the coast guard's presence in port angeles began 136 years ago on august 1, 1862 with the arrival of the shubrick, the first revenue cutter to be home ported on the olympic peninsula. ediz hook, a level sand spit extending from the mainland north and east into the strait of juan de fuca, was declared a federal lighthouse reservation by president lincoln in 1863. the first lighthouse was commissioned on 1 april 1865. the air station was commissioned on 1 june 1935, becoming the first permanent coast guard air station on the pacific coast. its location was chosen for its strategic position for coastal defense of the northwest. the first aircraft, a douglas rd-4 amphibian, arrived 11 june 1935 and flew the first "mercy hop" on august 1935. the 75-foot patrol boats were also stationed at the new unit.