This Day in Coast Guard History – August 31

1819-The cutters Alabama and Louisiana captured the privateer Bravo in the Gulf of Mexico.  The Bravo's master, Jean Le Farges -- a lieutenant of Jean Lafitte -- was later hanged from the Louisiana's yardarm.  The cutters then sailed for Patterson's Town on Breton Island to destroy the notorious pirates' den there.

1852-The Lighthouse Board was created and charged with administering the Lighthouse Service, as the Revenue Cutter Service was again decentralized.  The board was comprised of Army and Navy officers, and civilian scientists.  Channel marking and light operation acquired scientific precision and engineering.  Classical lenses and lateral buoy systems were introduced. 

(Source: USCG Historian’s Office)