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Documentation of Atlantic Tropical Cyclones Changes in HURDAT -
Second Phase of the Re-analysis Project
****************************************************************************
By Chris Landsea, Craig Anderson, Noel Charles, Gil Clark, Jason Dunion,
Charlie Neumann, Mark Zimmer, and Jose Fernandez-Partagas.
Special thanks to: Sim Aberson, Auguste Boissonnade, Emery Boose,
Mike Chenoweth, Hugh Cobb, Jose Colon, Paul Hebert, Paul Hungerford,
Brian Jones, Lorne Ketch, Cary Mock, Ramon Perez Suarez, David Roth,
Al Sandrik, and David Vallee.
Introduction
1) Original re-analysis efforts completed in 2000 provided an addition
to HURDAT for the years 1851 to 1885, based upon the encyclopedic work of
Partagas and Diaz as well as other sources. Unless otherwise stated,
observations mentioned here are from the Partagas and Diaz reports.
2) In August 2002, a re-analysis of 1992's Hurricane Andrew's intensity was
approved and incorporated into HURDAT. A brief synopsis of the results
of this re-analysis are provided here. A full description of presentations
made and minutes of deliberations are provided on-line at:
http://www.aoml.noaa.gov/hrd/hurdat/index.html
3) Re-analysis work completed in 2003 focussed upon the period of 1886 to
1910, with some additional changes to the earlier 1851 to 1885 era. Again
the main sources utilized for this effort were the Partagas and Diaz
reports and all observations described come from these reports unless
otherwise explicitly referenced.
*******************************************************************************
1851/01 - 2003 ADDITION:
00001 06/25/1851 M= 1 1 SNBR= 1 NOT NAMED XING=1 SSS=1
00002 06/25* 0 0 0 0* 0 0 0 0*285 965 70 0* 0 0 0 0
00003 HRBTX1
Ellis' (1988) Hurricane History of the Texas Coast (and mirrored in Roth's
(1997b) Texas Hurricane History website) includes the following description:
"June 25th, 1851: A short but severe storm which passed over Matagorda Bay and
was described as the most disastrous experienced there to date. Caused
widespread damage at Saluria on Matagorda Island where saltwater contaminated
the fresh water cisterns. Wind damage at Port Lavaca was widespread and
every wharf destroyed. Indianola suffered damage to waterfront buildings,
but the storm tide did not cover the spit of land at Power Horn."
Based upon this account, a single-point hurricane is analyzed and added to the
best track database. It is quite possible that this hurricane was Category 2
(or stronger) given the sparseness of the population in the region.
1851/01 - 2004 REVISION:
00001 06/25/1851 M= 1 1 SNBR= 1 NOT NAMED XING=1 SSS=1
00001 06/25/1851 M= 4 1 SNBR= 1 NOT NAMED XING=1 SSS=1
*
00002 06/25* 0 0 0 0* 0 0 0 0*285 965 70 0* 0 0 0 0
00002 06/25*280 948 80 0*280 954 80 0*280 960 80 0*281 965 80 0
*** *** ** *** *** ** *** *** ** *** *** **
(The 26th through the 28th are new to HURDAT.)
00002 06/26*282 970 70 0*283 976 60 0*284 983 60 0*286 989 50 0
00002 06/27*290 994 50 0*295 998 40 0*3001000 40 0*3051001 40 0
00002 06/28*3101002 40 0* 0 0 0 0* 0 0 0 0* 0 0 0 0
00003 HRBTX1
U.S. Hurricane Landfall Data
----------------------------
#/Date Time Lat Lon Max Saffir- Central States
Winds Simpson Pressure Affected
1-6/25/1851 1200Z 28.5N 96.5W 70kt 1 (985mb) BTX1
1-6/25/1851 2000Z 28.1N 96.7W 80kt 1 (977mb) BTX1
**** **** **** ** ***
Prof. Cary Mock of the University of South Carolina obtained some observations
that pertain to this hurricane from Corpus Christi and Fort Brown.
Additionally, Prof. Mock and Mr. David Roth of the Hydrometeorological
Prediction Center obtained newspaper accounts of the impact of its landfall
in Texas. (The observations were primarily from Army Forts that observed the
weather four times a day: near sunrise, 9 a.m., 3 p.m., and 9 p.m. Winds
could range from a range of 0 to 10, with a 6 being equivalent to about
40 kt gusts, a 7 about 50 kt gusts and an 8 about 65 kt gusts.) A
search of the NCDC archives revealed, in addition to those provided
by Prof. Mock, observations from the following Texas forts: Fort
Graham, Fort Mcintosh, Fort Croghan, Fort Lincoln, Fort Martin Scott,
Fort Ringgold, San Antonio, Fort Merrill, Fort Duncan and New Wild.
Relevant observations are shown below:
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Corpus Christi, Texas:
Jun. 25, 1851 - ENE1 NE1 NE4 NW1 80/85/89/83
Jun. 26, 1851 - S5 SSW2 SSW3 ESE4 74/76/78/74 rain 1am to 6 1/2 pm 3.00"
Jun. 27, 1851 - S1 S3 SE6 SSE6 79/83/88/83
Fort Mcintosh (Laredo), Texas:
Jun. 25, 1851 - E2 SE2 SE2 NE2 73/93/98/88
Jun. 26, 1851 - N2 NW2 NW2 SE3 75/92/98/83 rain began ?
Jun. 27, 1851 - NW2 E2 SW2 SE2 70/78/92/79 rain ended ? 2.48"
Fort Croghan (30.5N, 98.3W), Texas:
Jun. 25, 1851 - S3 SE4 SE4 SE3 75/85/95/80
Jun. 26, 1851 - NE2 E3 E3 E3 70/80/86/82 0.19"
Jun. 27, 1851 - S3 SE4 S4 SE4 82/81/82/79
Notes from Jun. 26th: At 10 A.M. a slight shower. Showers from 11 P.M.
through the night.
Fort Lincoln (29.4N, 99.5W), Texas (no temperatures):
Jun. 25, 1851 - SE1 SE2 SE3 SE2
Jun. 26, 1851 - NW3 N4 N4 SE8 11 a.m. rain began, 9 p.m. rain ended 0.8"
Jun. 27, 1851 - SE1 E4 ENE5 SE2 9 a.m. rain began, 3 p.m. rain ended 0.35"
Notes from Jun 26th: Rain fell in showers at intervals, accompanied by
heavy winds.
Fort Martin Scott (30.2N, 98.8W), Texas (no precipitation totals):
Jun. 25, 1851 - SE1 SE1 NE2 SE1 70/80/93/74
Jun. 26, 1851 - E1 NE3 NE3 SE1 69/76/82/71 rain at intervals during day
Jun. 27, 1851 - E1 SE2 SW3 SE4 68/76/83/72 rain at intervals during day
San Antonio, Texas:
Jun. 25, 1851 - E1 E2 N2 NE3 75/81/87/82
Jun. 26, 1851 - N1 NE4 NE4 E2 72/78/74/72
Jun. 27, 1851 - E2 SE1 SE1 NE3 70/74/78/74 rain began 11 a.m.
Addendum: Rain ended on the 28th at 11 a.m. 1.00"
Fort Merrill (28.2N, 98.1W), Texas:
Jun. 25, 1851 - 0 NE2 NE4 NE5 77/85/91/81
Jun. 26, 1851 - W5 SW5 S2 S2 75/85/77/82 rain began 6 a.m.
Jun. 27, 1851 - S1 S4 S3 S4 78/83/82/80 rain ended 3 a.m. 1.25"
Fort Duncan (Eagle Pass), Texas:
Jun. 25, 1851 - E2 E2 S2 S3 80/84/95/89
Jun. 26, 1851 - E2 N2 N3 N2 81/83/94/87
Jun. 27, 1851 - N2 E2 E2 S3 80/82/90/84
Notes: No rain on these dates. Wind apparently reported to nearest 90
degree interval.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
The Daily Picayune (New Orleans) July 9, 1851, p.2
This vessel [The Maria Burt] left Galveston on the 24th ult. That night
a heavy gale commenced blowing, and the next day, about 10 A.M., the
steamer put back for Sabine Pass.
The Matagorda Tribune, June 30, 1851
Violent Gale on Matagorda Bay - The Shipping driven Ashore - Several Houses
Blown down at Indianola, Saluria, and Port Cavallo.
One of the heaviest gales that has perhaps ever been experienced in this
section of country, occurred within the past week. Early on Wednesday
morning [June 25th], it commenced raining furiously, and continued to pour
down in torrents for nearly the whole of that day and the following night,
with few intermissions, accompanied by violent gales of wind, frequently
veering from the east, northeast and southeast. Although we believe no
material damage has been done hereabouts, beyond perhaps the leveling of some
of the more exposed garden patches, the result, we understand, has been
calamitous to the shipping and to our neighbors, situated on the lower bay.
From Port Lavaca, we have not, as yet, had any tidings, but Indianola,
Saluria, and Port Cavallo, appear to have suffered considerable loss
from the fury of the gale. At the former place, we learn, every wharf has been
carried away, and a number of houses had either been leveled to the earth, or
blown from their foundations. At Saluria, considerable damage has also been
Done. Port Cavallo, however, has escaped with less injury, as will be seen by
The following extract from a letter from thence, addressed to a gentleman in
this city, under date of 27th June.
The loss and injury sustained among the shipping on the bay, has
doubtless been far greater than we have yet had any particulars of.
We learn at the present writing by a vessel just up from below, that
the Steamship Mexico was driven ashore opposite, or near Powder
Horn Bayou, and was still lying on the flats in that vicinity when our
informant left - that the depot or freight steamer Portland shared the
same fate, together with several other smaller crafts. The steamer
Wm. Penn was driven ashore from her anchorage near Saluria, and
will probably be a total loss.
Port Cavallo, June 27, 1851
Our place has been visited by the most terrible storm which has occurred
on this coast within the memory of the oldest inhabitant. It commenced
Wednesday the 25th inst. The sun rose clear, with the exception of a few
heavy clouds hanging to the northward, but the tide commenced rising with
unprecedented rapidity - the storm in the meantime increasing to that degree,
that by 4 P.M., it was blowing a perfect hurricane. Thus it continued all
night, coming with frightful violence. What with the torrents of rain, the
howling of the winds and the roaring of the sea, it was a scene baffling
all description. The damage here had been quite trifling, considering the
great strength of the gale. Mr. Doerow had one of the chimneys to his new
house blown over, and his fields much injured - the fences being generally
prostrated. The warehouse and wharf stood it bravely. The wharf is uninjured -
the warehouse had a few blocks washed from under it, which is the only damage
it sustained. Mr. Maverick's house was blown from its blocks - that is to say,
the small house in his yard. This is the total amount of damage done here,
except a few more fences blown down.
The schr. Velasco, with a heavy cargo of cotton and molasses, returned
back over the bar, having sprung a leak - She made fast to the wharf there and
commenced discharging, but the gale and leak still increasing, she was winded
around on the flat below the wharf where she now lies.
The schr. Buena Vista, lying at anchor on the Saluria side, dragged and
went ashore. The morning she got off, and came to on this side.
Mr. Harrison's pilot boat went ashore on the Saluria side, and is a complete
wreck. Mr. Givins' house was blown from the blocks and broke in two. Judge
Rose's warehouse at Saluria was also blown from the blocks. Gen.
Summerville's house is blown and destroyed. Dr. McCreary's house in much
injured - gallery gone.
In addition to the above, a letter was last night received by Messrs.
Doswell, Hill & Co., from Capt. Talbot, dated on Tuesday, the 26th ult., which
states that the freight of the Mexico had been discharged before the heavy blow
came on. The Mexico was then dropped astern of the Portland, and both anchors
thrown out. At 10 P.M. on Wednesday, the gale increased to great violence, and
grew more violent until 11 1/2, when the Portland broke adrift and went ashore.
The Mexico had then gotten steam up, and was working full stroke with 20 inches
of steam, and two anchors out with 60 fathoms of chain, but all could not
resist the violence of the storm. About one o'clock, the Mexico broke from
her anchorage, and was driven on a hard bottom with six feet of water.
Capt. Boehner says he never before saw so high a tide in that bay. All
Capt. Talbot's hands were at work getting out coal, and every exertion was
being made to get her off, but the captain has very little hope of success
until he can have the assistance of the Louisiana. Captain Talbot adds:
Captain Boehner's lighter is ashore, the Wm. Penn is a total wreck, all
the wharves at Indianola are gone, and some few houses prostrated. The
J. Smith, although sunk decks under water, was driven three quarters of a
mile, and is pretty much all to pieces.
