The War in Real Time: Vigilant Captures the Dart 200 Years Ago Today-- Part 1

From the U.S. Coast Guard site, Revenue Cutter Vigilant.

Two hundred years ago today, the U.S. Revenue Cutter Vigilant captured the British privateer Dart off Rhode Island.

The U.S. Revenue Service, the forerunner of the U.S. Coast Guard, was just 22 years old when the War of 1812 began. The revenue cutter Vigilant was one of its newest ships and the third ship to carry the name.

It was built and equipped by shipbuilder Benjamin Marble of Newport, Rhode Island, for $8,500.

The revenue service bought it August 21, 1812, and the ship was noted for its quickness, maneuverability and was lightly manned with just a crew of seventeen.

--Brock-Perry