New Bern in Craven County, North Carolina — The American South (South Atlantic)
USRC Diligence
Photographed By Thomas Troy, November 1, 2012
1. USRC Diligence Marker
U.S. Reserve Cutter built in N.C. 1791. Ship was commissioned in 1792 by Revenue Marine (now U.S. Coast Guard), ¼ miles west.Erected 1980 by Division of Archives and History. (Marker Number C-67.)
Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in this topic list: Waterways & Vessels. In addition, it is included in the North Carolina Division of Archives and History series list. A significant historical year for this entry is 1791.
Location. 35° 6.262′ N, 77° 2.188′ W. Marker is in New Bern, North Carolina, in Craven County. Marker is at the intersection of East Front Street (Business U.S. 70) and South Front Street, on the right when traveling south on East Front Street. On Eastbound US. 70 Business (East Front Street) at Neuse River Bridge. Touch for map. Marker is in this post office area: New Bern NC 28560, United States of America. Touch for directions.
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker. U.S.C.G.C. Pamlico (here, next to this marker); Battle of New Bern (about 400 feet away, measured in a direct line); Birthplace of Pepsi-Cola (approx. ¼ mile away); Baron Christoph von Graffenried
this page online
Also see . . . USRC Diligence Wikipedia Entry. “Diligence was built at Washington, North Carolina and was based out of New Bern after entering service in the summer of 1792. She transferred to Wilmington in October that same year. Her first commanding officer was William Cooke. In 1793, Benjamin Gardner was appointed as the first mate and James Sandy was appointed as the cutter’s second mate. Little is known about her history during this time other than the fact that she was involved in the San Jose affair of 1793. The San Jose was a Spanish vessel with some gold on board as cargo; she was captured illegally by the French privateer Amiable Margaretta. Cooke and his crew seized the San Jose from the Amiable Margaretta. In 1796 Cooke disappeared and was replaced by John Brown, who served as her commanding officer until the cutter was sold in 1798 for $310. (Submitted on January 6, 2013.)
Photographed By J. J. Prats, November 1, 2012
2. USRC Diligence and USCGC Pamlico Markers
Additional keywords. USRC Diligence
unknown artist; US Coast Guard collection, 19th Cent.
3. A Painting Depicting a USRC Cutter
From the United States Coast Guard website: “This painting purports to illustrate the first cutter named Massachusetts but it incorrectly shows the cutter flying the Revenue ensign and commission pennant, which were not adopted until 1799, well after the first Massachusetts had left service. Nevertheless, the illustration does show those characteristics typical of most of the first few generations of Revenue cutters: a small sailing vessel steered by a tiller, with low freeboard, light draft, lightly armed, and usually rigged as a topsail schooner.”
Credits. This page was last revised on June 16, 2016. It was originally submitted on December 30, 2012, by J. J. Prats of Powell, Ohio. This page has been viewed 482 times since then and 37 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3. submitted on January 6, 2013, by J. J. Prats of Powell, Ohio.
