Hurricanes during the War

[kevinw33]

Sirs,

After reading the post a few lines down about the fellas weathering the storm, it made me wonder: What do we know of hurricanes that hit during the war?

I would imagine they would play hell with the blockade, was there any way to know when a storm was coming?

Also, has anyone came across anything written about troops on garrison duty along the Gulf Coast getting hit by a storm?

Again, we pray for you guys down there in it now.

Kevin Whitehead

[Mcouioui]

Je profite de ce poste pour vous transmettre une pensée amicale du "French Mess" à nos camarades de Louisiane et à tous les habitants de notre vieille Louisiane, face à la tempête qui vous attends, nous serons là en mars quoi qu'il en soit... Nous vous aimons!!!
I take advantage of this post for pass on a friendly thought of "French Mess" to our companions of Louisiana and to all inhabitants of our old Louisiana, in front of the storm who wait you, we shall be there in March be that as it may... We love you!!!

[Dale Beasley]

Re: Hurricanes during the War

Merce becoup, Sha.

[cmadler]

Re: Hurricanes during the War

After a quick search, it seems that three hurricanes made landfall during the war, all estimated at Category 1 on the Saffir-Simpson scale, all in the fall of 1861: August in southwest Florida (hurricane center did not make landfall, but hurricane-force winds up to 90 mph were recorded), and September and November in North Carolina (both estimated to have top winds of 70 mph). (NOAA record at http://www.aoml.noaa.gov/hrd/hurdat/...st18512007.txt) An additional note on the NOAA site points out that due to sparse coastal settlements, smaller hurricanes may have gone unobserved in Texas, Louisiana, and Florida during this time frame, but they estimate that no hurricanes occurred unobserved elsewhere on the Atlantic coast. I'd certainly be interested to see any period accounts of these storms.

[Rebelkid01]

Re: Hurricanes during the War

I know there was a very deadly storm that hit Texas a number of years ago, however, I'm not sure if it was during the war or post war 9 turn of the century). I do, however, know that during that time a hurricane was a total surprise. There were NO warnings and when one would hit many deaths followed.

[cmadler]

Re: Hurricanes during the War

I suspect that's the Galveston Hurricane of 1900 (sometimes called the Galveston Flood) that you're thinking of, it killed somewhere between 6,000 and 12,000 people, making it by far the deadliest natural disaster in US history.

[Sweatshop Tailor]

Re: Hurricanes during the War

Yep, that's right.

I seem to remember an account of a violent storm in which a blockade runner foundered and was lost off of Cuba in 1864 in Watson's Memoirs of a Blockade Runner. That sounds to have been at the very least a strong Tropical Storm, perhaps one of those unrecorded hurricanes.

[Becky Morgan]

Re: Hurricanes during the War

Try this, selecting the year that most interests you:

http://http://www.wunderground.com/h...urrarchive.asp


Dr. Jose Fernandez-Partagas devoted much of his free time during his working years, and nearly all of his retirement, to researching the tracks of hurricanes from 1851 on.

By the look of it, there were three landfalling hurricanes on the East Coast in 1861 which might explain a lot of the rain and sickness in camp that fall. After what looks like a quiet 1862, TS 6 in 1863 must have been a bother to the troops in the Carolinas and Virginia, if only from rain shield.

[kevinw33]

Re: Hurricanes during the War

I assumed that there would have been at least a storm per year, just like now.

I also thought that the gulf coast was pretty well established, maybe not.
I will still hope to find a letter from a garrison soldier telling about a hurricane.

[OldKingCrow]

Here the Federal Fleet Gets Hammered with Sherman's Troops

Flag Ship Wabass, off Hilton Head,
Port Royal Harbor,
Nov. 6, 1861.

Sir:
The Government having determined to seize and occupy one or more important points upon our Southern coast, where our squadron might find shelter, possess a depot, and afford protection to loyal citizens, committed to my discretion the selection from among those places which it thought most available and desirable for these purposes.

After mature deliberation, sided by the professional knowledge and great intelligence of the Assistant Secretary, Mr. Fox, and upon taking into consideration the magnitude to which the Joint naval and military expedition had been extended, to which you have called my attention, I came to the conclusion that the original intention of the department, if first carried out, would fall short of the expectations of the country and of the capabilities of the expedition, while Port Royal, I thought, would meet both in a high degree.

I therefore submitted to Brigadier-General Sherman, commanding the military part of the expedition, this modification of our earliest matured plans, and had the satisfaction to receive his full concurrence, though he and the commander of the brigades very justly laid great stress on the necessity, if possible, of getting this frigate into the harbor of Port Royal.

