Governor R. M. McLane, was a steamboat built in 1884 that served the state of Maryland as an enforcement and survey vessel. Maryland's State Oyster Police Force (“Oyster Navy”) was established to enforce state conservation laws designed to protect Maryland's oyster resources when out of state, often New England, dredgers began destroying reefs. Later local opposition to licenses turned to open "warfare" in the "oyster wars" during which open battles took place. Governor R. M. McLane, after replacing an older steamer, Leila, was armed with the cannon the earlier vessel had used in engagements.