This Day in U.S. Coast Guard History - April 21
1838- The passenger steamboat Oronoko suffered a catastrophic boiler explosion while tied up at Princeton, Mississippi that killed over 100 passengers. This was one of three fatal steamboat boiler explosions within as many months that forced the Federal Government to begin regulating merchant steam vessels. 1910- U.S. Government took over the sealing operation of Pribiloff Islands from private lessees. 1924- In an effort to increase the number of cutters available for Prohibition enforcement, Navy destroyers were transferred to the Coast Guard for law enforcement purposes. The Coast Guard was also authorized to commission temporary officers. 1980- Boats with Cuban migrants on board began departing Mariel, Cuba.
This Day in Coast Guard History – April 21
1838- The passenger steamboat Oronoko suffered a catastrophic boiler explosion while tied up at Princeton, Mississippi that killed over 100 passengers. This was one of three fatal steamboat boiler explosions within as many months that forced the Federal Government to begin regulating merchant steam vessels. 1910- U.S. Government took over the sealing operation of Pribiloff Islands from private lessees. 1924- In an effort to increase the number of cutters available for Prohibition enforcement, Navy destroyers were transferred to the Coast Guard for law enforcement purposes. The Coast Guard was also authorized to commission temporary officers. 1980- Boats with Cuban migrants on board began departing Mariel, Cuba.
