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Chronology of Early
Lifesaving
300 BC
Pharos, the massive lighthouse at Alexandria, Egypt, is built to guide seamen.
46 BC
Roman law establishes regulations requiring assistance to shipwrecked seamen and
provides that owners of vessels have one year and a day to file claims for recovery
of wrecked ships and cargo.
1484
AD
Richard III of England provides that those taking advantage of shipwrecked seamen
shall forfeit their possessions, be tied to a post in the center of their home,
and the house be burned.
1708
Earliest Chinese life-saving services documented. Moneys and prizes are awarded
for significant rescues. First of many was the "Chinkiang Society for the
Saving of Life." Detailed rules applied for rescues, including a scale of
funds vs. type of rescue performed, plus awards, and funds for burying the dead.
Punishments were also set forth for poor performance and/or malfeasance.
1767
Dutch establish Humane Society.
1774
British Humane Society formed. Later became the British Royal Humane Society.
1785-86
A group of friends meet at the "Bunch of Grapes Tavern" in Boston with
a blind Englishman, Doctor Moyes. He provides background of British Humane Society.
In January 1786, the Humane Society of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts is formed.
Governor James Bowdoin is elected first president. Society offers prizes to anyone
who might develop a technique for reviving persons "near death" by drowning
or overcome by smoke or gases. Within a few years, the Massachusetts Humane Society
constructs "Huts of Refuge" so that shipwrecked persons might find shelter
along the coast of Massachusetts.
1789
Congress assumes responsible harbors and approaches.
1790
On August 4, President George Washington signs legislation authorizing Alexander
Hamilton, Secretary of the Treasury, to build 10 cutters to collect duty in American
ports. The date is celebrated as the birthday of the U.S. Coast Guard.
1807
Mass Humane Society builds first surfboats and equips many "Huts of Refuge"
with boats and equipment to be used by volunteer crews in rescues.
1848
Congress passes the Newell Act, which provides construction of structures to house
life-saving rescue equipment in traditional shipwreck areas, principally the New
Jersey coastal approaches to New York harbor.
1852
U.S. Lighthouse Board created by Congress to better administer lighthouse/lightship
responsibilities and to correct the many deficiencies within the establishment.
Many lighthouses are upgraded with Fresnel lenses.
1871
U.S. Life-Saving Service [USLSS] is established. Sumner I. Kimball becomes its
first and only General Superintendent. Approximately 280 stations are built on
the East and West Coasts plus Great Lakes to aid in the rescue of shipwrecked
men.
1915
On January 20, 1915 the U.S. Revenue Cutter Service and U.S. Life-Saving Service
are combined and renamed U.S. Coast Guard.
1939
In July, Congress merges U.S. Lighthouse Service with the U.S. Coast Guard. |
