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 – September 1
1789-An act of Congress provided for the registering and clearing of vessels and the regulation of the coastwise trade, thus laying the foundation of American navigation laws which, until 1912, embodied the marine policy of the United States. 1894-An armed guard of Revenue Cutter Service personnel were placed on the Pribiloff Islands to protect seals. 1938-The Coast Guard assumed responsibility for the Maritime Service. 1939-The armed forces of Nazi Germany invaded Poland, beginning World War II. 1942- On 1 September 1942 Joseph C. Jenkins was given a temporary promotion to warrant officer (Boatswain); becoming the first African-American warrant officer in the Coast Guard.
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.
