are connected by a special
alarm circuit, mainly for use in case of torpedo boat attack.

The _administrative_ system of telephones is used for daily routine
messages. These usually take the form of telephone lines radiating from
a central exchange. In many stations the same lines may be used for
command and administration, or intelligence and command, but at the
larger stations each class of line is kept distinct. (W. B. B.)

COASTGUARD, a naval force maintained in Great Britain and Ireland to
suppress smuggling, aid shipwrecked vessels and serve as a reserve to
the navy. The coastguard was originally designed to prevent smuggling.
Before 1816 this duty was entrusted to the revenue cutters, and to a
body of "riding officers," mounted men who were frequently supported by
detachments of dragoons. The crews of the cutters and the riding
officers were under the authority of the custom house in London, and
were appointed by the treasury. On the conclusion of the war with
Napoleon in 1815 it was resolved to take stricter precautions against
smuggling. A "coast blockade" was established in Kent and Sussex. The
"Ramillies" (74) was stationed in the Downs and the "Hyperion" (42) at
Newhaven. A number of half-pay naval lieutenants were appointed to these
vessels, but were stationed with detachments of men and boats at the
Martello towers erected along the coast as a defence against French
invasion. They were known as the "preventive water guard" or the
"preventive service." The crews of the boats were partly drawn from the
revenue cutters, and partly hired from among men of all trades. The
"coast blockade" was extended to all parts of the coast. The revenue
cutters and the riding officers continued to be employed, and the whole
force was under the direction of the custom house. The whole was divided
into districts under the command of naval officers. In 1822 the elements
of which the preventive water guard was composed were consolidated, and
in 1829 it was ordered that only sailors or fishermen should be engaged
as boatmen. In 1830 the whole service consisted of 50 revenue cutters,
fine vessels of 150 and 200 tons, of the "preventive boats," and the
riding officers. In 1831, during the administration of Sir James Graham,
the service was transferred to the admiralty, though the custom house
flag was used till 1857. After 1840 the men were drilled "in the common
formations," mainly with a view to being employed for the m