Custom House Maritime Museum A View of the Museum from Water St.

Seafaring Facts

In 1790, the Revenue Cutter Service was created to ensure collection of import tariffs and commissioned the building of 10 vessels. What was the largest ship?
In 1791, the 55-foot Massachusetts was built in Newburyport. It patrolled the coast for smugglers and escorted merchant ships to the Custom House. The Revenue Cutter Service was one of five federal services that now comprise the U.S. Coast Guard. That's why Newburyport is the official birthplace of the Coast Guard.
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