Based on the Coast Guard Historian’s timeline, https://www.history.uscg.mil/research/chronology/
With inspiration from Mike Kelso

March 4

Algonquin, no caption/date; Neg. No. 148-2; Marine Photo Shop-Joe D. Williamson photo.

1907  Congress appropriated $30,000 for installing wireless telegraphs on not more than 12 revenue cutters.  USRC Algonquin as the first cutter fitted with the new technology with money appropriated from this act.

1915  Secretary of the Treasury was authorized by Congress to detail cutters to enforce anchorage regulations in all harbors, rivers, bays, and other navigable waters of United States.

USCGC Yamacraw, c. 1914.

1917  Ten crewmen of CGC Yamacraw perished in the line of duty while trying to rescue the crew of the grounded steamer Louisiana near Ocean City, Maryland.  The Treasury Department labeled their loss “the most disastrous incident of this kind ever recorded in the annals of the Coast Guard, or of either of its forbears, the Revenue-Cutter Service and Life-Saving Service.”  The Coast Guardsmen who gave up their lives were:  Gunner Ross Harris, Master-at-Arms R. J. Grady, Quartermaster M. L. Kambarn, Seaman G. V. Jarvis, Ordinary Seaman M. L. Austin, Ordinary Seaman D. Fulcher, Ordinary Seaman R. L. Garrish, Ordinary Seaman R. E. Simmons, Ordinary Seaman T. L. Midgett, and Boy First Class J. A. Dugger.

1925  An Act of Congress (43 Stat. L., 1261), for the first time, provided for disability retirement within the Lighthouse Service.

The U.S. Coast Guard SAR aircraft Arcturus (USCG)

1929  Congress appropriated $144,000 for seaplanes and equipment for Coast Guard.

1952  An air detachment consisting of three helicopters and necessary personnel established as the first unit of its type on a test basis (at AIRSTA Brooklyn) began operating in support of port security operations.

1977  ENS Janna Lambine, USCG, graduated from naval aviation training at NAS Whiting Field, Milton, Florida, becoming the first female pilot in the Coast Guard.

Based on the Coast Guard Historian’s timeline, https://www.history.uscg.mil/research/chronology/
With inspiration from Mike Kelso

March 3

USRC Louisiana

1819  Congress authorized the revenue cutters to protect merchant vessels of United States against piracy and to seize vessels engaged in slave trade.  The cutters Louisiana and Alabama were built shortly thereafter to assist in the government’s efforts against piracy.

1837  An Act of Congress (5 Stat. L., 181, 185) laid down certain restrictions, by providing that the construction of the large number of new lighthouses, lightships, etc., for which this law was appropriating the necessary funds, would not be begun until examined by Board of Navy Commissioners.  They reported to Congress those cases where the “navigation is so inconsiderable as not to justify the proposed works.”  The Navy detailed 22 officers to this duty and, before the end of the year, their recommendations resulted in the deferment of the construction of 31 lighthouses already appropriated for.

Revenue Cutter Washington rejigged as a brig in 1838 or 39. This is the ship that intercepted La Amistad.

1839  Congress directed that Revenue Captain Ezekial Jones, commanding the revenue cutter Washington in the Seminole War, be allowed the same pay as a lieutenant in the Navy would receive for like services.

1845  Congress authorized the President to appoint six engineers (later amplified by Act of February 4, 1863) and six assistant engineers, one of each to be assigned to each revenue steamer then in the service.  Engineers were to receive the same pay as first lieutenants and assistant engineers the same pay as third lieutenants.

1845  Congress directed no person be appointed as a revenue cutter officer “who does not adduce competent proof of proficiency and skill in navigation and seamanship.”  This was the first official underway qualifications established for the service.

1845  The duties of the Fifth Auditor of the Treasury as Superintendent of Lights was first put on a statutory basis by an Act of Congress (5 Stat. L., 752. 762), which prescribed that “the Fifth Auditor of the Treasury, shall continue to superintend the several matters and things connected with the lighthouses, beacons, buoys, and public piers, as heretofore, of the United States, and to perform all the duties connected therewith, under the direction of the Secretary of the Treasury, until otherwise ordered by law.”

1847  Congress appropriated $5000 “for furnishing lighthouses on the Atlantic Coast with means of rendering assistance to shipwrecked mariners.”  This was the first federal appropriation for rendering assistance to the shipwrecked from shore.

1849  The Office of Commissioner of Customs was created.  The local Collectors took over control of the revenue cutters within their jurisdictions.

