<Tr> <Th> Ensign (1867) </Th> <Td> </Td> </Tr> <Tr> <Th> Ensign (1868) </Th> <Td> </Td> </Tr> <P> The United States Revenue Cutter Service was established by an act of Congress (1 Stat. 175) on 4 August 1790 as the Revenue - Marine upon the recommendation of Secretary of the Treasury Alexander Hamilton to serve as an armed customs enforcement service . As time passed, the service gradually gained missions either voluntarily or by legislation, including those of a military nature . It was generally referred to as the Revenue - Marine until July 1894, when it was officially renamed the Revenue Cutter Service . </P> <P> The Revenue Cutter Service operated under the authority of the U.S. Department of the Treasury . On 28 January 1915, the service was merged by an act of Congress with the United States Life - Saving Service to form the United States Coast Guard . </P>

Which branch of the service was once known as the revenue marine