This Day in Coast Guard History – July 27

1793- President ordered full complements for cutters and increased monthly pay to $40 for Captains, $26 for 1st mates, $20 for 2nd mates, and $18 for 3rd mates.  Captains to have subsistence of Captain in Army, three mates subsistence of Army Lieutenants and mariner’s subsistence not to exceed $10 per month.

1868- Secretary of Treasury directed by Congress to enforce law prohibiting unauthorized killing of fur seals in Alaska.  Also President authorized to regulate traffic in firearms, ammunition and spirituous liquors in Alaska.  President assigned the Revenue Marine to police work necessary to enforce.

1957- A Captain of the Port patrol vessel discovered a fire of unknown origin at the Mystic Coal Yard in Boston, MA.  The U.S. Coast Guard Base, Boston, immediately rushed the CGC Cactus, 150 Coast Guardsmen, and portable fire-fighting equipment to the scene.  While the cutter moved a 450-foot Norwegian freighter away from the flaming dock, the shore party with the assistance of local agencies brought the fire under control.  Eight Coast Guardsmen were hospitalized because of the injuries they received while fighting the fire.

(Source: USCG Historian’s Office)