During his service in the fleet ever man had been thoroughly trained in the use of arms, and in the station watch-house every man had a service rifle, bayonet, revolver, cutlass and tuck-stick, for whose condition he was responsible. The tuck-stick was a stout stick with a crook handle which opened with a twist and revealed a slender steel blade. It was intended to be used firstly as an aid to walking and scrambling over rocks, secondly as a probe for suspected contraband, and thirdly as a weapon in case of an emergency. The full arms on night patrol consisted of the tuck-stick, a six-chambered Service revolver with ten rounds of ball cartridge and a blue light. The men wore a thick, loose fitting flushing jacket over their accoutrements.

All Coastguards carried out rifle drill twice a week and pistol and cutlass drill once. Rifle and pistol firing was carried out annually at the most convenient ranges, records being kept and certain money prizes being given as in the Fleet. (2)

COASTGUARDS and WAR SERVICE

The guardship acted as the depot ship for the tenders and cutters. Most of the cutters had only seven-pounder muzzle loaders as armament and so there was not much opportunity for practice although the men of the cutters were taken on board the guardship from time to time for training.

Partial mobilisation was actually ordered in 1878, 1882 and 1885 resulting from war scares with Russia or France. A test of the efficiency of the Coastguard as a Naval reserve came in 1878 when there was a threat of war with Russia. The Coastguards were embarked in 17 ships and were afloat for 98 days. Although not in action they were rated as having performed their sea-going duties efficiently and there was not one single defaulter on the book of any ship. Their only defect was a tendency to slowness through lack of practice but it was recognized that this could easily be worked up.

When the annual fleet maneuvers were started in 1885 the Coastguard Squadron was mobilized and went to sea. This was a great improvement on the annual cruises. (4)

Chris Thomas is writing a book about the incident and how it affected those involved, and would be delighted to hear from anyone descended from Coastguards or other crew members of 'Vanguard' and her sister ships.
You can email him at:

19th.June 1829.

A very extraordinary smuggling transaction has just occurred in Lough Swilly. A schooner arrived on Saturday the 6th.inst. at Rathmullan, with clearance from Liverpool, as laden with coals. She was boarded by the Coastguard stationed at that place, who left one of their people on board to proceed with the vessel up to Rathmelton, the Port of her destination. On her way up the river a person came on board and told the Coastguard man that the vessel was laden with tobacco, which must be immediately landed; that if he kept quiet he would receive £100, and there was no use in him doing any thing else, as he would be forced to submit. The man, however, attempted to resist, but was immediately seized and secured below; and in the course of a few hours the landing of the whole of the tobacco (supposed to be three or four hundred half-bales) was effected. The Coastguard man was then brought up and sent on shore with a present of 40 or 50s. to drink the Captains health. However on going ashore he immediately informed the party to which he belongs, who to the number of six men immediately proceeded to seize the vessel. In this however they were opposed and beaten off by the crew of the schooner, who subsequently abandoned the vessel and made their escape into the country. In the attack on the schooner one of the coastguard men was wounded with a cutlass in the arm, and one of the crew was stabbed in the breast. The mate of the schooner and one of her people have since been apprehended and lodged in Lifford jail. Of the tobacco, we learn that 96 half-bales have been seized near Strabane. (3)