JUNE 2021 Blues Vol 37 No. 6.5

1850’s The Early Days

1850’s The Early Days of Rescues On June 2nd, 1857, the Steamship Louisiana, full of furniture and lumber, caught fire 5 miles off the coast of Galveston. Due to poor housing and an inconvenient storage location of the Francis Lifeboat, it could not be used for rescue. Hundreds of Galvestonians stood on the shoreline in despair as they watched the ship burn and sink with 35 helpless crewmen on board. This event prompted citizens to petition the city for appropriate funds to not only build a proper boat house, but to mount the Francis Lifeboat on a wheeled carriage for easier transportation. The federal government also supplied funds for two additional lifeboats, life-saving equipment, and a permanent boathouse. Fifty-two volunteers submitted their names to the Mayor of Galveston for support in creating the Galveston Lifeboat Association. This was the beginning of Galveston’s lifesaving service. 50 The BLUES POLICE MAGAZINE The BLUES POLICE MAGAZINE 51