When war was declared on England in 1812, the United States' small maritime service faced a powerful navy of 600 warships. At the outbreak of the war, the United States could only muster 16 naval vessels and about a dozen cutters for coastal defense. Despite being vastly outnumbered, revenue cutters were able to seize a number of the enemy's smaller ships and protected American merchant ships from privateers. The capture of the Dart was one of the most impressive captures by a revenue cutter. When the Dart - which had already seized between 20 and 30 American ships -- arrived in Providence with its latest prizes, Captain John Cahoone offered the services of the revenue cutter Vigilant to challenge the enemy vessel. After sunset, the sloop Dart was located off the east end of Block Island. Vigilant fired one broadside and boarded Dart. Actions such as the Vigilant's capture carried on the cutter service's military activities throughout the War of 1812 and helped establish the traditions of today's Coast Guard. (Permission to reprint this work must be obtained from the artist. For information, contact Mary Ann Bader at Mary.A.Bader@uscg.mil.)
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