."
Coupeville, Washington
, on Whidbey Island
was named for Captain Thomas Coupe
, once the Jefferson Davis's sailing master.
Sailing ship
The term sailing ship is now used to refer to any large wind-powered vessel. In technical terms, a ship was a sailing vessel with a specific rig of at least three masts, square rigged on all of them, making the sailing adjective redundant. In popular usage "ship" became associated with all large...
of the United States Revenue Cutter Service
United States Revenue Cutter Service
The United States Revenue Cutter Service was established by Secretary of the Treasury Alexander Hamilton in 1790 as an armed maritime law enforcement service. Throughout its entire existence the Revenue Cutter Service operated under the authority of the United States Department of the Treasury...
. Launched in 1853, it was named for Jefferson Davis
Jefferson Davis
Jefferson Finis Davis , also known as Jeff Davis, was an American statesman and leader of the Confederacy during the American Civil War, serving as President for its entire history. He was born in Kentucky to Samuel and Jane Davis...
, then United States Secretary of War
United States Secretary of War
The Secretary of War was a member of the United States President's Cabinet, beginning with George Washington's administration. A similar position, called either "Secretary at War" or "Secretary of War," was appointed to serve the Congress of the Confederation under the Articles of Confederation...
under President Franklin Pierce
Franklin Pierce
Franklin Pierce was the 14th President of the United States and is the only President from New Hampshire. Pierce was a Democrat and a "doughface" who served in the U.S. House of Representatives and the Senate. Pierce took part in the Mexican-American War and became a brigadier general in the Army...
, later president of the Confederate States of America
Confederate States of America
The Confederate States of America was a government set up from 1861 to 1865 by 11 Southern slave states of the United States of America that had declared their secession from the U.S...
. The ship was originally built for US$
United States dollar
The United States dollar , also referred to as the American dollar, is the official currency of the United States of America. It is divided into 100 smaller units called cents or pennies....
9,000.
The ship, a topsail schooner, was built by J.M. Hood of Bristol, Rhode Island
Bristol, Rhode Island
Bristol is a town in and the historic county seat of Bristol County, Rhode Island, United States. The population was 22,954 at the 2010 census. Bristol, a deepwater seaport, is named after Bristol, England....
. One online Coast Guard source describes it as a 90-plus foot (27-plus meter) vessel with 150 short tons (136.1 t) displacement; exhibit text at the Coast Guard Museum/Northwest describes it as a 94'8
After surviving a hurricane in 1853 with slight damage, the ship put into Charleston, South Carolina
Charleston, South Carolina
Charleston is the second largest city in the U.S. state of South Carolina. It was made the county seat of Charleston County in 1901 when Charleston County was founded. The city's original name was Charles Towne in 1670, and it moved to its present location from a location on the west bank of the...
for repairs, then sailed to around Cape Horn
Cape Horn
Cape Horn is the southernmost headland of the Tierra del Fuego archipelago of southern Chile, and is located on the small Hornos Island...
and arrived at San Francisco in July 1854 to serve on the West Coast. Continuing up the coast to arrive in Port Townsend, Washington
Port Townsend, Washington
Port Townsend is a city in Jefferson County, Washington, United States, approximately north-northwest of Seattle . The population was 9,113 at the 2010 census an increase of 9.3% over the 2000 census. It is the county seat and only incorporated city of Jefferson County...
September 28, 1854, the Jefferson Davis became the first cutter stationed north of San Francisco.
Under Captain William C. Pease, the Jefferson Davis participated in the suppression of a Native American
Native Americans in the United States
Native Americans in the United States are the indigenous peoples in North America within the boundaries of the present-day continental United States, parts of Alaska, and the island state of Hawaii. They are composed of numerous, distinct tribes, states, and ethnic groups, many of which survive as...
uprising in Olympia, Washington
Olympia, Washington
Olympia is the capital city of the U.S. state of Washington and the county seat of Thurston County. It was incorporated on January 28, 1859. The population was 46,478 at the 2010 census...
in 1855, during the Puget Sound War
Puget Sound War
The Puget Sound War was an armed conflict that took place in the Puget Sound area of the state of Washington in 1855–56, between the United States Military, local militias and members of the Native American tribes of the Nisqually, Muckleshoot, Puyallup, and Klickitat...
. Later, in Bellingham, Washington
Bellingham, Washington
Bellingham is the largest city in, and the county seat of, Whatcom County in the U.S. state of Washington. It is the twelfth-largest city in the state. Situated on Bellingham Bay, Bellingham is protected by Lummi Island, Portage Island, and the Lummi Peninsula, and opens onto the Strait of Georgia...
, the entire crew except for the captain deserted to join the Fraser Canyon Gold Rush
Fraser Canyon Gold Rush
The Fraser Canyon Gold Rush, began in 1858 after gold was discovered on the Thompson River in British Columbia at its confluence with the Nicoamen River. This was a few miles upstream from the Thompson's confluence with the Fraser River at present-day Lytton...
. One Coast Guard sources says the Jefferson Davis was converted to a "Marine Hospital Boat" in 1862; other sources (including exhibit text in the Coast Guard Museum/Northwest) say that it was sold that year to Grennan & Craney Co. of Utsalady, Washington
Utsalady, Washington
Utsalady is an unincorporated community on the north shore of Camano Island, Island County, Washington, USA. It has an elementary school, part of the Stanwood school system...
for US$2920. According to one of the latter sources, Grennan & Craney Co. "refitted and sent her to China
China
Chinese civilization may refer to:* China for more general discussion of the country.* Chinese culture* Greater China, the transnational community of ethnic Chinese.* History of China* Sinosphere, the area historically affected by Chinese culture...
, carrying as cargo a flat-bottomed sternwheeler, which was to be supplied with the engines from Tom Wright's old Enterprise, dismantled on the Chehalis
Chehalis River
The Chehalis River may refer to:*Chehalis River , in the United States*Chehalis River , in Canada...
."
Coupeville, Washington
Coupeville, Washington
As of the census of 2000, there were 1,723 people, 737 households, and 426 families residing in the town. The population density was 1,346.7 people per square mile . There were 814 housing units at an average density of 636.2 per square mile...
, on Whidbey Island
Whidbey Island
Whidbey Island is one of nine islands located in Island County, Washington, in the United States. Whidbey is located about north of Seattle, and lies between the Olympic Peninsula and the I-5 corridor of western Washington...
was named for Captain Thomas Coupe
Thomas Coupe
Captain Thomas Coupe was a ship's captain and early settler of Whidbey Island.Thomas Coupe was born in New Brunswick, Canada and began going to sea at the age of 12. Coupe sailed the North American Atlantic Coast until the early 1850's. Coupe sailed to the Puget Sound area in 1852 on the sailing...
, once the Jefferson Davis's sailing master.