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Archiver > Mariners > 2004-04 > 1081347855
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Subject: Re: [Mar] William Henry BRAY
Date: Wed, 7 Apr 2004 10:24:15 EDT
David
As far as I know, the Coastguard was taken under full control of the
Admiralty in July 1856, after the Crimean War, with the intention that it would
provide a supply of men for the Navy in times of war, i.e. to act as a reserve.
After this the service was re-organised, with warships being stationed at various
ports acting as depots, and numerous coastguard stations being built around
the coast. Their task was to prevent smuggling; enforcing marine laws and
assisting those in distress around the shoreline. A number of small vessels were
operated which were required to 'cruise diligently' in the area specified.
Stations such as Greencastle would have had a number of men serving there, on
a 24 hour basis I would think.
The rank structure seems complicated, as there were a number of Royal Navy
officers who served in the CG, who retained their naval ranks; the structure
seems to have been aong the lines of -
The coast divided into nine districts (with two in Ireland) with a Captain
(Royal Navy) commanding each from a depot ship
Each district divided into divisions, under an Inspecting Commander
Individual stations commanded by a Chief Officer
Why 'of the Second Class' I do not know, except that there were also 'Naval
Chief Officers' , who seem to be ex-RN officers - presumably the '2nd class'
meant they had not served in the navy.
Basically it would have meant that he was in charge of Greencastle Coastguard
Station, with a number of men under his command, with the tasks mentioned
above.
regards
David
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