USRC Scammel (1791)

History
United States
NameScammel
NamesakeAlexander Scammell, Army Adjutant General
OwnerDepartment of the Treasury
OperatorRevenue-Marine
BuilderJoseph Whipple
Laid down15 February 1791
Launched24 August 1791
Commissioned1791
Decommissioned1798
FateSold 16 August 1798
General characteristics
Displacement51 85/95 tons
Length57.6 ft
Beam15.8 ft
Draft6.5 ft
PropulsionSail
Complement4 officers
Crew4 enlisted, 2 boys
Armament10 muskets, 20 pistols

USRC Scammel was one of the first ten cutters operated by the United States Revenue-Marine (later to become the U.S. Coast Guard). Her original name was Ferret.

Scammel was named by Alexander Hamilton for Adjutant General Alexander Scammell of New Hampshire, but one notes that Hamilton was rather careless about spelling - as were many men of letters of that time. This was the second cutter to receive the name of a Revolutionary hero but with an incorrect spelling (USRC General Green was the first, the correct spelling is Greene).