The Advocate, Victoria TX, July 3, 1851, p. 2
A storm of wind and rain, unprecedented in violence in this region, passed
over this place, in common with every other point from which we have heard,
from the Bay and Gulf immediately below us as high up as the Western portion
of De Witt county, and extending as far West as the "Mission of Refugio,"
on Wednesday night of last week, (the 25th and 26th ult.) The damage done
to buildings, fences, fruit and shade trees in this place is by no means
inconsiderable. No serious injury occurred to any building that was
inhabited, or occupied, except by workmen engaged in the completion of the
same.
At Saluria, we learn, several buildings were injured by the violence of the
gale and the wash of the tide. Another evil resulting from the storm there,
we understand, is the mixture of the water and spray from the Gulf with the
water of the cisterns of the place, to such an extent as to render it unfit
for use.
At Indianola, and its vicinity, the effects of the storm are given somewhat
in detail by our correspondent. It is spoken of us being the severest storm
ever experienced in that place.
At Lavaca, in slip from the office of the "Commercial," informs us the
ravages of the storm were quite disastrous to property, though most happily,
not to life. Our friend of the "Commercial" says:
Every one of the wharves belonging to the merchant of this place was
destroyed. Of some, scarce vestige was left. The warehouse of
Mr. Ross was swept away by the violence of the tide, whilst other
sustained slighter injuries.
The schooner William & Morris, trading between this place and
Galveston, and which was anchored at the wharf of R. M. Forbes & Co.,
was thrown by the fury of the waves on the beach, where she remains
high and dry. Ornamental and fruit trees have been blown down,
fences and pilings prostrated. We have not learned the amount of damage
sustained by this destructive tornado, but it will be several thousand dollars.
Some damage has been done to dwellings and farm houses in the country, not
only in the valley of the Guadelupe, but in the Colette settlement. The
injury done to corn in all this region will be considerable. Some fields
have been laid entirely level with the earth, and place beyond the
possibility of yielding more than one third of a crop.
Quite an amount of timber along the Guadelupe and San Antonio rivers,
between this and the Espiritu Santa Bay, have been blown down and destroyed.
At Carlos' Ranch, we heard quite a number of buildings are prostrated. The
damages done to the property there is considerable, and will be severely
felt, as it falls upon those who are poorly able to sustain such losses.
At the Mission, in Refugio county, the progress and force of the storm were
manifested in the injury done to buildings, fences and trees. In one
instance, it is reported, one of the residents of the place - a female at
that - while attempting to return to her house on foot, across an open place,
was blown out quite a distance on to the prairie, and by the time she could
retrace her steps against the wind and reach the village, she was almost
entirely divested of her clothing.
At Goliad, the severity of the storm was felt, we understand, in the
demolition of several buildings, and other injuries done to property. It is
somewhat remarkable, that in all the accounts we have thus far received, no
other injury appears to have accrued to human life than that occasioned by
exposure to the rain, at an unseasonable hour of the night. It is possible,
however, when we come to receive the history of the storm more in detail,
this happy exemption will be dashed by incidents of a painful and heart-
rendering character.
Since the above was in type, we learn, from a gentleman just arrived from
Espiritu Santa Bay, that the houses of Messrs. Kuykendall, Burns, Hays,
Tucker, and Judge Duke, in that vicinity, were all demolished, or seriously
injured by the gale. One or two persons are said to have been more or less
injured, either by falling timbers, or by exposure to the storm. Mrs. Burns
is said to have dies the next morning after the occurrence of the storm,
having been sick for sometime previous.
We regret to learn that the new mail Steamship Mexico is so hard aground in
the Bay, that it will be necessary to take out her engines, &c., before she
can be removed from her present dangerous position.
The Daily Picayune (New Orleans) July 11, 1851, p.2
More of the Texas Gale - Indianola, Texas, June 27, 1851
[To the] Editors Picayune - I have to advise you of the effects of one of
the worst gales every known on this bay. The storm commenced on the 25th,
and continued till daylight of the 26th. The wind prevailed from northeast
to southeast. The wharves at this place were carried away; the steamboat
Wm Penn was blown aground, filled with water, and was badly damaged; all
the small boats in the bay were stranded and greatly injured. Several
small houses on the water's edge were more or less injured, and
considerable damage was done in various ways.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
The hurricane's landfall near Matagorda Bay was not closely observed from
any of the fort locations, though Fort Merrill likely was just to the
south of the inland center just before 12 UTC on the 26th and Fort Lincoln
was just to the north of the inland center around 00 UTC on the 27th.
From the impacts described in the newspaper accounts - especially the
peak winds shifting from northeast to southeast in Indianola and only
easterly component in Matagorda - indicate a landfall southwest of those
locations. The observations then indicated a track at landfall toward the
northwest with a turn to the north over the next two days as it decayed. It
is estimated that the storm dissipated early on the 28th over central
Texas. Thus a track for this hurricane has now been attempted and data
from the ship "Maria Burt" allow for a portion of track to be determined
on the 25th before landfall. The winds are increased slightly at landfall to
better match the original damage descriptions as well as to account for a
long-lasting system after landfall (estimated 65 kt gusts at 00 UTC
on the 27th at Fort Lincoln). It is noted that high winds seen at some
forts on the 27th were due to straight-line southeasterly flow not
directly related to the hurricane itself.
*******************************************************************************
1851/02: No major changes from Partagas and Diaz's (1995a) analysis (was
storm #1 in Partagas and Diaz), except to assume a date of July 5th for
storm "before July 7th". No track available, only one point. Storm
determined to be a hurricane based upon destruction that occurred in Tampico.
********************************************************************************
1851/03: No major changes from Partagas and Diaz's (1995a) analysis (was
storm #2 in Partagas and Diaz), though storm documentation is somewhat weak.
No track available, only one point.
********************************************************************************
1851/04: No major changes from Partagas and Diaz's (1995a) analysis (was
storm #3 in Partagas and Diaz). Inland winds over Hispanola, Cuba and SE US
reduced via methodology of Kaplan and DeMaria's (1995) inland decay model,
but windspeed values over Hispanola and Cuba had an accelerated rate of
decay due to the enhanced topography. Storm tide value of 12' obtained from
Ludlum (1963) and Barnes (1998) for St. Marks, Florida. Storm determined to
have reached major hurricane status based upon storm tide and extreme damage
at landfall. Ludlum also called this storm the "Great Middle Florida
Hurricane of August 1851". The best track provided appears to describe the
full life cycle of this tropical cyclone (from its formation as a tropical
storm to its peak as a major hurricane until its dissipation below tropical
storm strength).
********************************************************************************
1851/05: No major changes from Partagas and Diaz's (1995a) analysis (was
storm #4 in Partagas and Diaz). Storm assumed to be stationary for 4 days.
********************************************************************************
1851/06: No major changes from Partagas and Diaz's (1995a) analysis.
Inland winds over NE US reduced via Kaplan and DeMaria's (1995) inland decay
model. The best track provided appears to describe the full life cycle of
this tropical cyclone (from its formation as a tropical storm until its
dissipation below tropical storm strength).
********************************************************************************
1851 - Additional Notes:
1. The tropical storm listed as #5 in 1851 in Partagas and Diaz (1995a) was
not included into the HURDAT because of the evidence suggesting that the
storm did not actually exist. Partagas and Diaz had found an unsupported
reference to it in Tannehill (1938), but no other information.
********************************************************************************
1852/01: Utilized Ho's (1989) work - apparently not used in Partagas and
Diaz's (1995a) analysis - to alter the track and intensity near the US.
Inland winds over SE US reduced via Kaplan and DeMaria's (1995) inland decay
model. FL Keys experienced hurricane conditions, but not landfall of center.
Storm tide value of 12' obtained from Ho (1989) and Barnes (1998) for Mobile,
Alabama. Using Ho's suggested central pressure of 961 mb at landfall in AL/MS
gives 99 kt with the Gulf of Mexico wind-pressure relationship, thus utilizing
100 kt in best track - a major hurricane. Storm is also known as the "Great
Mobile Hurricane of 1852" from Ludlum (1963).
1852/01 - 2003 REVISION:
00165 08/19/1852 M= 9 1 SNBR= 5 NOT NAMED XING=1 SSS=3
00165 08/19/1852 M=12 1 SNBR= 6 NOT NAMED XING=1 SSS=3
** *
00170 08/19*205 671 60 0*207 680 60 0*209 688 60 0*211 696 60 0
00175 08/20*212 706 70 0*215 719 70 0*217 730 70 0*219 740 70 0
00180 08/21*221 749 80 0*222 761 80 0*226 771 80 0*229 781 80 0
00185 08/22*232 793 90 0*235 801 90 0*238 811 90 0*242 821 90 0
00190 08/23*247 831 90 0*252 839 90 0*257 846 90 0*262 853 90 0
00195 08/24*267 860 100 0*272 866 100 0*277 871 100 0*282 875 100 0
00200 08/25*286 878 100 0*288 880 100 0*291 881 100 0*294 884 100 0
00200 08/25*286 878 100 0*288 880 100 0*291 882 100 0*294 884 100 0
***
00205 08/26*298 886 100 0*302 886 100 961*306 885 90 0*312 881 70 0
00210 08/27*319 876 50 0*325 869 40 0*330 861 40 0*334 850 40 0
00210 08/27*318 874 50 0*323 863 40 0*328 848 40 0*332 828 40 0
*** *** *** *** *** *** *** ***
(28th to the 30th are new to HURDAT)
00211 08/28*335 805 40 0*338 782 40 0*340 760 40 0*344 742 40 0
00212 08/29*352 728 50 0*364 718 50 0*380 708 50 0*396 696 50 0
00213 08/30*410 680 50 0* 0 0 0 0* 0 0 0 0* 0 0 0 0
00215 HRBFL1 AL3 MS3AFL1
00215 HRBFL1 AL3 MS3 LA2AFL1
***
U.S. Hurricane Landfall Data
----------------------------
#/Date Time Lat Lon Max Saffir- Central States
Winds Simpson Pressure Affected
1-8/26/1852 0600Z 30.2N 88.6W 100kt 3 961mb AL3,MS3,AFL1
1-8/26/1852 0600Z 30.2N 88.6W 100kt 3 961mb AL3,MS3,LA2,AFL1
***
Roth (1997a) provided the following description of this hurricane's
impacts in Louisiana's Chandeleur Island:
"Four new channels were cut through Chandeleur Island. The storm claimed
the 55 foot tall Chandeleur Island lighthouse and replaced it with a broad 10
foot deep lagoon. The keepers were rescued three days later, on the verge of
starvation."
On this basis, the hurricane is also listed as causing Category 2 hurricane
conditions in Louisiana.
Prof. Cary Mock of the University of South Carolina uncovered evidence
that this system crossed over Georgia and South Carolina as a tropical
storm and modestly redeveloped in the Atlantic. Thus three additional
days (28th to the 30th) are included for this storm into HURDAT. Details
from his research are provided below:
Georgia Information on the Great Mobile Hurricane
-------------------------------------------------
Savannah GA. Elevation 77 ft. Observer: John F Posey. August 1852
Date Time Temp. Pres. Wind Cloud. Rain
8/25 6am 77.2 30.189 SE 0
8/25 2pm 87.1 30.141 SE2 6
8/25 10pm 81.0 30.100 SSE 0
8/26 6am 77.6 30.058 ESE 3
8/26 2pm 87.0 30.011 S 5
8/26 10pm 81.5 30.005 SSE 5
8/27 6am 79.0 29.934 SE 10
8/27 2pm 83.0 29.857 SSE4 10
8/27 10pm 80.4 29.778 SW4 10 0.164
8/28 6am 75.0 29.885 S 0
8/28 2pm 84.5 29.960 WSW 5
8/28 10pm 81.2 30.086 WNW 4
Additional Observations
Date Time Temp. Pres. Wind Cloud. Remarks
8/27 8am M 29.901 SSE2 10 Began to blow
8/27 11am 80.0 29.893 SSE4 10
8/27 12mid 84.6 29.893 SSE4 10
8/27 1pm 82.8 29.873 SSE4 10
8/27 2pm 83.0 29.857 SSE4 10 raining slowly at short times
8/27 3:40 83.0 29.793 SSE3 9
8/27 5:25 82.5 29.780 SSE4 10
8/27 7:38 80.7 29.779 S4 10
8/27 10pm 80.4 29.778 SW4 10 rained after ten o'clock 0.165
Mercer University, Buford GA, Prof. J.E. Willet, August 1852, 400 ft?