On Tuesday, the 29th October, the fleet under my command left Hampton Roads, and with the army transports numbered fifty vessels. On this day previous I had dispatched the coal vessels, twenty-five in all, under convoy of the Vancalia, Commander Haggerry, to rendezvous off Charleston, not wishing to give the true point.

The weather had been unsettled in Hampton Roads, though it promised well when we settled, but off Hatteras it blew hard. Some ships got into the breakers, and two struck, but without injury.

On Friday, the 1st November, rough weather soon increased into a gale, and we had to encounter one of great violence from the southeast, a portion of which approached to a hurricane. The fleet was utterly dispersed, and on Saturday morning one said only was in sight from the deck of the Wabash.

On the following day the weather moderated, and ships and steamers began to reappear Orders (not opened except in case of separation) were furnished to all the men-of-war by myself, and to the transports by Brig. Gen. Sherman.

As the vessels rejoined, reports came in of disasters. I expected to hear of many, but when the severity of the gale and the character of the vessels are considered, we have only cause for great

In reference to the men-of-war, the Isaac Smith-arm sufficient and well armed vessel for the class purchased, but not intended to encounter such sea and wind — had to throw her formidable battery overboard to keep from foundering, but thus relieved, Lieut. commanding Nicholson was enable to go to the assistance of the chartered a steamer Governor, then in a very dangerous condition, and on board of which was one fine of marines under Major Reynolds. They were family by Captain Reynold in the Sabene, under difficult circumstances soon after which the Governor went down. I relieve saved of the marines went down by their own imprudence. Lieut. Commanding Nicholson's conduct in the Isaac Smith has met with my warm commendation.

The Peerless port, in sinking conditions was met by the Commander Gordon. All the persons on board, twenty-six in number, were saved under very perilous circumstances in which service, Lieut. H. W. Miller was very favorably noticed by his commander.

Ga. passing Charleston I sent in the Seneca, Lieut. Commanding American, to direct Capt. Lardner to join me with the steamer Susquence off Port Royal, without delay. On Monday, 8 o'clock in the morning. I off the with some twenty five vessels in company, with many more heaving in sight.

The Department is aware that all the aids to navigation had been removed, and the ten miles seaward, with no features on the shore line with sufficient prominence to make any bearings reliable. But to the skill of Commodore Davis, the Fleet Captain, and Mr. Boutelle, the able Assistant of the Coast Survey, in charge of the steamer Vixen, the channel was immediately found, sounded out and buoyed. By 3 o'clock I received assurances from Capt. Davis that I could send forward the lighter transports, those under 18 feet, with all the gun boats, which was immediately done, and before dark they were securely anchored in the Roadstead of Port Royal, South Carolina. The gun-boats almost immediately opened their batteries upon two or three Confederate steamers under Commodore Tamail, instantly chasing them under the shelter of the batteries.

In the morning, Com. John Rodzers, of the U. S. Steamer Flag, temporarily on board this ship, and acting on my staff, accompanied Brigadier General Wright in the gunboat Ottawa, Lieut. Commanding Stevens, and supported by the Seneca, Lieut. Commanding made a reconnaissance in force and drew the fire of the batteries on Hilton Had and Bay Point sufficiently to show that the fortifications were works of strength and constructed. In the evening of Monday, Capt. Davis and Mr. Boutelle reported water enough for the Wabash to venture in.

The responsibility of hazarding so noble a frigate was not a slight one. Over a prolonged bar of over two miles, there was but a foot or two of water to spare, and the fall and rise of tide is such that, if she had grounded, she would have most serious injury from straining, if totally lost. Too much, however, was to hesitate, and the result was entirely successful.

On the morning Tuesday the Wabash crossed the bar, closely by the frigate Susqueharm Atlantic, Vander bill, and other transports of deep draft, and on running through that portion of the fleet already in, the sale passage of this great ship over the bar was hailed by gratifying cheers from the crowed vessels.

We anchored and immediately commenced preparing the ship for action, but the delay of planting buoys, particularly on the "Fishing Kip," a dangerous shoal we had to avoid, tender the late before it was possible to with attacking squadron. In our the outline of the forts before dark in to near this sheal, and the ships By the time she was gotten off, it was too late in my judgement, to proceed, and I made signal for the squadron to anchor out of gun-shot from the enemy.

To-day the wind blows a gale from the Southward and Westward, and the attack is unavoidably postponed.

I have the honor to be, sir, respectfully, your obedient servant,

S. F. Flag Officer Command'g


South Atlantic Blockading Squadron,


Hon. Gideon Wells,


Secretary of the Navy, Washington,

More hurricane research to come.

