The USRC Grant was a distinctive three-masted revenue cutter constructed between 1870 and 1871 by the Pusey & Jones Corporation in Wilmington, Delaware, at a cost of $92,500. Notably, it was one of the few three-masted cutters in service, featuring an iron hull that contributed to its durability and seaworthiness. The vessel officially entered service on January 19, 1872, assigned initially to the New York station under Revenue Captain George R. Slicer. She primarily operated along the Atlantic coast, from Block Island Sound to the Delaware River, for over two decades. Physically, the Grant was a tall ship with three masts, designed for long-range patrols and escort duties, capable of carrying out her mission of preventing smuggling and aiding shipping. She was involved in notable events, such as ferrying President Ulysses S. Grant's wedding party in 1874, and hosting high-profile visitors including Queen Kapiolani of Hawaii and Prince Devanwongse of Siam. The vessel also participated in the 1889 Great Naval Parade in New York Harbor and was present at the launching of USS Maine. In 1893, she was withdrawn from Atlantic service and refitted for operations in the Pacific, arriving at Port Townsend in 1894 after a 73-day voyage that included stops in the Caribbean, South America, and the West Coast. Grant then operated along the Pacific Northwest, protecting fisheries and assisting whaling ships, until she was placed under Navy control at the outbreak of the Spanish-American War in 1898. During her wartime service, she patrolled the Pacific coast and participated in search operations, such as seeking the lost HMS Condor in 1902. Significantly, Grant became the first U.S. revenue cutter fitted with a wireless telegraph in 1903, enhancing her communication capabilities. She continued her peacetime patrols until her last cruise in 1906, after which she was sold and transitioned into merchant service. Her subsequent career included serving as a fishing steamer and participating in rescue operations, until she wrecked on Banks Island in 1911. The USRC Grant remains a notable example of late 19th-century naval architecture and maritime service, bridging the era of traditional tall ships and modern coast guard operations.

This description has been generated using GPT-4.1-NANO based on the Vessel's wikidata information and then modified by ShipIndex.org staff.