(Note that Prof. Mock determined that the pressure readings were
unreliable because of an uncalibrated barometer.)
Date Time Att. Ther. Pres.Wind (1-6) Cloud.
8/27 10:10am 75 29.15
8/27 11:45am 76 29.09
8/27 2:00pm SSE3 10
8/27 2:40pm 76 28.96
8/27 3:40pm 76 28.94
8/27 4:50pm 76 28.91
8/27 6:00pm 76 28.90
8/27 8:00pm 75 28.90
8/28 5:30am 70 29.12
8/28 6:30am 70.5 29.15
8/28 7:00am W2 5
8/28 8:20am 71 29.20
8/28 9:30am 72 29.23
8/28 2:00pm NNW2 9
8/28 4:00pm 82 29.32
Remarks:
8/27 7am-3:40pm: Rain continues almost constant sometimes violent
8/27 4:50pm: Rain continues more moderate
8/27 6:00pm: Rain continues more moderate Min Baro observed
8/27 8:00pm: Rain ending. Wind veered SSE, SE, SSE, SE, NW
8/28 5:30am-8:20am: Clearing away
8/28 9:30am: Clearing away. Perfectly clear at 10 a.m.
8/28 2:00pm: Total of Rain during Storm (say 27 hours) 3.925 Inches
8/30 12noon: Maximum Barometer after Storm (29.63)
Whitemarsh Island (Savannah) GA. Elevation 18 ft.
Observer: Richard Gibson. August 1852
Date Time Wind Cloud. Rain Remarks
8/25 Sunr. 0 8
8/25 9am SE3 5
8/25 3pm SE3 7
8/25 9pm S1 9 A sprinkle of Rain only fell
8/26 Sunr. 0 8
8/26 9am SW2 7
8/26 3pm S3 5
8/26 9pm S1 6 0.06 Weather looked stormy again
8/27 Sunr. SSW2 6
8/27 9am S4 5
8/27 3pm S5 7
8/27 9pm S5 7 Very little Rain. The wind
has increased gradually since Sunrise and tonight is blowing a Gale
8/28 Sunr. SW2 9
8/28 9am W4 8
8/28 3pm W3 6
8/28 9pm 0 7 0.02 The wind moderated after
9 o'clock last night
South Carolina Information on the Great Mobile Hurricane
--------------------------------------------------------
At Charleston, high wind on afternoon of 27th, and until midnight; wind S,
very little rain. (Too much material to reproduce here in entirety - see
Charleston Courier article by Lewis R. Gibbes on this storm in
September 10th issue).
J.L. Dawsons Meteorological Observations from the Charleston Courier.
Date Temp (7/2/9). Pres (7/2/9). Wind (sr/4pm) Wx.
8/25 80/84/82 30.246/30.178/30.156 SE1/SE2 Fair
8/26 81/86/83 30.114/30.020/30.018 SW2/SW2 Fair
8/27 82/84/83 30.002/29.928/29.876 SW3/SE4 Rain
0.07" rainfall
8/28 80/84/81 29.008/29.982/30.196 SW3/SW3 Fair
Black Oak Agricultural Society, Pinopolis, SC. (elevation 300 ft)
Date Pres (sr/2/9). Wind Wx. Rain
8/25 29.48/.40/.35 SE changeable
8/26 29.33/.35/.27 SE clear/cloudy
8/27 29.23/.20/.10 SE/S Clear/rain/high Wind 0.05
8/28 29.10/.23/.32 WSW clear/drizzle/cloudy
8/29 29.40/.45/.45 W clear
Rev. Clark B. Stewart (Laurens): 25th - Rain, heavy in Evening 26th -
The Rain fell from an early hour of the day - in perfect torrents until
after night some time - My fence on the Creek all gone - only 1/2 an acre
of Corn in that field - Sand left in abundance - God to praised for his
goodness. Uncle John Stewarts saw mill all gone and half the dam left -
Broke and all gone - Bridges; Mill Factorys &c. nearly all gone - Great
loss sustained in this country
Jacob Schirmer (Charleston): 30th Freshes dreadful Account from the up
country, Bridges washed away, Crops destroyed cars could not reach Hamburg,
great fears of the Columbia Bridge 31st Weather the past Month a good deal
of rain and hot Sun, the whole Country is inundated with water
Jesse James Hammond (Silver Bluff): 27th - there is a fresh 28th -The
rain yesterday not heavy but enough for the season - windy River rising
Thomas Chaplin (St Helena): Storm I neglected to state that the wind
commenced blowing violently on Friday [Aug. 28] about midday, from south.
Continued till Saturday morning, with driving rain Friday night. I hope
this is the [last] storm of the season for it has done little damage & a
trifle in comparison with the storms about the same time last year.
Alexander Glennie: 27th near Georgetown SC- [late in the day] - SW. Gale
[pressure is about 29.76] 28th SW, Clear, High Wind.
James Davis Trezevant (Orangeburg Dist.): 27th - Commenced raining about
12 N and rained heavily nearly all the afternoon 28th - Commenced blowing
and raining heavily during the night and continued to blow and rain until
after sunrise when it cleared off. The river very full today, and rising
fast. 30th - The river came to a stand today about 1 P.M. The water was
4 ft 10 in higher than the May fresh of 1846 and more than 2 ft higher than
the great Yazoo fresh of 1792[6?].
Charleston Courier, Friday, Sept. 10:
Georgetown, S.C., September 8. - The Weather and the Crops. - The rainy
weather which we announced as commencing in June last has continued up to
the present time with some short intervals; and early much annoyed the
labour in hoeing and killing grass, and during the last month was greatly
detrimental to the curing of blades
The great fall of rain on the 27th and 28th of August, and which
spread vast injury from Mobile to New York, on the various rivers, is to-day
with us on the Santee and Pee Dee rivers, and is likely to do much damage to
the rice crop, and especially to those who plant the most fruitful tide
lands highest up. All the lands in the neighborhood of Lynch's causeway on
Santee was under water yesterday. From Pee Dee we heard yesterday and the
water was not then over the banks; but it is feared that to-day, the
freshet is upon all the rice. The wind is now high at N.E., and has been so
for several days preventing the freshet from going to sea. - Winyah Observer
New York Herald, September 3, 1852
Aug. 30, lat 39, lon 71. Spoke brig Extra (Br), from Savannah for Halifax;
29th and 30th, experienced a heavy gale from NW.
********************************************************************************
1852/02: No major changes from Partagas and Diaz's (1995a) analysis. Storm
is also known as "San Lorenzo" in Puerto Rico from impact there.
********************************************************************************
1852/03: No major changes from Partagas and Diaz's (1995a) analysis. Inland
winds over Florida reduced via Kaplan and DeMaria's (1995) inland decay
model. The storm is determined to have reached hurricane status both in the
Gulf of Mexico and again over the Atlantic Ocean based upon ship reports from
the "Union" and the "Emily Banning".
1852/03 - 2003 REVISION:
00255 09/09/1852 M= 5 3 SNBR= 8 NOT NAMED XING=1 SSS=1
00255 09/09/1852 M= 5 3 SNBR= 9 NOT NAMED XING=1 SSS=1
*
00260 09/09*264 904 70 0*265 896 70 0*266 888 70 0*266 881 70 0
00265 09/10*268 874 70 0*269 866 70 0*271 861 70 0*273 854 70 0
00265 09/10*268 874 70 0*269 866 70 0*271 861 70 0*273 856 70 0
***
00270 09/11*274 846 70 0*276 838 70 0*278 828 70 0*284 816 60 0
00270 09/11*275 851 70 0*277 846 70 0*278 840 70 0*279 834 70 0
*** *** *** *** *** *** *** **
00275 09/12*289 805 50 0*295 793 60 0*302 778 70 0*310 765 70 0
00275 09/12*280 828 70 0*281 822 60 0*282 815 50 0*285 805 50 0
*** *** ** *** *** *** *** ** *** *** **
00280 09/13*318 750 60 0*325 735 60 0*333 721 50 0*342 706 50 0
00280 09/13*292 790 60 0*304 770 70 0*320 745 70 0*340 715 70 0
*** *** *** *** ** *** *** ** *** *** **
00285 HRBFL1
U.S. Hurricane Landfall Data
----------------------------
#/Date Time Lat Lon Max Saffir- Central States
Winds Simpson Pressure Affected
3-9/11/1852$ 1200Z 27.8N 82.8W 70kt 1 (985mb) BFL1
3-9/12/1852$ 0000Z 28.0N 82.8W 70kt 1 (985mb) BFL1
** **** ****
Mr. Brian Jones of the University of Miami uncovered the following
observations from the historic Army Surgeon weather archives from the
Florida fort data:
Fort Meade (27.7N, 81.8W):
Date Sunrise 13Z 19Z 01Z
9/11/1852 NE-1 NE-1 NE-1 NE-1 .55" showers and violent storm
during the night
9/12/1852 W-8 W-6 NE-1 NE-1
Military Post Wind Force Scale
(values are estimates of the highest gusts)
-------------------------------------------
1 - Very light breeze 2 mph (2 kt)
2 - Gentle breeze 4 mph (4 kt)
3 - Fresh breeze 12 mph (10 kt)
4 - Strong breeze 25 mph (22 kt)
5 - High breeze 35 mph (30 kt)
6 - Gale 45 mph (39 kt)
7 - Strong gale 60 mph (51 kt)
8 - Violent gale 75 mph (65 kt)
9 - Hurricane 90 mph (78 kt)
10 - Most violent 100 mph (87 kt)
These observations indicate that while the track of the hurricane
and its intensity are reasonable, the track of the hurricane's passage
across Florida was about 12 hours too early. Such a discrepancy
is not implausible, given the relative scarce and ambiguous data
obtained in the original Partagas and Diaz (1995a) study. Track
and intensity values adjusted accordingly from the 10th to the
14th.
********************************************************************************
1852/04: No major changes from Partagas and Diaz's (1995a) analysis. Storm
is determined to have reached hurricane status from multiple ship reports.
********************************************************************************
1852/05: Added an additional day - Oct. 11th - to track based upon ship
"Peerless" in Partagas and Diaz's (1995a) writeup. Inland winds over SE US
reduced via Kaplan and DeMaria's (1995) inland decay model. Storm tide value
of 7' obtained from Ludlum (1963) and Barnes (1998) for Newport, Florida.
Storm is determined to have reached hurricane status from destruction
in Jamaica, conditions from the ship "Hebe" and damage that occurred in
Newport. Storm also known in Ludlum as the "Middle Florida Storm of
October 1852".
********************************************************************************
1853/01: No major changes from Partagas and Diaz's (1995a) analysis. No
track available, only one point.
********************************************************************************
1853/02: No major changes from Partagas and Diaz's (1995a) analysis. No
track available, only one point.
********************************************************************************
1853/03: No major changes from Partagas and Diaz's (1995a) analysis.
Central pressure measurement of 924 mb with the southern wind-pressure
relationship gives 132 kt - 130 kt utilized, a major hurricane. Ludlum
(1963) named this system the "Cape Verde and Cape Hatteras Hurricane
(offshore)".
********************************************************************************
1853/04: No major changes from Partagas and Diaz's (1995a) analysis. Storm
is determined to have reached major hurricane status from observations
taken from the ships "Gilbert Gallatin", "Harvester Queen" and "Chesapeake".
********************************************************************************
1853/05: No major changes from Partagas and Diaz's (1995a) analysis. No
track available, only one point.
********************************************************************************
1853/06: No major changes from Partagas and Diaz's (1995a) analysis. Storm
is determined to have reached hurricane status based upon reports from
ships "Samuel and Edward" and "Werada".
********************************************************************************
1853/07: No major changes from Partagas and Diaz's (1995a) analysis. No
track available, only one point.
********************************************************************************
1853/08: No major changes from Partagas and Diaz's (1995a) analysis. Storm
assumed to be stationary for 2 days. Storm is determined to have reached
hurricane status based upon several ship reports.
1853/08 - REVISION:
00565 10/19/1853 M= 2 8 SNBR= 18 NOT NAMED XING=0 SSS=0
00565 10/19/1853 M= 4 8 SNBR= 19 NOT NAMED XING=1 SSS=1
* ** * *
00570 10/19*275 785 70 0*275 785 70 0*275 785 70 0*275 785 70 0
00570 10/19*275 785 70 0*280 789 70 0*285 793 80 0*289 796 80 0
*** *** *** *** ** *** *** **
00575 10/20*275 785 70 0*275 785 70 0*275 785 70 0*275 785 70 0
00575 10/20*293 799 80 0*297 802 80 0*300 805 90 0*303 807 90 0
*** *** ** *** *** ** *** *** ** *** *** **
(The 21st and 22nd are new to HURDAT.)