[OldKingCrow]

Here we see reference in the West to what we know today to be a coastal storm phenomena. I would suppose this to be a tornado description :

Pony Express November 2, 1860

… we have advices from Julesburg, 450 miles from St. Joseph, of one of the most severe storms that was ever known on the Plains. On the 26th it blew a hurricane, accompanied by hail, until three o'clock P. M., when a heavy snow storm set in. The weather is rapidly growing cold. Emigrant trains line that station on every side, their cattle suffering more than in mid winter. It was thought that the emigrants above and below Julesburg would also suffer severely and great loss ensue. The pony was detained five hours in consequence.

Again a description of a hurricane in the mountains..more likely a tornado:

December 9/60 --What a dreadful day! I had yet to learn what a hurricane up in the mountains was like. I can hardly describe what passed out of doors. We heard a frightful roaring. When we tried to open the door a jar, the chalet was filled with a whirlwind of snow; the wind rushed in with such fury that we had great difficulty in closing the door again. We were obliged to drop the trap of the chimney; and, besides, it was impossible to light a fire, because the smoke was continually driven down again. We ate our milk without boiling. My grandfather keeps up my courage by his calm behavior, as well as by his grave and pious words. At the time when one would say that the wrath of God was hanging over us, he speaks to me of His compassion and His mercy. On trying a second time to open the door, we found that a mass of snow had fallen back upon it, so that we are completely imprisoned, as before. What I most regret is my window; it is drifted up again. Decidedly, as soon as the weather permits, I will make a fresh attempt to regain a little light and liberty.

Terms tornado and hurricane used out West:

Frightful tornado.
Jan 4, 1861

--The Northern portion of Utah Territory has recently been visited with a terrific hurricane, destroying a large amount of property, unroofing houses, and carrying before it everything movable. The principal dwellings in the villages of Farmington and Ogden were blown down, and vast numbers of sheep, mules and other live stock were killed. Fences and bay-stacks were swept away, and the amount of loss must be very considerable. The tornado lasted for 48 hours.

September coastal hurricane activity..matches today's patterns:

Richmond Dispatch
Friday morning....Sept,20, 1861
Our Correspondence.
from the Northwest

We are expecting here the equinoctial storm, which generally occurs at about this period. Sometimes after, but more frequently before, the sun enters the first point of Aries or of Libra. The autumnal storms are sometimes very violent along our coast, the wind blowing with great power, causing immense damage to the shipping and to property on shore, on which occasions the tide rises to a great height. The most terrific equinoctial hurricane that has occurred at this latitude for many years, took place in the early part of September, 1821. Houses were demolished, trees blown down, timber floated off, and several lives were lost. A gale of this kind would be the means of sweeping off the impudent intruders at Hatteras, unless they should make their escape to the main land, where they would be a sure and easy prey for the sharp-shooters of the old North State.

Interesting to note "almost blowing a hurricane" which perhaps indicates an understanding of storm severity categorization and ability to measure wind speed:

Richmond Dispatch.
Tuesday morning.....Nov. 5, 1861
From Norfolk.

Last night, at a late hour, the wind commenced to blow very heavily from Southeast At about ten o'clock there were vivid flashes of lightning and very loud peals of thunder To-day a storm of great violence is raging here — rain falling in very heavy showers. On the coast the wind is blowing almost a hurricane. If the Federal fleet has not made a safe port somewhere, we may reasonably expect to hear that some of the vessels, at least, have been driven ashore and lost. Should the storm overtake them south of Hatteras, they will, in all probability, be blown ashore near the Cape. There seems to be but little doubt that this storm will cause great disaster to vessels along the coast, and to those that encounter this tremendous gale, though some distance out to sea.

Weather so bad they had to put down horses:

Camp Bartow, Pocahontas co. Nov. 7th. 1862
The weather for the last week has been of the most boisterous kind. Tuesday night and during the day of Wednesday was the worst that I have ever experienced. The rain poured in torrents and the wind blew a perfect hurricane. The mountains are covered with snow, and it is very cold. The mud is ankle deep, both inside and outside of the tents, and the troops are suffering very much. The weather is so inclement that a large number of our horses have received their final "discharges," and have taken their departure to that bourne where there are no horrid roads and the dreaded whip of the driver to weary them any longer. There is scarcely a man you meet that can speak plainly, in consequence of colds, and the frequent barking of nights would remind one of a pack of hounds in full chase. The above is official and may be relied on. Excuse the manner in which it is written, as it is so cold that your correspondent can scarcely hold his pen in his hand. Ned.