1859  An Act of Congress (11 Stat. L., 423, 424) authorized the Lighthouse Board to use its own discretion in the discontinuance as necessary of such lighthouses as might become useless by reason of changes in commerce, alteration in channels, or other causes.

1873  Signal Corps of Army established a storm signal service for benefit of seafaring men at several life-saving stations and constructed telegraph lines as a means of communication between the stations.

1875  Secretary of the Treasury was authorized by Congress to acquire by donation or purchase the right to use and acquire sites for life saving and lifeboat stations.

1885  Congress authorized Secretary of the Treasury to detail officers and men of Revenue Marine Service to duty under the commissioner of Fish and Fisheries Division of the Bureau of Fisheries when they could be spared for such duty.

1899  An Act of Congress (30 Stat. L., 1121, 1152) required that, whenever a vessel, raft, or other craft was wrecked and sunk in a navigable channel, it became the duty of the owner to immediately mark the sunken craft with a suitable buoy or beacon during the day and a lighted lantern at night.  Previously, the Lighthouse Establishment had been authorized by Congress to place, when considered necessary, a lightship or other suitable warning of danger on any wreck or temporary obstruction to the entrance of any harbor or in the channel of any bay or sound.

Coast Guard Yard, Curtis Bay, MD.

1905  Congress authorized the Secretary of the Treasury to acquire a suitable site in the state of Maryland upon which to establish a depot for the Revenue Cutter Service; this station became the Coast Guard Yard.

1915  An Act of Congress (38 Stat. L., 926, 928) provided for cooperation between the Lighthouse Service and the Forest Service in the management of the forest land on lighthouse reservations.

1918  By Act of Congress (38 Stat. L., 928), the protection afforded the aids to navigation maintained by the United States government was extended to those established and operated by private individuals.

The Life Line, by Winslow Homer, 1884, depicts a breeches buoy in use during a rescue operation.

1947  The SS Oakey S. Alexander reported being in distress 22 miles east of Portland, Maine, with a hatch stove in and shipping water.  CGC Cowslip immediately proceeded on orders from Portland to assist.  When she began breaking up, the ship’s commanding officer decided to beach at Cape Elizabeth.  Cowslip arrived on the scene but was unable to approach the beached vessel because of heavy seas.  All 32 crewmembers, however, were removed safely from the ship by Coast Guardsmen from the Cape Elizabeth Light and Lifeboat Station using a breeches buoy.

Based on the Coast Guard Historian’s timeline, https://www.history.uscg.mil/research/chronology/
With inspiration from Mike Kelso

March 2

Coast Guard Cutter Stratton fires its MK 110 during a gunnery exercise in the Bering Sea April 28, 2021. Routine training and live-fire exercises provide opportunities to evaluate and improve procedures, test capabilities and maintain proficiency. U.S. Coast Guard photo courtesy Ensign Molly Dolan.

1792 Congress authorized the revenue cutters to fire on merchant ships that refused to “bring to.”

1799  Congress authorized revenue cutter officers to board all ships of the United States within four leagues of the U.S., if bound for the U.S., and then search and examine them, certifying manifest, sealing hatches, and remaining on board until they arrived in port.  They were also authorized to search ships of other nations in United States’ waters and “perform such other duties for the collection and security of the Revenue” as directed by the Secretary of the Treasury.

1799  Congress authorized cutters and boats to be “distinguished from other vessels by an ensign and pendant” with the marks thereon prescribed by the President of the United States, to fire on vessels who refused to bring to after the pendant and ensign had been hoisted and a gun fired as a signal, masters to be indemnified from any penalties or actions for damages for so doing, and be admitted to bail if anyone is killed or wounded by such firing.  On August 1, 1799, Secretary Oliver Wolcott, Jr., prescribed that the ” ensign and pennant’’ should consist of “Sixteen perpendicular stripes, alternate red and white, the union of the ensign to be the arms of the United States in dark blue on a white field.”  There were sixteen states in the Union at that time.

SOUTH CHINA SEA (July 31, 2024) – Independence-class littoral combat ship USS Mobile (LCS 26) conducts a Maritime Cooperative Activity with Philippine Navy’s Gregorio del Pilar-class patrol ship, BRP Ramon Alcaraz (PS 16), former CGC Dallas) in the South China Sea, July 31, 2024. Mobile, part of Destroyer Squadron 7, is on a rotational deployment operating in the U.S. 7th Fleet area of operations to enhance interoperability with allies and partners and serve as a ready-response force in support of a free and open Indo-Pacific region. (U.S. Navy photo by Naval Aircrewman Tactical Helicopter 2nd Class Diego Chavez)

1799  Congress authorized the President to sell cutters unfit for service and the Secretary of Treasury to apply an unexpended balance of proceeds in the purchase and construction of revenue cutters.  (This authority was revoked March 3, 1845).

