Gasoline Motor-boat for Customs Service at Corpus Christi, Texas.

📘 About This Book

This official congressional document from 1913 captures a specific moment in the operational history of United States federal watercraft deployment. Preserving the legislative record of the House Committee on Appropriations, the single-page publication outlines the administrative considerations, financial justification, and logistical planning involved in acquiring and maintaining a specialized gasoline motorboat designated for customs enforcement duties in the coastal waters around Corpus Christi, Texas. As a primary source material, the text sheds light on the modernization of federal maritime patrols during the early twentieth century, reflecting how changing propulsion technologies were formally integrated into border security and revenue collection infrastructure along the Gulf Coast. Researchers of maritime history, naval architecture, and federal governance will find this concise document to be a valuable window into the bureaucratic processes that shaped regional law enforcement and vessel commissioning in the pre-World War I era.

📖 Summary

Gasoline Motor-boat for Customs Service at Corpus Christi, Texas, published in 1913 by the United States Congress House Committee on Appropriations, is a fascinating and concise historical document that offers a unique window into the intersection of early twentieth-century maritime technology, federal law enforcement, and government budgeting. Spanning just a single page, this official congressional document captures the practical legislative deliberations involved in funding and authorizing a specialized vessel to secure America's southern coastal borders. At its core, the text highlights the growing reliance on modern propulsion systems, specifically gasoline-powered engines, as traditional sail and heavy steam watercraft began giving way to faster, more maneuverable motor-boats capable of policing dynamic coastal environments. Corpus Christi, Texas, with its intricate network of bays, shallow waters, and expanding maritime traffic, presented unique challenges and opportunities for federal customs agents tasked with curbing smuggling, monitoring trade, and enforcing federal revenue laws. The document outlines the specific justification for acquiring a dedicated gasoline motor-boat, reflecting the federal government's increasing recognition that law enforcement agencies needed specialized maritime assets to effectively patrol expansive and isolated shorelines. While brief, the text serves as a micro-level case study in the mechanics of public administration and legislative oversight. It illustrates how local operational needs in a specific Texas port translated into federal budget line items and committee reviews. Readers interested in the history of the United States Customs Service will find this publication particularly revealing, as it marks an era of transition when marine architecture was rapidly evolving to meet the demands of government service. Furthermore, the document provides valuable context for enthusiasts of early American boating history, illustrating how recreational and industrial marine innovations were quickly adapted for official state duties. The reliance on gasoline motors represents a pivotal technological shift away from purely manual or wind-driven navigation toward mechanized patrol capabilities. By examining this concise congressional record, readers gain an appreciation for the administrative foundations that supported regional commerce and border security in the early 1900s. Though short in length, the publication encapsulates the meticulous nature of congressional appropriations, where even a single vessel required formal justification, committee scrutiny, and legislative approval. Ultimately, this historical artifact preserves a momentary snapshot of the ongoing partnership between technological progress and federal governance, showcasing how the adoption of the gasoline motor-boat transformed the daily operations of customs enforcement along the Texas Gulf Coast.

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