00577 10/21*306 809 90 0*309 809 90 0*313 806 80 0*317 801 80 0
00579 10/22*321 794 80 0*325 785 80 0* 0 0 0 0* 0 0 0 0
00580 HR
00580 HR GA1
***
Analysis of historical tropical storms and hurricanes impacting Georgia and
Northeast Florida by Sandrik (2001) shows that the hurricane moved northward
to just offshore Georgia and caused hurricane conditions along the Georgia
coast. This was based upon ship reports and wind reports from Jacksonville,
Brunswick and Charleston. (The hurricane was previously listed as being
stationary for two days.)
********************************************************************************
1853 - Additional Notes:
1. The tropical storm listed as #9 in 1853 in Partagas and Diaz (1995a) was
not included into the HURDAT because of evidence suggesting that the storm
did not actually exist. Partagas and Diaz had found an unsupported reference
to it in Garcia-Bonnelly (1958), but no other information.
********************************************************************************
1854/01 - 2004 ADDITION:
00621 06/25/1854 M= 3 1 SNBR= 20 NOT NAMED XING=1 SSS=1
00622 06/25*260 925 60 0*260 930 60 0*260 935 70 0*260 940 70 0
00623 06/26*260 947 70 0*261 957 70 0*262 970 70 0*264 985 50 0
00624 06/27*2681000 40 0*2741015 40 0*2801030 40 0* 0 0 0 0
00624 HRATX1
Prof. Cary Mock of the University of South Carolina and Mr. David Roth of
the Hydrometeorological Prediction Center found evidence of a newly uncovered
hurricane that made landfall in southern Texas from Army Fort data and
historical newspaper accounts. (The Army Forts observed the weather four
times a day between sunrise and sunset. Winds could range from a range of
1 to 10, with a 6 being equivalent to about 40 kt gusts, a 7 about 50 kt
gusts and an 8 about 65 kt gusts.)
Fort Brown (Brownsville, Texas):
Jun. 25, 1854 - E2 NE3 NW2 NW3 78/79/84/77 3 1/2 am rain 0.79" Showers
Jun. 26, 1854 - W4 W5 W3 SW2 76/76/76/80 11 pm to 6pm rain 5.65" Storm
Jun. 27, 1854 - SW1 SW2 W1 SW1 78/84/86/81 Light showers
Barometer (altitude 50 ft - surface pressure values)
Jun. 25, 1854 - 30.08 30.08 30.05 30.02
Jun. 26, 1854 - 29.75 29.82 29.96 30.04
Jun. 27, 1854 - 30.08 30.10 30.18 30.26
Corpus Christi, Texas:
Jun. 25, 1854 - N2 N3 N4 N7 79/80/83/80 0.70" rain
Jun. 26, 1854 - E7 E7 E8 E8 80/80/81/80 0.50" rain
Jun. 27, 1854 - SE4 SE4 SE3 SE3 80/84/84/83
Fort Ringgold (26.4N, 99.3W), Texas:
Jun. 25, 1854 - N2 N2 N4 N4 75/86/84/84 Rain 8a.m.-5p.m. 0.73"
Jun. 26, 1854 - NW2 NW4 W4 S3 75/77/76/74 Rain 3a.m.-2a.m. (27th) 5.05"
Jun. 27, 1854 - S1 S3 S3 S3 72/76/84/78 Rain 9a.m.-6p.m. 0.85"
Barometer (altitude ~200 ft - surface pressure values)
Jun. 25, 1854 - 29.87 29.89 29.80 29.81
Jun. 26, 1854 - 29.67 29.60 29.40 29.80
Jun. 27, 1854 - 29.91 29.95 29.95 29.96
Note on 27th: Showers. Distant thunder S. and S.W. during day.
Fort McIntosh (27.5N, 99.5W), Texas:
Jun. 25, 1854 - NE1 NE2 NE3 NE2 76/82/88/79
Jun. 26, 1854 - SW2 N3 NE4 SE5 74/78/76/74 0.20"
Jun. 27, 1854 - SE2 SE2 E1 E1 72/79/75/76 0.70"
Note on 25th: Rain at intervals during the day
Note on 26th: Rain at intervals from 11 o'clock a.m. until 8 p.m.
Fort Duncan (28.7N, 100.5W), Texas:
Jun. 25, 1854 - SE2 SE2 SE3 SE2 75/83/93/81
Jun. 26, 1854 - SE1 SE3 SE3 SE2 75/82/89/77 0.20"
Jun. 27, 1854 - SE2 SE2 SE2 SE2 75/78/82/77 Rain 6 1/2a.m.-3p.m. 0.14"
Note on 25th: Rain at intervals
Note on 26th: Rain at intervals and moderate during the day
Note on 27th: Rain at intervals and moderate during the day
Fort Ewell (28.2N, 99.0W), Texas:
Jun. 25, 1854 - NW1 NW2 N3 N1 74/83/94/77 Rain 5a.m.-7p.m. 0.73"
Jun. 26, 1854 - N4 N4 N2 SE0 75/76/78/72 Rain 1 1/2a.m-2a.m. 0.40"
Jun. 27, 1854 - SE3 SE4 SE3 SE2 73/80/90/77
The Daily Picayune (New Orleans) July 2, 1854, p.2
The Galveston News, of the 27th ult., has these items:...
The wind commenced blowing very strong from the eastward on Saturday
last [24th], and has continued since, sometimes almost a gale. It
caused a slight overflow of the strand yesterday and day before. It
has been accompanied with occasional showers, and with some very
severe thunder and lightning.
The Daily Picayune (New Orleans) July 2, 1854, p.2
FROM BRAZOS SANTIAGO [26.1N, 97.2W] - Severe Storm -
By the arrival of the steamship Perseverance, Capt. John Y. Lawless,
yesterday, we are placed in possession of intelligence from that place
to the 27th ult.
On Sunday last, the 25th of June, we learn that the city was visited by
a very severe storm, which caused a great deal of damage and caused yet
more disastrous consequence. The wind was higher than it had ever been
experienced since the establishment of the city, blowing, in fact, a
perfect hurricane from the S.S.E., and at the same time very heavy rain
fell. Many buildings were unroofed and otherwise damaged, while some
were completely turned round. The large cistern belong to the U.S.
Quartermaster's Department, and which contained 2,000 gallons of water,
was destroyed. Several boats employed between Point Isabel and Brazos
were driven ashore, and some sank; and at one time the greatest fears
were entertained that the partial deluge of the island actually
experienced, would extend to a complete and disastrous overflow.
The Daily Picayune (New Orleans) July 5, 1854, p.1
By the steamship Louisiana, which arrived here from Galveston, this
morning, we have advices from that city and Houston to the 2d inst. ...
The Lavaca Commercial, of the 28th, says:
We were visited by another terrible gale last evening, from the south-
east. The wind commenced blowing last evening, and continued all
night, accompanied by heavy falls of rain. The tide is very high -
several bath houses have been washed away, and some little damage has
been done to the whaves.
The Daily Picayune (New Orleans) July 12, 1854, p.1
The Nueces Valley, of the 1st inst., has the following:
Our sea board was visited on Saturday last with one of the most
tremendous gales that has ever been known of this coast. It commenced
blowing severely on Saturday evening, the 24th ult., and continued,
accompanied with rain until Tuesday morning, when the storm abated.
Some little damage was done to the shipping in this harbor, but not in
proportion of the violence of the storm.
We are informed that the current was driven into Aransas Bay through
the Pass, at the rate of ten or twelve knots per hours. It was with
difficulty that the vessels at anchorage in Aransas harbor could hold
on...It is said that Aransas Bar is much improved by the storm, being
increased both in depth and width.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------
These observations indicate a tropical cyclone of about Category 1 hurricane
conditions (70 kt) made landfall around 12 UTC on the 26th north of
Brownsville, just north of Brazos Santiago, Texas. The system then passed
north of Fort Ringgold around 20 UTC on the 26th. The sea level pressure
at that fort was a minimum of about 1002 mb at that time. 1002 mb suggests
winds of at least 41 kt from the Gulf of Mexico wind-pressure
relationship, though this would be for an over open water exposure. Winds
are estimated to be about 50 kt at 18 UTC on the 26th. The system then
passed west of Fort McIntosh around 00 UTC on the 27th and then is estimated
to have dissipated by about 12 UTC on the 27th. Intensity at landfall is
based primarily upon impacts of the system at Brazos Santiago. A search of
the COADS ship database did not reveal any observations in the Gulf of
Mexico near this storm.
********************************************************************************
1854/02: (Was originally storm 1854/01 in Partagas and Diaz - May 2004 change).
No major changes from Partagas and Diaz's (1995a) analysis.
********************************************************************************
1854/03: (Was originally storm 1854/02 in Partagas and Diaz - May 2004 change).
Utilized Ho's (1989) work - apparently not used in Partagas and
Diaz's (1995a) analysis - to alter the track and intensity near the US.
Inland winds over SE US reduced via Kaplan and DeMaria's (1995) inland decay
model, though not as fast as suggested with this model due to extreme
duration of damaging winds along Georgia and South Carolina. Ship with
central pressures observation of 938 mb gives with subtropical latitude
wind-pressure relationship a 112 kt reading - utilizing 110 kt. Peripheral
pressure reading of 973 mb (at 20 UTC on the 8th of September in Savannah,
Georgia) suggest winds of at least 83 kt utilizing the same subtropical
wind-pressure relationship. Ho used this value with other information to
estimate a 950 mb central pressure at landfall which gives 103 kt again from
the subtropical wind-pressure relationship - here we are choosing 100 kt for
the best track. Both reports (of 938 mb and 950 mb) suggest that the storm
reached major hurricane status over the Atlantic. The storm is determined to
have reintensified to hurricane status after moving back over the Atlantic
Ocean after landfall. Have also adjusted track to the north by about 60 nmi
as the hurricane returned to the Atlantic to better match observed strong
gales over Northeastern U.S. The storm is named in Ludlum's (1963) book as
the "Great Carolina Hurricane of 1854" for its impacts in the Carolinas and
the "Coastal Hurricane of September 1854" for its impacts in the Middle
Atlantic and New England coasts.
1854/03 - 2003 REVISION:
00600 09/07/1854 M= 6 2 SNBR= 20 NOT NAMED XING=1 SSS=3
00600 09/07/1854 M= 6 2 SNBR= 21 NOT NAMED XING=1 SSS=3
**
00605 09/07*264 766 110 0*272 776 110 0*280 786 110 938*288 796 110 0
00610 09/08*296 803 110 0*304 806 110 0*311 809 100 0*316 811 100 950
00615 09/09*320 813 80 0*325 815 70 0*332 815 60 0*343 805 50 0
00620 09/10*355 781 40 0*368 759 40 0*378 740 50 0*384 719 60 0
00625 09/11*388 695 70 0*390 673 80 0*394 650 90 0*395 618 90 0
00630 09/12*398 583 90 0*400 551 90 0*400 520 80 0*402 480 80 0
00635 HR GA3 SC2
00635 HR GA3 SC2DFL1
****
U.S. Hurricane Landfall Data
----------------------------
#/Date Time Lat Lon Max Saffir- Central States
Winds Simpson Pressure Affected
2-9/8/1854 2000Z 31.7N 81.1W 100kt 3 950mb GA3,SC2
2-9/8/1854 2000Z 31.7N 81.1W 100kt 3 950mb GA3,SC2,DFL1
****
Analysis of historical tropical storms and hurricanes impacting Georgia and
Northeast Florida by Sandrik (2001) suggests that the hurricane had also
impacted Northeast Florida with Category 1 hurricane conditions as well in
its landfall in Georgia.
********************************************************************************
1854/04: (Was originally storm 1854/03 in Partagas and Diaz - May 2004 change).
No major changes from Partagas and Diaz's (1995a) analysis for track.
Inland winds over Texas reduced via Kaplan and DeMaria's (1995) inland decay
model. The storm is determined to reach hurricane status based upon
damage that occurred in Matagorda. Storm is known in Ludlum's (1963)
work as the "Matagorda Hurricane of 1854".
********************************************************************************
1854 - Additional Notes:
1. The tropical storm listed as #4 in 1854 in Partagas and Diaz (1995a) was
not included into the HURDAT because of evidence suggesting that the storm
did not actually exist. Partagas and Diaz had found an unsupported
reference to it in Tannehill (1938), but it is likely that this reference
was really referring to storm 1854/03 which hit the coast at the same exact
location.
