That was how the matter was viewed from their side.  But the Government were determined that an evil which had been a great worry for at least a century and a half of English history should be stamped out.  The only way was to make the smuggling unprofitable.  Inasmuch as these men for the most part made their profits through being able to undersell the fair trader (because there were no Custom duties paid) the most obvious remedy would have been to lower the rates of import duties.  But since that was not practicable, the only possible alternative was to increase the dangers and risk to which a smuggler must expose himself.

And instantly the first step, then, must be towards establishing “such a system of discipline and vigilance over the Revenue cruisers and boats as shall give the country the benefit of their constant and active services.”  These smuggling pests must be sought out, they must never be allowed to escape, to laugh defiantly at the Crown’s efforts, and they must be punished severely when captured.  It was therefore deemed by the Treasury that there would be a greater efficiency in these cruisers if “put under naval watchfulness and discipline, controlled by such authority as the Department of the Admiralty may think fit.”

The change came about as stated, and the Admiralty retained in the service those officers and crews of the Revenue cruisers as by length of service and in other ways had shown that they were fit and efficient.  Those, however, who had grown too old for the work were superannuated.  Similarly, with regard to the Preventive boatmen, these were also taken over by the Admiralty, but here, again, only those who were capable were accepted, while for the others “some moderate provision” was made.

On the last day of July in that year were sent out the regulations which the Admiralty had drawn up respecting the salaries, wages, victualling, &c., of the Revenue cruisers.  These may be summarised as follows, and compared with rates which have been given for previous years.  They were sent addressed in each case to the “Commander of His Majesty’s Cruiser employed in the prevention of smuggling.”

And first as to payment: 

  (I.) CRUISERS OF THE FIRST CLASS,
       i.e. of 140 tons burthen and upwards.

Commander to have         L150 per annum
1st Mate     "              80     "
2nd Mate     "              45     "

 (II.) CRUISERS OF THE SECOND CLASS,
       i.e. of 100 tons and upwards but under 140 tons.

Commander to have         L130 per annum
1st Mate    "               70     "
2nd Mate    "               40     "

(III.) CRUISERS OF THE THIRD CLASS,
       i.e. of less than 100 tons.

  Commander to have L110 per annum
  1st Mate " 60 "
  (No 2nd Mate)

The wages of the following persons were to remain the same in all classes, viz.: