COAST GUARD. The coast-guard service of Great Britain was originally established as a means of revenue protection, but was reorganized and transferred to the Admiralty in 1856. It now partakes of the character of a naval reserve, life saving, and signal service in addition to its du ties in connection with the customs. It is under the control of the Admiral Superintendent of Naval Reserves, who has a captain in the navy as his assistant. The coasts of the United Kingdom are divided into nine districts—Hull, Harwich. Newhaven. Holyhead, Leith, Clyde, Limerick, and Kingstown—each presided over by the captain of the coast-guard station ship of the district. which vessels are usually old - type armorelads, though in 1901 two of them were pro tected cruisers. In addition there were (in 1901) eleven gunboat cruisers of 461 to 810 tons, seven small steam cruisers of 300 to 520 tons, five sail ing cruisers (tour yawls, one cutter) of 120 to 131 tons, five sailing cruisers (cutters) of 70 tons, and seven sailing cruisers (cutters) of 70 to 60 tons. The districts are subdivided into 81
divisions in charge of inspecting officers consisting at present of 32 commanders, 36 lieutenants, and the remainder of subordinate eoast-guard officers. The divisions are divided into 23S stations, each in charge of a chief officer who is about equal in rank to a warrant officer. The coast between sta tions is patrolled at all times, day and night, and means of signaling to vessels is kept ready for instant service. The regulations of entry vary from time to time, but the men are all good-con duct men who have completed a long term of ser vice in the navy and are not above a certain age. According to the budget of 1901-02, the number of commissioned officers attached to the coast guard service is SO, exclusive of officers regularly serving on board the vessels of the navy acting as station ships and gunboats. There are also 238 chief officers of stations and 3873 petty officers and seamen, making a total of 4200 persons.