The Revenue Cut+er Pickering, one of the first ten cutters. 



on lapels, pocket flaps, cuffs, and coat 

 skirts to indicate the rank of sea captain. 

 Other symbols of authority were side arms 

 and a speaking trumpet through which 

 to call orders to the crew and to hail ships 

 to stand by for boarding. 



The mariners (or sailors, as we call 

 them now) also wore their hair in pigtails, 

 which they tarred for protection against 

 the salt water. The traditional broad sail- 

 or's collar was designed to catch drippings 

 from the waterproofed queues. When 

 really dressed up, the mariners sported 

 hard black hats with flat brims and pill- 

 box crowns, but at sea they more likely 

 wore knitted caps both for warmth and for 

 the streamlined effect. Short blue jackets 



with brass buttons, and trousers that were 

 bell-bottomed so they could be easily 

 rolled up or worn over boot tops, 

 probably completed the ancient mariner's 

 uniform. 



However they dressed, one thing sure 

 about the Revenue Mariners — they must 

 have been good sailing and fighting men. 

 They made smuggling less profitable and 

 less popular. For their work they were 

 given increases in pay and subsistence in 

 1793, and again in 1796. Then between 

 1795 and 1801 the 10 original cutters were 

 gradually replaced with 13 larger ships 

 that carried more and heavier guns and 

 bigger crews. The evolution leading to 

 the great, 20th Century Coast Guard was 

 finally underway. 