********************************************************************************
1854/05: No major changes from Partagas and Diaz's (1995a) analysis.
********************************************************************************
1855/01: No major changes from Partagas and Diaz's (1995a) analysis. No
track available, only one point. Storm determined to have been a hurricane
based upon destruction in Tampico.
********************************************************************************
1855/02: No major changes from Partagas and Diaz's (1995a) analysis. Storm
determined to have reached hurricane status from multiple ship reports.
********************************************************************************
1855/03: No major changes from Partagas and Diaz's (1995a) analysis. No
track available, only one point. Storm determined to have reached hurricane
status from the ship "Walverine".
********************************************************************************
1855/04: No major changes from Partagas and Diaz's (1995a) analysis.
Utilized the southern wind-pressure relationship for ship with central
pressure observation of 997 mb to get 53 kt, using 50 kt in best track.
Review of this storm in conjunction with the 1855/05 hurricane reveals
that they may be the same system. However, without more supporting
evidence for the intervening days (of August 28-30) between the
systems, we are opting to keep these as separate storms.
********************************************************************************
1855/05 - 2000 ORIGINAL:
No major changes from Partagas and Diaz's (1995a) analysis for
track. Ludlum (1963) describes that "the tide at places between Lake
Ponchartrain and Bay St. Louis was said to have risen ten to fifteen
feet above normal high tide." Storm determined to have reached major
hurricane status at landfall based upon storm tide and destruction along
Louisiana and Mississippi. Inland winds over SE US reduced via Kaplan and
DeMaria's (1995) inland decay model. Hurricane known as the "Middle Gulf
Shore Hurricane of 1855" (Ludlum 1963). (Note that this storm was originally
labeled 1855/06 in the 2000 version of HURDAT. It was renumbered in
2003 because of the removal of storm 1855/05.)
1855/05 - 2004 REVISION:
00810 09/15/1855 M= 3 5 SNBR= 28 NOT NAMED XING=1 SSS=3
00810 09/15/1855 M= 3 5 SNBR= 29 NOT NAMED XING=1 SSS=3
**
00815 09/15*267 891 70 0*271 891 80 0*275 893 90 0*281 894 100 0
00820 09/16*288 895 110 0*296 895 100 0*302 894 90 0*310 891 60 0
00820 09/16*288 895 110 0*296 895 110 0*302 894 100 0*310 891 70 0
*** *** **
00825 09/17*320 888 50 0*330 883 40 0* 0 0 0 0* 0 0 0 0
00830 HR LA3 MS3
After a thorough review of all U.S. landfalling hurricanes for the 1851 to
1910 period by Dickinson et al. (2004 and pers. comm.) using their
numerical analysis and modeling system, two hurricanes were found to have
inconsistencies between the assigned Saffir-Simpson Hurricane Scale and the
estimated maximum 1-min surface winds: 1855/05 and 1878/05. In this case,
the Category 3 impact assigned for Mississippi was not consistent with the
original 12 UTC winds for this hurricane of 90 kt, while just offshore of the
Mississippi coast. The original intensity for this system was based
primarily upon the storm tide amount both in Louisiana and Mississippi (see
above) and it was intended to analyze this hurricane as a Category 3 in
both states. Thus the winds have been boosted up to 100 kt at the 12 UTC time
to retain the Category 3 assignment for Mississippi. Again utilizing the
Kaplan and DeMaria (1995) inland decay model after landfall in Mississippi
suggests increasing the 18 UTC winds up to 70 kt.
******************************************************************************
1855 - Additional Notes:
1855/05 - 2003 REVISION: STORM REMOVED FROM HURDAT.
1855/05: No major changes from Partagas and Diaz's (1995a) analysis. Storm
determined to have reached hurricane status from observations from ships
"Catherine" and "Rebecca". Review of this hurricane in conjunction with
the 1855/04 tropical storm reveals that they may be the same system.
However, without more supporting evidence for the intervening days (of
August 28-30) between the systems, we are opting to keep these as separate
storms.
00770 08/31/1855 M= 3 5 SNBR= 27 NOT NAMED XING=0 SSS=0
00775 08/31*414 675 70 0*424 650 70 0*434 620 70 0*445 588 70 0
00780 09/01*455 551 70 0*465 514 70 0*475 472 70 0*484 445 70 0
00785 09/02*495 414 60 0*505 384 60 0E513 355 50 0E522 330 50 0
00790 HR
(System removed from revised HURDAT.)
This hurricane is, with additional information, shown instead to be
a strong extratropical storm with well-defined baroclinic structure.
New data sources were provided by Michael Chenoweth for Sable Island and
Halifax, Canada and by Prof. Cary Mock of the University of South Carolina
for Bridgeport, Massachusetts. This tropical cyclone is thus removed from
the HURDAT database. Details about these new data sources are provided in
full below.
The two Canadian sources are (1) a weather diary kept by Alexander Muirson
at Halifax, 1828-1860 and (2) a daily record of occurrences at the "Principal
Station" on Sable Island, Nova Scotia from 1853-1855. The first is a 'pure'
meteorological register, with instrumental temperature and barometer data; the
second is what appears to be some type of government or corporate record of
activity at a fishing station. Weather is recorded daily, but is only
non-instrumental. Both records were obtained by Michael Chenoweth from the
Provincial Archives of Nova Scotia, Halifax.
Sable Island Observations:
30 August 1855
First part moderate SE winds and clear....Latter part strong
north winds and cloudy weather.
31 August 1855
A heavy northwardly blow throughout.
1 September 1855
Moderate WSW winds and clear weather.
The terminology of the time units suggests that the record is
kept by a mariner. However, the dates appear to be civil calendar
dates (midnight-midnight) and not the seaman's day of noon to noon. This
assessment is based on a scan of other day's records in the diary.
Halifax Observations:
Temperature and barometer are labeled M, N, E (morning, noon,
evening). Winds are "prevailing". Remarks give prevailing weather
conditions and register (without specifying the time usually)
a change to another prevailing weather type. Temperature and
barometer readings are most likely read at 0800, 1300-1400, and
2200 based on analysis of hourly means. Muirson never states
the morning and evening times but states once in his journal
that his mid-day reading was between 1 and 2 P.M. His thermometer also has
an eastern exposure and there is evidence for sunlight reaching the
thermometer as his morning readings in the summer are higher than his
evening reading. Muirson's barometer during the summer and early autumn
rarely exceeds 29.9 inches. Without knowing the details of his location,
cannot assume an elevation but the barometer appears not to have been
calibrated. He did routinely record the names of ships arriving in port.
Date Temp (F) Pressure (") Winds Description
29 Aug. 1855 56 70 60 29.8 29.7 29.5 changeable Clear very fine, this
morning a white frost
30 Aug. 1855 72 64 42 29.4 29.5 29.6 SW to NW Cloudy & windy --
clear & cool
31 Aug. 1855 50 64 44 29.7 29.8 29.9 N Clear & fine,
frost last night
1 Sep. 1855 53 57 56 30.0 29.9 29.7 SW Cloudy, frost last night --
heavy rain
Massachusetts Observations:
Prof. Cary Mock provided the following additional information regarding
this system: Leonard Hill's Meteorological Register. Hill kept a weather
diary at Bridgewater, MA (42.0N, 71.0W). For the dates of interest, he
recorded the following:
Aug. 29. Clear, cool.
Aug. 30. Clear, cool N
Aug. 31. Frost - killed beans, &c
Sept. 1. Rain. S.W. & S.
This early freeze helps to confirm the analysis of a strong
extratropical storm system as was also observed in the Sable Island
and Halifax observations. Prof. Mock also checked his records from
the Carolinas, which showed no storm system (tropical or otherwise)
moving up from the south near or over the mid-Atlantic coast.
********************************************************************************
1856/01: Utilized Ho's (1989) work - apparently not used in Partagas and
Diaz's (1995a) analysis - to alter the track and intensity near the US.
Inland winds over SE US reduced via Kaplan and DeMaria's (1995) inland decay
model. Ship with pressure measurement of 955 mb not in the hurricane's
eye suggests at least 105 kt with the Gulf of Mexico wind-pressure
relationship, utilize 130 kt in best track. Ho's estimate of 934 mb at
landfall gives 125 kt, utilize 130 kt in best track - a major hurricane.
A small RMW of 12 nmi supports slight increase of winds over suggested
wind-pressure relationship. Storm tide value of 11-12' provided by Ludlum
(1963) for Last Island, Louisiana. The storm is also known as the "Last
Island Disaster" after the destruction caused at that location.
********************************************************************************
1856/02: No major changes from Partagas and Diaz's (1995a) analysis. Storm
determined to have reached hurricane status from destruction felt in
Grenada and Barbados.
********************************************************************************
1856/03: This storm was not identified by Partagas and Diaz's (1995a)
analysis. Enough evidence was retrieved from Ludlum's (1963) analysis
(see pages 99 and 100) to provide track and intensity estimates. Note
that the track provided here keeps the tropical storm's center offshore
of New England, which disagrees with Ludlum's assessment. This is due to
all wind reports from New York, Connecticut, Rhode Island and - especially
- Massachusetts which remained at an easterly component for the duration of
this storm. If, as Ludlum suggested, the storm crossed the neck of Cape Cod,
there would have been a wind shift to a westerly component at Cape Cod and/or
Nantucket. Both remained easterly, thus suggesting a just-offshore track.
Ludlum referred to this storm as the "Charter Oak Storm of August 1856" for
the destruction of the famous Charter Oak that was a witness to the founding
of the Connecticut Colony in 1636.
********************************************************************************
1856/04: This storm was listed as #3 in 1856 originally in Partagas and
Diaz (1995a). No major changes from Partagas and Diaz's (1995a) analysis.
********************************************************************************
1856/05: This storm was listed as #4 in 1856 originally in Partagas and
Diaz (1995a). No major changes from Partagas and Diaz's (1995a)
analysis for track. Inland winds over SE US reduced via Kaplan and DeMaria's
(1995) inland decay model. Storm tide value of 6' obtained from Barnes (1998)
for Apalachicola, Florida. Havana's central pressure observation of 969 mb
gives 90 kt from the Gulf of Mexico wind-pressure relationship, which is used
directly. Pressure reading of 968 mb not in hurricane's center (on 18 UTC
of the 30th of August) suggests winds of at least 91 kt from the Gulf of
Mexico wind-pressure relationship - 100 kt is chosen for best track. This
last reading supports that this storm reached major hurricane status, but
likely weakened slightly before making landfall in the United States. Ludlum
(1963) referred to this storm as the "Southeastern States Hurricane of
1856".
1856/05 - 2003 REVISION:
00910 08/25/1856 M=10 5 SNBR= 33 NOT NAMED XING=1 SSS=2
00915 08/25*210 698 70 0*210 708 70 0*211 719 70 0*212 728 70 0
00920 08/26*216 739 70 0*217 748 70 0*220 759 80 0*222 766 80 0
00925 08/27*224 776 80 0*226 786 80 0*227 795 90 0*227 806 90 0
00925 08/27*224 776 80 0*226 786 80 0*227 795 90 0*227 806 80 0
**
00930 08/28*229 816 90 969*230 829 90 0*232 840 90 0*236 846 90 0
00930 08/28*229 816 80 0*230 829 90 969*232 840 90 0*236 846 90 0
** *** ***
00935 08/29*239 851 90 0*242 856 90 0*247 864 90 0*249 868 90 0
00940 08/30*252 871 100 0*256 873 100 0*262 874 100 0*275 873 100 0
00945 08/31*289 866 90 0*302 859 90 0*311 848 70 0*322 833 60 0
00950 09/01*330 816 50 0*340 796 50 0*347 779 50 0*355 753 50 0
00955 09/02*363 728 50 0*368 700 50 0*372 673 50 0*377 646 50 0
00960 09/03*382 618 50 0*388 586 50 0*390 560 50 0*395 523 50 0
00965 HRAFL2 AL1 GA1
Re-analysis effort by meteorologists in Cuba (Perez 2000) confirms
landfall as Category 2 hurricane (90 kt). However, winds reduced after
landfall in Cuba until center re-emerges off of the coast. Central
pressure of 969 mb in Havana corrected from 00Z to a 06Z value.
********************************************************************************
1856/06: No major change from Partagas and Diaz's (1995a) analysis. Storm
is determined to have reached hurricane status based upon reports from the
ship "Utah".
