Capt Hopley Yeaton (1739-1812) - Find a Grave Memorial

Capt Hopley Yeaton

Birth

1739

New Castle, Rockingham County, New Hampshire, USA

Death

14 May 1812 (aged 72–73)

Lubec, Washington County, Maine, USA

Burial

USCGA Columbarium

New London, New London County, Connecticut, USA Add to Map

Plot

Capt. Yeaton is not in the Columbarium. His is a stand-alone tomb just east of the chapel.

Memorial ID

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A veteran of the Continental Navy, Capt. Yeaton was commissioned, on March 21, 1791, by President George Washington as the first officer in the United States Revenue Marine (the forerunner of the U.S. Coast Guard) - the first sea-going officer commissioned by the fledgling United States of America; his commission was countersigned by Thomas Jefferson. Though the title more properly applies to Alexander Hamilton, Capt. Yeaton is often - with good reason - referred to as "The Father of the Coast Guard." He served as Master of the U.S. Revenue Cutter Scammel. He was originally interred in Lubec, Maine, but when, in 1975, his grave site was threatened by development, the Coast Guard sailed the Barque Eagle to Lubec to retrieve his remains; they now lie at rest on the grounds of the U.S. Coast Guard Academy in New London.