JUNE 2021 Blues Vol 37 No. 6

1870’s Building the

1870’s Building the Foundation Kuhn’s Wharf It would not be until another tragedy occurred that Galveston would possess proper lifesaving tools and equipment. In November 1875, the Steamship City of Waco hailing from New York City arrived in Galveston to unload its cargo. Suddenly, the ship burst into flames without warning. Strong winds and rough waters prevented any aid from nearby vessels in the harbor, leaving Galvestonians and sailors alike to watch in horrified awe as the City of Waco sunk almost immediately. A memorial service was held in the Grand Opera House, packed with citizens to the point where there was not an empty seat or space to be found. A reverend gave a moving eulogy paying tribute to the 35 sailors who lost their lives in the tragedy and criticized the city for lack of appropriate means to come to their aid. He requested the city build a life-saving station on the island in honor of those fallen men, since nothing had been rebuilt since the war. Sumner Kimball, the newly appointed chief of the Treasury Department’s Revenue Marine Division, answered Galveston’s cries for help. Kimball, a young lawyer from Maine, instituted an inspection of the United States’ lifesaving network. He received 0,000 from Congress to professionalize the Galveston organization, providing new equipment and structures for housing the lifesaving materials. He also selected the new life station’s location to be Kuhn’s Wharf off of 18th street. Soon, Galveston would be re-organized and added into what was known as the United States Lifesaving Districts. 54 The BLUES POLICE MAGAZINE The BLUES POLICE MAGAZINE 55