1856/06 - 2003 REVISION:
00970 09/18/1856 M= 5 6 SNBR= 34 NOT NAMED XING=0 SSS=0
00975 09/18*320 488 50 0*325 489 50 0*329 490 50 0*335 493 50 0
00980 09/19*345 498 60 0*352 505 60 0*357 512 70 0*358 514 70 0
00980 09/19*345 498 60 0*352 505 60 0*356 510 70 0*358 514 70 0
*** ***
00985 09/20*360 517 70 0*360 520 70 0*362 523 70 0*363 524 70 0
00985 09/20*360 517 70 0*361 520 70 0*362 523 70 0*363 524 70 0
***
00990 09/21*364 525 60 0*365 526 60 0*365 527 60 0*365 528 60 0
00995 09/22*365 529 60 0*365 530 60 0*365 530 60 0*365 530 60 0
01000 HR
Track altered slightly for a more realistic translational velocity.
********************************************************************************
1856 - Additional Notes:
1. The tropical storm listed as #5 in 1856 in Partagas and Diaz (1995a) was
not included into the HURDAT because of evidence suggesting that the storm
did not actually exist. Partagas and Diaz had found an unsupported reference
to it in Dunn and Miller (1960), but it is likely that this reference was
really referring to storm 1856/04 which hit the coast at the same exact
location.
********************************************************************************
1857/01: No major changes from Partagas and Diaz's (1995a) analysis.
********************************************************************************
1857/02: No major changes from Partagas and Diaz's (1995a) analysis.
Ship with central pressure observation of 961 mb gives 94 kt with the
subtropical latitude wind-pressure relationship, utilizing 90 kt in best
track - supporting hurricane status. Storm is known in Ludlum's (1963)
work as the "Central America Disaster in 1857" due to the loss of
the ship the "S.S. Central America".
********************************************************************************
1857/03: No major changes from Partagas and Diaz's (1995a) analysis.
Storm is suggested to be stationary throughout its four day existence.
This storm is determined to have reached hurricane status based upon
reports from the ship "Ocean Express".
********************************************************************************
1857/04: Combined Partagas and Diaz's (1995a) analysis of storms #4 and #5
into one continuous track. Utilized Kaplan and DeMaria's (1995) inland decay
model for storm's winds over Texas and Mexico. Storm is determined to have
reached hurricane status based upon report from the ship "Cadet".
********************************************************************************
1857 - Additional Notes:
1. The tropical storm listed as #5 in 1857 in Partagas and Diaz (1995a) was
not included into the HURDAT because we determined that this storm and
storm 1857/04 were likely the same system. Thus information on this
storm is now carried in its entirety as 1857/04, while Partagas and
and Diaz's storm #5 in 1857 is removed.
********************************************************************************
1858/01: No major changes from Partagas and Diaz's (1995a) analysis. No
track available, only one point. Storm is determined to have reached
hurricane status based upon observations from ship "L. H. Sampson".
********************************************************************************
1858/02: No major changes from Partagas and Diaz's (1995a) analysis. No
track available, only one point. Storm is determined to have reached
hurricane status based upon observations from ship "Shelter".
********************************************************************************
1858/03: Only major change to Partagas and Diaz's (1995a) analysis was to
extend the track 12 hr into Canada to account for observations in Maine.
Utilized the northern wind-pressure relationship of hurricanes for winds at
landfall. A peripheral pressure reading of 978 mb (around 17 UTC on the
16th) suggests winds of at least 75 kt - 80 kt chosen for the best
track. Central pressure observation of 979 mb gives 74 kt, for the second
landfall in Connecticut/Rhode Island - 70 kt is utilized for the second
landfall. Both of these pressure measurements support hurricane status for
this storm. Also used the Kaplan and DeMaria's (1995) inland decay model
for winds over New England. Ludlum (1963) referred to this storm as the
"New England Tropical Storm of 1858".
1858/03 - 2003 REVISION:
01185 09/14/1858 M= 4 3 SNBR= 41 NOT NAMED XING=1 SSS=1
01190 09/14*252 846 60 0*260 839 60 0*269 831 60 0*279 820 50 0
01195 09/15*289 808 50 0*300 796 60 0*312 785 80 0*324 773 90 0
01200 09/16*340 758 90 0*360 746 90 0*385 733 80 0*414 720 70 979
01205 09/17*455 700 60 0*500 670 50 0* 0 0 0 0* 0 0 0 0
01205 09/17*455 700 50 0*500 670 40 0* 0 0 0 0* 0 0 0 0
** **
01210 HR NY1 CT1 RI1 MA1
As the first Kaplan and DeMaria inland decay model was utilized for this
hurricane, it was appropriate to review the results with the inland
decay model explicitly designed for New England landfalling tropical
cyclones (Kaplan and DeMaria 2001). This model does decay systems faster
and suggests a downward revision to the winds at 00 and 06Z on the 17th,
which is reflected in the revised HURDAT.
Additional information on this hurricane was also obtained by Boose et al.
(2001). They analyzed this hurricane as a Category 2 at U.S. landfall based
upon a Fujita-style analysis of hurricane wind-caused destruction, but had a
slight high bias in the reconstructed versus actual damage in their damage-
based empirical wind modeling work. Thus landfall as a high end Category 1
hurricane (80 kt) in New York is reasonable to retain. Boose et al. (2001)
also estimated a RMW of 45 nmi at landfall.
********************************************************************************
1858/04: Combined Partagas and Diaz's (1995a) analysis of storms #4 and #5
into one continuous track. No other changes from Partagas and Diaz's (1995a)
analysis. The storm is determined to have reached hurricane status based
upon observations from the ships "Phantom", "Hudson" and "City of
Washington".
********************************************************************************
1858/05: Storm was originally #6 in 1858 in Partagas and Diaz's (1995a)
analysis. No major changes from Partagas and Diaz's (1995a) analysis. Storm
is determined to have reached hurricane status from observations from ship
"Priscilla".
1858/05 - 2003 REVISION:
01265 09/22/1858 M= 4 5 SNBR= 43 NOT NAMED XING=0 SSS=0
01270 09/22* 0 0 0 0* 0 0 0 0*219 740 50 0*232 740 50 0
01275 09/23*246 740 60 0*261 740 60 0*279 740 70 0*293 741 70 0
01280 09/24*307 741 70 0*322 740 70 0*333 738 80 0*339 736 80 0
01280 09/24*307 741 70 0*322 740 70 0*333 738 80 0*339 737 80 0
***
01285 09/25*345 736 80 0*352 734 80 0*359 731 80 0*365 726 80 0
01290 HR
Track adjusted slightly to allow for a more realistic translational velocity.
********************************************************************************
1858/06: Storm was originally #7 in 1858 in Partagas and Diaz's (1995a)
analysis. No major changes from Partagas and Diaz's (1995a) analysis. Storm
is determined to have reached hurricane status from destruction in Bermuda
and several ship reports.
********************************************************************************
1858 - Additional Notes:
1. The tropical storm listed as #5 in 1858 in Partagas and Diaz (1995a) was
not included into the HURDAT because we determined that this storm and
storm 1858/04 were likely the same system. Thus information on this
storm is now carried in its entirety as 1858/04, while Partagas and Diaz's
storm #5 in 1858 is removed.
********************************************************************************
1859/01: No major changes from Partagas and Diaz's (1995a) analysis. No track
available, only one point. Storm is determined to have reached hurricane
status based upon damage in Tuxpan and Tecoluta, Mexico.
********************************************************************************
1859/02: No major changes from Partagas and Diaz's (1995a) analysis. Pressure
readings of 989 and 982 mb not in the hurricane's center (on 00 UTC of August
17th and 18th, respectively) suggest winds of at least 64 and 71 kt from
the northern wind-pressure relationship - 90 kt chosen for best track because
of these values and from description of winds from ship reports, supporting
hurricane status for this storm.
********************************************************************************
1859/03: No major changes from Partagas and Diaz's (1995a) analysis. Storm
is determined to have reached hurricane status from reports provided from
St. Kitts.
1859/03 - 2003 REVISION:
01375 09/02/1859 M= 2 3 SNBR= 47 NOT NAMED XING=0 SSS=0
01380 09/02*172 597 70 0*174 607 70 0*176 618 70 0*177 630 70 0
01380 09/02*173 597 70 0*174 607 70 0*175 618 70 0*175 630 70 0
*** *** ***
01385 09/03*177 641 70 0*179 654 70 0* 0 0 0 0* 0 0 0 0
01385 09/03*174 641 70 0*173 654 70 0* 0 0 0 0* 0 0 0 0
*** ***
01390 HR
Re-examination of Salivia's (1972) Puerto Rican hurricane history, Boose
et al. (2003) and J. Colon (personal communication) reveals that this
hurricane did not impact Puerto Rico. The track is adjusted slightly
southward to avoid a direct impact on the island, yet still cause
the observed hurricane conditions in St. Kitts and St. Croix described
in Partagas and Diaz (1995a).
********************************************************************************
1859/04: No major changes from Partagas and Diaz's (1995a) analysis.
No track available, only one point. Storm is determined to have reached
hurricane status from report from ship "Liberty".
1859/04 - 2003 REVISION:
01395 09/12/1859 M= 1 4 SNBR= 48 NOT NAMED XING=0 SSS=0
01395 09/12/1859 M= 2 4 SNBR= 48 NOT NAMED XING=0 SSS=0
*
01400 09/12* 0 0 0 0* 0 0 0 0*395 505 90 0* 0 0 0 0
01400 09/12* 0 0 0 0*355 575 90 0*370 545 90 0*390 520 90 0
*** *** ** *** *** *** *** **
(The 13th is new to HURDAT.)
01402 09/13*410 500 80 0*430 485 80 0*455 465 70 0*490 435 70 0
01405 HR
Mr. Doug Mayes at the University of South Carolina uncovered additional
ship observations, which allow for a track to be determined for this
hurricane from 06Z on the 12th through 18Z on the 13th.
New York Tribune Oct 1. 1859 p. 8 (and New York Times Oct 1 1859 p. 8)
Ship Coronet, Flowers, Liverpool. . . .12 inst lat 42 lon 50 experienced
a heavy gale which split fore and topsails, main spencer and done other
damage.
New York Tribune Oct 5 1859 p. 8 (and New York Times Oct 4 1859 p. 8)
Bark Etiwan (of Charleston) . . . . Sept 12th lat 36 lon 56 30 had a
very heavy gale from SE which lasted for six hours veering suddenly to
NW with equal force; split sails &c.
New York Tribune Sept 30 1859 p. 8
Ship Cordelia, Bishop, . . . Sept 13th lat 49 48 lon 4? 08 experienced a
hurricane from E to SW which blew away entire suite of sails, sprung
foreyard, main topmast crosstrees, and strained the ship badly, causing
her to leak.
New York Tribune Oct 5 1859 p. 8 (and New York Times Oct 4 1859 p. 8)
Brig Bell Flower (of Pittston). . . . . Experienced heavy gales, split
sails &c. Sept 13 lat 45 30 Lon 47 23, during the violent gale from NE,
was boarded by a sea which stove the deck cabin, filling the cabin with
water, and washed the Captain and a seaman named Samuel Thomas overboard
who were lost.
New York Times Oct 5 1859 p. 8
Ship Anna Decatur, Parsons, Sunderland. . . . Sept 13 in lat 46
experienced very heavy gales.
********************************************************************************
1859/05: No major changes from Partagas and Diaz's (1995a) analysis.
No track available, only one point. Storm is determined to have reached
hurricane status based upon destruction which occurred in Mobile.
1859/05 - 2003 REVISION:
01410 09/16/1859 M= 1 5 SNBR= 49 NOT NAMED XING=1 SSS=1
01410 09/15/1859 M= 4 5 SNBR= 49 NOT NAMED XING=1 SSS=1
** *
(15th not in HURDAT originally.)
01413 09/15*280 890 70 0*285 890 70 0*290 889 70 0*296 886 70 0
01415 09/16*305 880 80 0* 0 0 0 0* 0 0 0 0* 0 0 0 0
01415 09/16*303 881 70 0*311 875 50 0*320 868 40 0*331 848 40 0
*** *** ** *** *** ** *** *** ** *** *** **
(The 17th and 18th are new to HURDAT.)