1807  Congress passed the “Act Prohibiting the Importation of Slaves” (2 Stat. 426).  The act outlawed the importation of slaves into the United States.  It went into effect on January 1, 1808.  The Revenue Marine enforced the law on the high seas.

1845  Congress reined in President John Tyler’s zealous use of the presidential veto, overriding it with the necessary two-thirds vote.  This marked Congress’ first use of the Constitutional provision allowing Congressional veto overrides and represented Congress’ parting gift to Tyler as he left office.  About two weeks earlier, Tyler had vetoed a Congressional bill that would have denied him the power to appropriate federal funds to build revenue-cutter ships without Congressional approval.  With the override, Congress insisted that the executive branch get the legislature’s approval before commissioning any new military craft.

1868  By Act of Congress (15 Stat. L., 249), the Lighthouse Board was “authorized, when in their judgment, it is deemed necessary, to place a light-vessel, or other suitable warning of danger, on or over any wreck or temporary obstruction to the entrance of any harbor, or in the channel or fairway of any bay or sound.”

1889  Congress authorized the Secretary of Treasury to keep rivers clear to afford marine species access to their spawning grounds.

1912  The Revenue cutter Hartley seized the vessel Morning Star in Oakland Creek and arrested her crew for carrying 21 “contraband” Chinese migrants.

1978  Mexican authorities requested Coast Guard assistance after severe rainstorms caused significant flooding in Baja.  Two HH-3Fs from AIRSTA San Diego began evacuating people for Ensenada.  An HC-130 from AIRSTA San Francisco and a third HH-3F from San Diego joined the flood relief operations.  As of March 8^th, Coast Guard aviation units had flown 59 sorties and 77 flight hours, transported 349 persons to safety, and delivered 74,600 lbs. of relief supplies in operations covering Ensenada, Tijuana, Santa Ynes, San Quintin, Punta Colnett, Camalu, Guadlupe, El Rosario, and La Mission.  Through the Mexican Secretary of Defense and the Governor of Baja California, the President of Mexico relayed his personal appreciation and that of the Mexican people to all Coast Guard personnel involved.

2015  CGC Diligence returned to its homeport of Wilmington, North Carolina, following a 46-day patrol in the Caribbean Sea and Atlantic Ocean.  During the patrol, Diligence was diverted to conduct a search and rescue mission of four Italian sailors aboard the 30-foot sailing vessel Algeria, which became disabled off the Coast of Panama.  The four sailors had been underway on the Algeria for more than a month navigating from Italy to Costa Rica when the vessel became disabled. Diligence traveled more than 175 miles to Algeria’s location and then towed the sailing vessel to safety in Chiriqui Grande, Panama.  During the patrol, the crew aboard Diligence conducted search and rescue operations off the coast of Panama, drug interdiction operations in the vicinity of Honduras, Nicaragua, Costa Rica, and Panama, and alien migrant interdiction operations in the Straits of Florida.  Diligence patrolled in support of the Joint Interagency Task Force South’s Operation Martillo in the Western Caribbean Sea from Honduras to Columbia.

Coast Guard Cutter Polar Star (WAGB 10) visited Palmer Station, a United States research station on the Antarctic peninsula, March 3, 2023, after completing a successful deployment in support of Operation Deep Freeze 2023. This was the Coast Guard Cutter Polar Star’s first visit to Palmer Station in 35 years. Operation Deep Freeze is one of many operations in the Indo-Pacific in which the U.S. military promotes security and stability across the region. (U.S. Coast Guard photo by Petty Officer 3rd Class Aidan Cooney)

