USRC Forward (1882)
Encyclopedia
The USRC Forward was a revenue cutter constructed for the U.S. Revenue Cutter Service in 1882 by Pusey & Jones shipyard in Wilmington, Delaware
. The iron-hulled vessel originally cost $72,750 and was powered by a 2-cylinder steam engine with 2 screws. She was named in honor of Walter Forward
, 15th Secretary of the Treasury.
Although the Forward was considered a model ship at the time of its construction, it was severely underpowered and had unreliable machinery. The cost of repairs in the first 15 years of operation was $52000. Her homeport from 1882 to 1887 was Mobile, Alabama
where she patrolled the Gulf of Mexico
enforcing customs laws and assisting mariners in distress. After undergoing repairs in 1890 she was transferred to Key West, Florida
. In 1898, Charleston, South Carolina
was homeport until she returned to Key West in 1904. One cruise was made to Havana, Cuba in 1905 and afterwards she returned once more to Key West to serve until decommissioned in 1912.
Wilmington, Delaware
Wilmington is the largest city in the state of Delaware, United States, and is located at the confluence of the Christina River and Brandywine Creek, near where the Christina flows into the Delaware River. It is the county seat of New Castle County and one of the major cities in the Delaware Valley...
. The iron-hulled vessel originally cost $72,750 and was powered by a 2-cylinder steam engine with 2 screws. She was named in honor of Walter Forward
Walter Forward
Walter Forward was an American lawyer and politician. He was the brother of Chauncey Forward.-Biography:...
, 15th Secretary of the Treasury.
Although the Forward was considered a model ship at the time of its construction, it was severely underpowered and had unreliable machinery. The cost of repairs in the first 15 years of operation was $52000. Her homeport from 1882 to 1887 was Mobile, Alabama
Mobile, Alabama
Mobile is the third most populous city in the Southern US state of Alabama and is the county seat of Mobile County. It is located on the Mobile River and the central Gulf Coast of the United States. The population within the city limits was 195,111 during the 2010 census. It is the largest...
where she patrolled the Gulf of Mexico
Gulf of Mexico
The Gulf of Mexico is a partially landlocked ocean basin largely surrounded by the North American continent and the island of Cuba. It is bounded on the northeast, north and northwest by the Gulf Coast of the United States, on the southwest and south by Mexico, and on the southeast by Cuba. In...
enforcing customs laws and assisting mariners in distress. After undergoing repairs in 1890 she was transferred to Key West, Florida
Key West, Florida
Key West is a city in Monroe County, Florida, United States. The city encompasses the island of Key West, the part of Stock Island north of U.S. 1 , Sigsbee Park , Fleming Key , and Sunset Key...
. In 1898, 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...
was homeport until she returned to Key West in 1904. One cruise was made to Havana, Cuba in 1905 and afterwards she returned once more to Key West to serve until decommissioned in 1912.