USRC General Green (1791) facts for kids
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The USRC General Green was one of the first ten ships built for the United States Revenue Cutter Service. This service was like an early version of the United States Coast Guard. Its main job was to stop smuggling and collect taxes on goods coming into the country. Even though her name was spelled a little differently, the ship was named after Nathanael Greene, a famous hero from the American Revolutionary War.
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The Ship's Story
The General Green was launched, or put into the water for the first time, on July 7, 1791. This happened in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. A shipbuilder named David Price built her. Her home base was in the Delaware Bay, which is a large area of water where the Delaware River meets the ocean.
Who Sailed Her?
The first captain of the General Green was James Montegomery. In 1791, her First Mate (the officer just below the captain) was Isaac Roach, and her Second Mate was Charles Nuttle. The ship had a crew of four officers, four regular crew members, and two cabin boys. Cabin boys were usually young helpers on the ship.
What Kind of Ship Was She?
The General Green was a type of ship called a schooner. This means she had at least two masts (tall poles) with sails that ran along the length of the ship. She weighed about 98 short tons, which is how much water she pushed aside when floating. This is called her displacement.
Her Weapons and Patrols
For defense, the General Green was armed with 10 small cannons, each firing a four-pound cannonball. Her very first patrol, or trip to guard the waters, was also on July 7, 1791. The ship served for several years before being sold in December 1797. Another ship, also named USRC General Green (1797), replaced her. This new ship was built to help the United States Navy during a conflict with France called the Quasi-War.
Other Ships Like Her
The General Green was one of ten similar ships built around the same time. Here are some of the others:
- USRC Vigilant (1791)
- USRC Active (1791)
- USRC Scammel (1791)
- USRC Massachusetts (1791)
- USRC Argus (1791)
- USRC Virginia (1791)
- USRC Diligence (1791)
- USRC South Carolina (1791)
- USRC Eagle (1791)