01416 09/17*343 825 40 0*356 800 40 0*370 775 50 0*385 745 60 0
01417 09/18*400 710 70 0*412 665 70 0*420 610 70 0*425 550 70 0
01420 HR AL1
01420 HR AL1AFL1
****
U.S. Hurricane Landfall Data
----------------------------
#/Date Time Lat Lon Max Saffir- Central States
Winds Simpson Pressure Affected
5-9/16/1859 0000Z 30.5N 88.0W 80kt 1 (977mb) AL1
5-9/16/1859 0000Z 30.3N 88.1W 70kt 1 (985mb) AL1,AFL1
**** **** ** *** ****
Ship and land station observations uncovered by Mr. Doug Mayes and Prof.
Cary Mock at the University of South Carolina and Mr. Michael Chenoweth
are able to well document a track for this hurricane during its
passage over the southeast United States and back out over the Atlantic.
All of these newly analyzed data are documented in full below. The data
reconfirms a minimal hurricane making landfall near Mobile, Alabama which
also caused Category 1 hurricane conditions in Pensacola, Florida. The
landfall intensity though was reduced slightly due to the lack of strong
pressure drop at Warrington, FL just east of the landfall point and relatively
weak winds observed just north of Mobile (at Mt. Vernon, AL) soon after
landfall. This system then trekked to the northeast and reemerged back
over the Atlantic near Virginia/Maryland. Ship reports indicate that the
storm re-acquired hurricane intensity over the open Atlantic. A
peripheral pressure of 996 mb (at 19Z on the 17th in Annapolis) suggests
winds of at least 55 kt from the northern wind pressure relationship -
60 kt chosen for best track.
Newspaper Reports:
The Daily Picayune (New Orleans) Sunday, Sept 18, 1859, p.3
The Late Storm in Mobile. - Our Mobile exchanges, of Friday morning, come
to us with full accounts of the storm in that city the day and night
previous. It appears that the rain began to fall as early as 3 o'clock in
the morning, and continued without the slightest cessation during the
whole day, at times accompanied by a heavy gale of wind, which shifted
at the edge of evening from northeast to southeast.
At this time the alarm became very great. The wind blew a hurricane and
the water flooded the wharf at the foot of Conti, and was still rising
when the authorities ordered the water alarm bells to be rung, and "the
bell on the tower pealed forth its ten strokes with fearful import. Great
excitement prevailed, and the merchants on Commerce and Front streets
set about removing the merchandise into the second stories."
About half-past 9, however, the wind shifted to the south, the rain
ceased, and the water began to recede and fears to subside. As to the
damage, it is not, from the lateness of the hour, fully reported. It is
stated, however, that the telegraph wires were broken down in every
direction; the wharves and bath houses along the city side of the bay were
carried away; boxes, barrels and bales set afloat; and at a late hour
intelligence, from along the line of railroad track, was received, which
caused serious apprehensions that the trains would be interrupted for two
or three days, to the great inconvenience of a large amount of freight
at the depot.
Accidents from Thursday's Blow.- The schooner W. W. Harkness, Capt.
Peterson, hence for Tampico, when about two miles above the head of the
Southwest Pass, during a heavy gale on Thursday last, lost her anchors
and chains and went ashore in four feet water.
The steamboat Crescent, Capt. Carlton, left the levee on Wednesday
afternoon last . . . While proceeding on her voyage she encountered a
gale when off the Chandeleurs, which carried away her chimneys, pilot
house, texas and nearly all the bulwarks of the cabin.
The main boat California, Capt. Myers, met the gale when opposite
Point Clear.
The Daily Picayune Monday, Sept 19, 1859, p.4
The Storm on the Coast. Damage to Shipping and other Property -
The furious and destructive gale, which swept over the coast Thursday
last appears to have been much more violent at Pensacola and vicinity
than even at Mobile. The [Pensacola] Tribune of Friday says:
"On Wednesday night the first of the equinoctial storms commenced with
a vengeance, and yesterday the Storm King reigned supreme, the wind
blowing a hurricane and the rain falling a deluge. Trees were
uprooted and fences prostrated. During the forepart of the day the
wind blew, at different intervals, from every point of the compass,
with terrible force, sweeping everything before it. At noon it
settled in the southeast, from which point it blew with increased
violence.
The shipping in the bay was in a very critical condition, and greatly
confused. The wind sporting with the smaller craft as with ebaff[?]
- throwing them out on the beach and dashing them to pieces against the
wharves.
The schooner Hornet, with her cargo, was thrown ashore, and is now high
and dry.
At about 5 o'clock, the Palafox street wharf which had during the day,
up to the hour mentioned, nobly withstood the storm, succumbed to the
combined force of wind and wave, and was entirely demolished.
The new wharf also received damages to a considerable extent.
The bath-houses, the property of various individuals, situated along
the shore, were all completely destroyed.
It is almost miraculous how the entire shipping in the bay escaped
demolition. Considering the violence of the storm, the damage done,
though great, might have been, and we fear is, far greater than here
reported.
Vessels on the coast must have been greatly distressed, and we shall be
agreeably surprised, when sufficient time has elapsed, if we do not
hear of a greater loss of life and property than has ever been known
on the coast of Florida. . .
During Thursday night the wind shifted round to northeast, still
blowing hard but somewhat inclined to lull.
At daylight this morning the beach presented an indescribable mass of
timbers from the different wrecks, drifted ashore during the night.
In the city, nothing more serious than fences blown down and shade
trees topped, have, as yet, been heard of. On the beach, there are
numerous different estimates as to the value of property destroyed.
In lieu of authentic information, we give the lowest estimate rumored,
$10,000. . .
At the time we go to press it has abated its fury, though the winds
still blow in stiff breeze."
Safety of the Galveston -
By a letter of the same date, but written some hours later, in the
Mobile Tribune, we are gratified to learn of the safety of the
Galveston, Capt. Hutchings, which left this port with the Florida
mails the morning of the 14th. She arrived at Pensacola about 10
o'clock Friday morning. The writer says:
"After getting to sea the wind commenced to blow fresh from the
southeast, and increased to a gale, and blowed from almost every
point of the compass. At 5 A. M. Thursday she was within twenty
miles of Pensacola bar, but the gale increasing, it was dangerous
to keep on her course, and consequently she headed off the land and
rode the gale out. At midnight the gale moderated, and the ship
was again on her course for this place. The wheel houses are stove
in, and the forward part of the ship above the deck is stove in also.
It was necessary to throw off part of her deck load, and most of that
on deck is damaged, as the water washed through the ship from fore to
aft. She has not sustained damage though to detain her." . . .
The Damage at Mobile -
Our neighbors of Mobile appear to have been more frightened than
hurt. Only some sugar, flour, &c., on the ground floors of a few
of the warehouses were injured.
At Point Clear nearly all of the little bath houses and wharves were
swept away, and the sojourners were much alarmed.
Higher up, on the eastern shore, every wharf and bath house, except
Hudson's and Stark's is gone.
In the neighborhood of Short's wharf, two oyster boats capsized, one
of them the Sea Bird, and two persons, names unknown, were drowned.
The Daily Picayune Sunday, Sept 18, 1859, p.3
Heavy Storm at New York. Extensive Damage to Property.
New York, Sept. 17. - A very violent storm of wind a rain passed over
this city today doing considerable damage to shipping.
Among the disasters, the bark Mary Ellen, from Bremen, dragged her
anchors and went ashore on Governor's Island.
There was also considerable damage to other property.
A five-story warehouse in progress of erection, in Duane street, was
blown down and completely demolished. The house adjoining was also
thrown down and the tenants buried beneath the ruins.
Daily National Intelligencer (Washington) Tuesday Sept. 20 1859 p. 2
The ravages of the storm of Friday and Saturday have been general and
severe. The amount of water was over eight inches. The damage to the
ungathered crops and to mill dams and fences has been very great.
Daily National Intelligencer Tuesday Sept 20 1859 p. 2
The Fresh, subsequent to the date of our report of yesterday, raised
sufficiently on Sunday night to do some damage. Scantling and other
lumber was carried off from some of the lumber yards in Georgetown, and
more or less of it lost. In addition to the loss of salt by a
Georgetown merchant, about fifty barrels of flour belonging to
Mr. Cruikshank were damages. This is all we hear of worth mentioning in
addition.
Daily National Intelligencer Tuesday Sept 20 1859 p. 2
Of the Chesepeake and Ohio canal it is yet in our power to say but
little. Unauthenticated reports were current yesterday of a breach on
the nine mile level, and also east of the Great Falls, but they received
little credence. A telegraph dispatch from Harper's Ferry yesterday
announced Dam No. 4 as swept away, but this was deemed altogether
extravagant. The coffer-dam lately inserted and the yet unfinished
guard bank were most likely injured, but that the solid masonry of the
dam has suffered is scarcely credible.
Daily National Intelligencer Tuesday Sept 20 1859 p. 2
Extraordinary Fall of Rain. --- The amount of rain at Grafton Cottage
near Washington, in the storm of the 16th and 17th instant, was six
inches and four-tenths September 19, CHAS. G. PAGE.
Daily National Intelligencer Monday Sept 19 1859 p. 3
The freshet in the Potomac caused by the heavy rains of Friday and
Saturday was a source of considerable excitement yesterday all along the
river banks. . . . . At five o'clock the river was rising at the
Georgetown wharves, but we were assured that at the little falls bridge
it was falling. Some apprehension was felt for what might take place at
the next flood tide.
Daily National Intelligencer Monday Sept 19 1859 p. 3
A good many persons were hard at work at the western wharves scouring
private and public property there. The new depot of New York Steamship
company was considered in much peril if the river should rise higher; as
it was the water was up more than 100 feet beyond shore. The contents of
the depot were removed in good time.
Daily National Intelligencer Monday Sept 19 1859 p. 3
The current in the Potomac was very rapid, and large quantities of
driftwood passed down. In some cases lodging against vessels at the
wharves somewhat to there risk. The Long Bridge, in its present fragile
state, appeared to be in danger, but may withstand the pressure against
it.
Daily National Intelligencer Monday Sept 19 1859 p. 3
The Chesapeake and Ohio canal, so far as heard from has suffered no
damage from the fresh. The water was let out of the Georgetown level to
prevent breaches there, and it is hoped that similar precaution was
observed all along the line. Some solicitude is felt for dams No. 4 and
5, but nothing is known, as the telegraph was not at work yesterday.
New York Tribune Monday Sept 19, 1859 p. 8
Brig Tangent, Plummer, from Boston, for Elizabethport, in Ballast for
coal, arrived at the Hook on Friday night, and during the gale of
Saturday dragged both anchors into two fathoms of water. Her foremast
was cut away, which with the yards and main topmast, went over the side,
when she held. She was towed up to the city on Sunday.
New York Tribune Tuesday Sept. 19 1859 p. 8
Steamship Potomac, Watson, Savannah, . . . . On the 17th inst . . .
9 P.M. 10 miles off Cape Hatteras, passed steamship Parkersburg hence for
Savannah. The P. experienced a heavy gale from the N.E.
New York Tribune Tuesday Sept. 19 1859 p. 8
Ship Marathon, Tyler Liverpool, . . . 17th inst, Lat 40 30, Lon ?9 in a
gale from SE to NNE carried away main topmast trestletrees.
New York Tribune Tuesday Sept. 19 1859 p. 8
Ship Manhattan, Dixon, Liverpool Aug. 6. . . . has been twenty days west
of the banks with light westerly winds; had to haul off shore Saturday
night during the heavy easterly gales.
New York Tribune Tuesday Sept. 19 1859 p. 8
Bark Milton, Bradford, Liverpool Aug 10. . . . Saturday 17th had a heavy
gale from ESE to NNE with a bad sea, vessel laboring very heavy, Montauk
bearing North 50 miles.
New York Tribune Sept 21, 1859 p. 12
Ship Havre, Askins, . . . Sept 17 and 18, Lat 40 20 Lon 70 experienced a
heavy gale from SE to NNE.
New York Tribune Sept 21 1859 p. 12
Ship Martha (of Boston) Arr. Off the Hook 17th and hauled off shore in
a heavy gale from E. Had heavy weather off Algoa Bay; slit split sails,
washed away bulwarks, &c.
New York Tribune Sept 21 1859 p. 12
Ship Wm H Prescott (of Boston) . . . .17th inst, had a gale from SE to W;
18th had hurricane from the N during which shifted cargo.
New York Tribune Sept 21 1859 p. 12
Bark Kepler . . . 17th inst, highlands bearing WNW bearing 40 miles
passed schr Oregon lying to; experienced heavy westerly gales up to
Lon 50. since then light westerly winds and calms and on the 17th inst
had a head easterly gale.
New York Tribune Sept 21 1859 p. 12
Schr Alma . . . 17th inst5 miles E of Sandy Hook, took a gale from ESE
and was compelled to haul off shore, during which split foresail, stove
bulwarks, &c.
