This Day in Coast Guard History – September 7

1934- Surfboats and lifeboats from Coast Guard stations Shark River, Squan Beach, Sandy Hook and others responded to a deadly fire aboard the liner Morro Castle, rescuing 129 survivors.  Cutters Tampa and Cahoone also responded.  After failing to get the Morro Castle under tow due to the worsening weather, they recovered as many victims from the water as they could.  All told over 250 Coast Guardsmen participated in the rescue and recovery effort.  Eventually this maritime disaster led to a Senate investigation and subsequent changes in maritime safety regulations.

1953-When the Panamanian SS Eugenia grounded as a result of the heavy weather generated off Cape Cod by Hurricane Carol, the Cape Cod Lifeboat Station removed 13 survivors by breeches buoy and 4 by the station's DUKW, an amphibious surface craft.

(Source: USCG Historian’s Office)