2023  CGC Polar Star (WAGB 10) and crew departed the Antarctic region March 2, after 67 days below the Antarctic Circle in support of Operation Deep Freeze 2023. Polar Star and crew broke a 17-mile channel through fast ice and conducted over 1,600 hours of ice breaking operations to create a navigable route for cargo vessels to reach McMurdo Station. Polar Star and crew executed more than 60 hours of ice escorts for cargo vessels through difficult pack ice conditions. “Though sea ice around the Antarctic continent overall has been determined to be at one of the lowest in recent history, the sea ice in McMurdo Sound was observed to be at the highest concentration on record dating back to at least 2012,” said LCDR Don Rudnickas, the onboard ice analyst. “The pack ice conditions this year were difficult and made icebreaker support critical not only for establishing the fast ice channel, but for the close escort through pack ice of three of the four cargo vessels resupplying McMurdo Station.” While operating in Antarctica, Polar Star and crew made two logistical stops at McMurdo Station. After the first stop in McMurdo, the cutter and crew assisted in moving a 30,000-ton aging and degraded ice pier from Winter Quarters Bay to make way for a modular causeway system that was installed for the season. The cutter also provided an ice escort to motor vessel Ocean Giant and crew, who delivered the 65-ton MCS that was offloaded, assembled, and used as a pier to replace the traditional ice pier used for cargo operations. “The Antarctic region is a harsh and challenging environment to operate in,” said LCDR Benjamin Litts, operations officer. “Despite the inhospitable conditions, our crew adapted and tirelessly performed at the highest level to ensure mission success.” Before departing the Antarctic Region, the cutter also visited Palmer Station, the United States’ research facility located on the Antarctic Peninsula. Polar Star personnel went ashore to meet with the station manager and staff, tour the facility, and shared camaraderie in one of the most remote regions on the planet. This was the first visit from a U.S. Coast Guard icebreaker to Palmer Station since 1987.

Based on the Coast Guard Historian’s timeline, https://www.history.uscg.mil/research/chronology/
With inspiration from Mike Kelso

February 28

1867  As ordered by the Treasury Department, each officer of Revenue Cutter Service, while on duty, was entitled to one Navy ration per day.

1871  Congress passed 16 Stat. 458 which addressed shortcomings in previous legislation regarding the inspection and certification of steamboats and their crews.  This Act established the Steamboat Inspection Service (SIS) within the Department of Treasury headed by a Supervisory Inspector General answerable to the Treasury Secretary.  The Act also provided SIS inspectors with greater authority over more aspects of the maritime field.

1942  Certain duties of the former Bureau of Marine Inspection and Navigation were transferred to the Coast Guard temporarily by Executive Order 9083.  The transfer was made permanent on July 16, 1946.  Also, the U.S. Maritime Service was transferred to the Coast Guard from the War Shipping Administration on this date.

California officials have added a C-130 Hercules cargo plane to the firefighting fleet of the California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection, the state’s primary firefighting agency. (Courtesy Cal Fire/TNS)

1963  With the arrival of the ferry crew on this date to accept delivery of the HC-130B CGNR 1351 at Marietta, Georgia, the Coast Guard completed its program for the procurement of 12 long range, long endurance, four engine landplanes.  The aircraft were assigned to Air Station Elizabeth City and Air Detachments Argentia, San Francisco, and Barbers Point.

2004  Coast Guard units responded to an explosion aboard the 570-foot Singapore-flagged tanker Bow Mariner off the coast of Chincoteague, Virginia.  The Bow Mariner was carrying 6.5 million gallons of industrial ethanol when it exploded and sank.  The Coast Guard rescued six survivors.

USCGC Steadfast (WMEC 623)

2015  CGC Steadfast returned to its homeport of Astoria after a two-month Joint Interagency Task Force (JIATF) deployment.  Steadfast partook in multiple Coast Guard missions ranging from search and rescue, to counter-narcotics, to securing U.S. borders through enhancement of international relations, and coordination with other cutters and aircraft allowing the U.S. to stop drug trafficking before it reaches U.S. borders.  While returning from patrol off the coast of Central America, Steadfast offloaded approximately 725 kilograms of cocaine in San Diego.  The seized cocaine is worth an estimated wholesale value of more than $23 million.  The offload is a result of a successful drug interdiction in the Eastern Pacific Ocean on January 23, 2015.  While on a routine patrol, a maritime patrol aircraft working in conjunction with JIATF assets detected a suspicious go-fast vessel south of El Salvador.  Using information provided by the aircrew, Steadfast was able to vector the cutter’s Over-the-Horizon boat to intercept and conduct a law enforcement boarding of the suspect vessel.  Once aboard the go-fast vessel, the Coast Guard boarding team found 16 bales of contraband hidden throughout the 35-foot vessel that tested positive for cocaine.  The Coast Guard took three suspected smugglers into custody.  This seizure is one of many interdictions in the Eastern Pacific in recent months due to an increased presence of Coast Guard cutters in support of the Western Hemisphere Strategy.  The Western Hemisphere Strategy has been implemented by the Coast Guard and various other government agencies to protect U.S. borders by stopping illicit trafficking at the source.  Steadfast’s interdiction was part of Operation Martillo, which is one component in the United States government’s whole-of-government approach to countering the use of the Central American littorals as transshipment routes for illicit drugs, weapons, and cash.  Prior to the visit to San Diego, Steadfast participated in a North American Maritime Security Initiative (NAMSI) exercise off the coast of Ensenada, Mexico, February 21-22, 2015.