Bering Sea Wrecked Military Cutter Mail Steamer 1910 Real Photo Postcard

The U.S. Revenue Cutter *Rush* (USRC *Rush*) was an active vessel of the U.S. Revenue Cutter Service, primarily tasked with enforcing federal law, protecting fisheries, and aiding navigation in Alaskan waters, particularly the Bering Sea. Launched in 1874, the *Rush* played a critical role in asserting American sovereignty and managing natural resources, especially enforcing seal hunting regulations, throughout the late 19th and early 20th centuries. Its service in the challenging Bering Sea environment was vital for the developing Alaska Territory.

This 1911 image captures the *Rush* operating in the treacherous Bering Sea, a region known for its harsh weather and remote conditions. The photograph, taken from the deck of the Mail Steamer *Dora*, underscores the significant maritime traffic in these waters, where commercial vessels like the *Dora* carried mail and passengers, and cutters like the *Rush* maintained order and provided essential federal presence amidst the expanding economic activities in Alaska. The scene reflects the rugged realities of seafaring in the Alaskan frontier during this period.