The Henry Clay Fire: Steamboat SafetyA deadly race on the Hudson River forced new federal laws.

From the show

Rules Written in Blood

The 1852 Henry Clay steamboat disaster reveals how a deadly, high-stakes race forced the U.S. government to regulate private industry. The tragedy, which killed over 80 people, was a direct result of reckless competition on the Hudson River. Public outrage over the preventable deaths pressured a reluctant Congress to pass landmark safety legislation, introducing boiler inspections and licensing for pilots, forever changing maritime safety.