Unregulated Waters: The Home and Pulaski Steamboat Disasters

In this episode of Clarissa Explains, host Clarissa Sanders dives into two deadly steamboat disasters in American history: the wreck of the Home in 1837 and the explosion of the Pulaski in 1838. These maritime tragedies shocked the nation, claimed over 200 lives, and exposed the dangers of unregulated steam travel.

Through survivor accounts, newspaper reactions, and historical analysis, Clarissa uncovers how public outrage and mounting loss of life pressured Congress to act, ultimately leading to the 1838 Steamboat Act, the first federal law to regulate private industry for public safety.

From tales of heroism and negligence to the political tension between free enterprise and government oversight, this episode tells the story of how two steamboats changed the course of American consumer protection laws.

The music from this episode is "Felicity" by Scott Buckley - released under CC-BY 4.0. www.scottbuckley.com.au