I just like that he slept behind a log as a wind break:

Our correspondent "T. S.," to whom we are indebted for a graphic description of the battle of Alleghany Mountain, heretofore published, writes from Col. Johnson's camp, under date of 17th inst., that "our victory was, indeed, a brilliant one, and probably the hardest fought battle of the war. The enemy's loss was very severe, and although they carried off many wagon loads of dead and wounded, and left many dead bodies upon the field, yet we continue to find their dead behind logs and in the crevices of the rocks every day since the battle. So fatal was the fire of our troops, that nearly all the dead enemy found were shot through the head or breast." The writer adds:
We have a very hard time of it upon these mountains, yet we bear it without a murmur. Isolated from the balance of the world,
deprived of every comfort, and doomed to the most desolate spot in North America, we are still ready to suffer even more for our noble Common wealth, and our dearest rights. Our homes are in possession of the enemy, and as we have no sutler at this post, we are unable even to procure a pipe, much less the comforts of life. Just think of men sleeping in the open air, on the bare ground, upon the summit of Alleghany, in the latter part of December. We do this thing nightly since the battle. Last night I slept behind a log, the wind blowing a hurricane, the keen blast piercing through my blanket and clothing, and chilling every drop of my blood. Our men bear all these privations cheerfully, and express a firm determination to fight the war through. It is true we would prefer being sent to some point where we could purchase necessary supplies, and were under marching orders, but the conflict of the 13th has changed the order, and we will probably now have to winter on Alleghany.

Mini-hurricane ?

The streets.
The Daily Dispatch: January 31, 1863.

--The recent very disagreeable weather left the streets of this city and the avenues leading to it in such bad condition that travel has been seriously interfered with. Yesterday a miniature hurricane came to the relief of the people, and by much blowing succeeded in rendering the streets in a passable condition. It will take a week of good weather to restore the country roads to their pristine condition.

[Abrams]

Re: Hurricanes during the War

I recall reading about the USS Monitor sinking off North Carolina's Outer Banks, near Cape Hatteras, after foundering in a bad storm on December 31, 1862. I can find no where it being described as a hurricane though.

[ConfederateRose14]

Re: Hurricanes during the War

According to To Live and Die in Dixie by H. Grady Howell, three serious hurricanes hit the Mississippi Gulf Coast in 1860, one in August, one in September, and another one in October. According to Howell, "Boats, homes, and properties were destroyed and lives turned upside down. Many people were killed and more than 97 wharves were destroyed along the coast. According to the memory of a surviving Biloxian, Ernest Desporte, the hurricane 'changed the shoreline of our little village'." The Daily Crescent of September 21st described "widespread ruin" and bemoaned that the "loss incurred by the storm at this point...will not fall short of $10,000." According to Howell, "Trade along the coast was disrupted for weeks. Overnight, hundreds....became hurricane refugees. Many....waited for packet steamers to....carry them away." Troops being raised in the area were called out to help handle the emergencies.

[FloridaBelle]

Re: Hurricanes during the War

Kevin,
I found a link that will tell you more about a few hurricanes that hit the coast between Louisiana, Alabama, and Mississippi in August 1860,

http://www.gendisasters.com/data1/la/hurricanes/hurricane-aug1860.htm

Also here is another link that will take you all through the war.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/1860-1869_Atlantic_hurricane_seasons

Just a few to look at.

Adrian Cox

[idlewild]

Re: Hurricanes during the War

Again a description of a hurricane in the mountains..more likely a tornado:

December 9/60 --What a dreadful day! I had yet to learn what a hurricane up in the mountains was like. I can hardly describe what passed out of doors. We heard a frightful roaring. When we tried to open the door a jar, the chalet was filled with a whirlwind of snow; the wind rushed in with such fury that we had great difficulty in closing the door again. We were obliged to drop the trap of the chimney; and, besides, it was impossible to light a fire, because the smoke was continually driven down again. We ate our milk without boiling. My grandfather keeps up my courage by his calm behavior, as well as by his grave and pious words. At the time when one would say that the wrath of God was hanging over us, he speaks to me of His compassion and His mercy. On trying a second time to open the door, we found that a mass of snow had fallen back upon it, so that we are completely imprisoned, as before. What I most regret is my window; it is drifted up again. Decidedly, as soon as the weather permits, I will make a fresh attempt to regain a little light and liberty.

Out of curiosity, do you know the location where that account came from? From the description and date I would wager that was a blizzard with white-out conditions they were experiencing rather than a tornado.