New York Tribune Sept 22 1859 p. 8
Ship Messenger, Hooper . . . . Sept 17 off the Capes of Delaware,
experienced a hurricane fm NE which blew away foretopsail and jib.
New York Tribune Sept 22 1859 p. 8
Brig Salus Arkle, Palmero 70 days, and Gibraltar 36 days fruit to order.
Sept 18 in a heavy gale from N., split sails &c.
New York Tribune Sept 22 1859 p. 8
Schr Sir Colin Campbell, Virgens, Sagua 11 days, sugar, &c. to Whitman
Bros. Sept 17 experienced a heavy gale from ENE lost deck load of
Molasses.
New York Tribune Sept 23 1859 p. 8
Ship Constitution . . . . 17th Lat. 41 Lon. 67 had another very heavy
blow from S and NW with a high cross sea running.
New York Tribune Sept 23 1859 p. 8
Bark R G W Dodge. . . 16th and 17th inst had heavy gale from SE
New York Tribune Sept 24 1859 p. 8
Bark Harvest Hammond Savannah 7days, in ballast to Sturgis Clearman and
Company. Sept 17 SE of Hatteras experienced a very heavy gale from
Southeast.
New York Tribune Oct 1 1859 p. 8 (and New York Times Oct 1 1859 p. 8)
Schr. Louisa A. Johnson (of Brookhaven). . . . 18th inst, lat 41 52
lon 56 49 in a hurricane from NW lost mainboom and received other
damage.
New York Times Oct 3 1859 p. 8
Ship Lady Franklin, Jordan, Liverpool. . . . Sept 18 lat 44 lon 58
experienced a hurricane from SE did no damage.
New York Times Sept 23 1859 p. 8 (and Charleston Daily Courier Sept
22 1859 p. 4)
Steamer Chesapeake . . . .during the NE gales of the 18th while off
Cape Cod sprang a leak and threw overboard 400lbs of sugar and syrup.
She still leaks and is kept free by her donkey pumps. She will, after
discharging her cargo, go to the docks for repairs.
New York Times Sept 20 1859 p. 8
Steamer George's Creek On the 16th experienced a heavy gale from the NE
and was compelled to put into Hampton Roads for harbor.
New York Times Sept 19 1859 p. 8 (and Charleston Daily Courier Sept
22 p. 4)
Steamship Nashville. . . . The Nashville experienced very heavy gales
from Hatteras to the Lower Bay where she anchored last evening the 17th.
Instrumental Records
--------------------
Date Time Station Temp in Cloudiness Wind Wind Comments
Pressure Open Amount Dir. Speed
Annapolis, Maryland
16SEP 7am 30.12 63 10 NE 2
2pm 30.06 65 10 ESE 3
9pm 29.94 64 10 ENE 3 Rain began 9pm
17SEP 7am 29.51 67 10 NE 3
2pm 29.37 60 10 N 4
9pm 29.72 63 10 NW 2 Rain ended 9pm, 4.8"
18SEP 7am 29.86 57.5 0 NW 1
2pm 29.84 72.5 3 N 1
9pm 29.86 65 3 N 1
Fort Monroe, Virginia
16SEP 7am 30.30 73 Cloudy E 4 Rain began 6am
2pm 30.20 72 Cloudy E 5
9pm NA 71 Cloudy E 5
17SEP 7am 29.71 75 Cloudy SW 4 Rain ended 5am, 0.86
2pm 29.80 75 Cloudy NE 2
9pm 30.00 68 Fair NW 2
18SEP 7am 30.15 70 Fair NW 2
2pm 30.18 73 Fair NE 2
9pm NA 70 Fair SW 2
US Naval Ob., Wash. D.C. (selected)
16SEP noon 30.22 68 10 SE 1 Rain began 2.5am
2.5pm 30.18 66 10 E 2
8.5pm 30.07 63 10 E 3
17SEP 0.5am 29.95 64 10 NE 3 Rain cont., 0.93"
2.5am 29.90 63 10 NE 3
6.5am 29.60 64 10 E 4
8.5am 29.59 68.5 10 E 5
9.5am 29.44 69 10 E 4
10.5am 29.42 68 10 NNE 5
noon 29.54 61 10 NW 6
2.5pm 29.66 60 10 NW 6
3.5pm 29.73 60 10 NW 6
4.5pm 29.78 60 10 NW 6
6.5pm 29.82 60 10 WNW 6
8.5pm 29.89 60 10 WNW 4
9.5pm 29.90 60 10 NW 3 Rain ended 9pm, 3.34"
18SEP 2.5am 29.95 60 4 NW 3
8.5am 30.04 64 1 NW 2
noon 30.03 74 10 NW 3
Washington D. C.
16SEP 7am 30.28 60 10 NE 2 Rain began 1am
2pm 30.20 67 10 SE 3
9pm 30.08 63 10 NE 4
17SEP 7am 29.51 69 10 NE 4
2pm 29.61 61 10 NW 4 cont., 4.00"
9pm 29.89 62 10 NW 4 Rain ended 9.5pm, 0.34"
18SEP 7am 30.03 61 0 NW NA
2pm 30.06 71 3 NW 1
9pm 30.08 64 0 0 0
Other records and diary entries
-------------------------------
(These observations are typically taken on a 7am/2pm/9pm timeframe.)
Mt Vernon Barracks AL
13th N2/N3/NE0
14th NE1/NE0/N0
15th NE0/NE6/NE5
16th W3/W1/N0
17th N0/NE0/NE0
On the 15th, 3.05 inches of rain, "Rained all day without ceasing"
Columbus MS
15th SE2/SE3/E3 0.108 inches of rain
16th N3/N3/N1
17th N1/S2/E1
Pauling MS
15th NE3/NE4/NE4
16th NE2/NW3/NE1
17th N1/M/E2
On the 15th, "wind at 6 pm NE5", rain 1.650 from 12 M to 1 AM
New Orleans LA
15th NE4/N5/NW5
16th W2/NW3/SW1
17th E1/NE2/E2
On the 15th, High wind in the evening. 0.39 inches of rain. Barometer
on the 15th down to 29.85 in the middle of the day.
Baton Rouge LA
15th NE2/NE4/NE2
16th W1/NE2/NE1
17th E1/E2/SE1
Thomaston GA
14th 72/76/72 29.05/29.05/29.05 SW/SE2/SE0 3.35" rain
15th 73/74/71 28.8/28.8/29.0 E1/SE2/SE4
16th 70/84/77 29.0/29.0/29.0 S5/S4/SW_
17th 70/84/77 29.0/29.0/29.0 NE/SW/SW
Whitemarsh Island, GA
14th 71/84/75 W1/SSE3/M
15th 73/80/77 N1/NE3/SE3 1.35" rain
16th 77/82/79 S4/S5/WSW5 0.08" rain
17th 72/83/75 WNW3/WNW3/M
Sparta, GA
14th 61/85/70 SW1/NW1/N1
15th 65/72/69 E1/NE2/E4 rain afternoon night
16th 70/74/69 SE1/SW3/SW4 rain During day
17th 63/83/71 W1/NW3/NE1
Augusta GA
14th 65/91/75 30.25/30.30/30.34 W0/W1/W0
15th 72.5/75/72 30.30/30.24/30.18 W0/W0/W0
16th 74/79/73 30.10/30.05/30.00 SE3/SE2/SW2 1.88" rain
17th 69/88/72 30.02/30.07/30.15 W0/W1/W0 0.42" rain
St Augustine, FL
14th 84/88/87 29.92/29.92/29.97 SW1/SE3/SW1
15th 84/86/84 30.10/30.10/30.10 SE3/SE4/SE4
16th 83/78/77 30.04/30.00/29.97 S3/SW3/SW2 0.40" rain
17th 80/90/87 30.00/30.00/30.00 NW2/SW3/SW1
Note most winds were 3+ in strength all month
Cedar Keys, FL
14th 80/86/80 S1/SW1/0
15th 80/85/81 E3/SE2/SE4
16th 76/81/80 SE3/SW3/SW4
17th 77/82/77 NW2/W2/NW2
Barrancas Barracks, FL
14th 72/88/84 N2/SE3/SE3
15th 76/81/79 NE3/SE7/SE8 3.30" rain
16th 75/87/77 NW5/NW2/N2
17th 75/87/81 N1/SW1/NW2
Warrington FL (US Naval Hospital)
14th 78/80/86/79 29.90/29.90/29.90/29.90 SW2/SW3/SW3/SW5 rain
15th 78/76/79/75 29.90/29.88/29.83/29.73 NE7/NE7/E7/SE7 rain
16th 74/80/87/80 29.79/29.80/29.84/29.87 NW7/SW5/SW4/SW3
17th 74/80/88/80 29.92/29.92/29.92/29.93 SW2/SW2/SW2/SW3
Lake City, FL
14th 77/92/78 S1/S2/0 0.50" rain
15th 79/87/75 SE1/S2/S2
16th 74/82/78 S3/SW5/SW2 1.60" rain
17th 76/88/76 SW1/0/0
A. Glennie, Pawley's Island SC
14th 74/80/62 30.05 E/S/S
15th 67/79/77 30.05 N/SE/E
16th 79/83/80 29.80 S/S/SW 0.22
17th 72/82/72 30.02 W/W/W
Black Oak, Pinopolis SC
14th 61/82/72 30.05/30.13/30.14 NW/NE/SE
15th 67/81/76 30.15/30.23/30.21 NE/NE/SE Cloudy/Rain/Cloudy
Rain 0.01"
16th 76/83/80 30.14/30.03/29.92 SE/SE/E Squally with high wind.
Rain 0.09"
17th 70/82/71 29.95/30.02/30.03 NW/NW/W Clear
Charleston Board of Health, SC
14th 69/81/78 30.11/30.15/30.21 SW2/E2 Fair
15th 76/80/78 30.24/30.26/30.25 NE2/SE2 Fair - rain 0.12"
16th 80/84/82 30.11/30.09/30.00 SE3/S5 Cloudy
17th 73/83/75 30.08/30.05/30.12 SW3/W1 Fair
Fort Moultrie, SC
14th 74/81/78 30.19/30.24/30.27 SW1/E2/E2 f/f/f - rain 0.23"
15th 76/80/77 30.22/30.24/30.26 NE1/E2/E1 cloudy/cloudy/f
rain at intervals
16th 80/82/81 30.27/30.17/30.10 SE1/SE3/S5 f/cloudy/cloudy
stormy at 4 PM and 10 PM
17th 72/84/76 30.13/30.13/30.22 SW3/NW2/NW1 f/f/f
Arsenal Academy, Richland County (Columbia), SC
14th 68/86/71 NE0/SE2
15th 70/83/72 E3/SE3 [rain] 4.5 PM continued during night
16th 73/78/68 W6/SE5 1.8" rain
17th 66/85/72 NE0/SW3
Aiken, SC
14th 63/87/72 E2/E2/E2
15th M/72/66 M/E1/NE3 0.85" rain
16th 73/80/66 NE4/SE4/W4 0.94" rain
17th 67/81/69 W3/S2/SW1
David Golightly Harris. Spartanburg, SC
16th Night before last and yesterday and last night it rained very hard
Charleston Courier, Saturday, September 17: The winds and waves
prevented the boat race which was eagerly expected on Friday afternoon.
We shall no doubt have a trial on the first fair afternoon; and after
the gales and "blows" of this period, we may expect frequent occasions of
such a delightful and exciting pastime.
Dr. Louis M. Desaussure. Beaufort Dist., SC
16th - rain, threatening Sepr gale from N.E. - warm ... Late in eveng,
hard blow or gale of wind & rain from S.E. threw cotton down funneled it
& injured it.
John McPherson DeSaussure (Kershaw Dist.): Rain fell 0.05 In. wind
S.E., S. or S.W.
Samuel Porcher Gaillard. Sumter Dist., SC:
14th Cool this morning, 68°. Cloudy this evening
15th Cloudy this morning & heavy fog. About 9 am sun came out,
overcast all morning from 11 am until 2 pm at which time the clouds were
threatening at south & S.W. At 3 pm had a few drops of rain & from that
time to this, 8 pm, occasionally a few drops, likely to rain before
morning.
16th Had a little rain last night. Cloudy & unsettled all morning.
Had a slight shower just after daylight & ceased at 7 am. At a ¼ of 12
(& previous) heard thunder & by 20 after 12 a heavy cloud came over from
S.S.W. A very heavy fall of water. It did not cease raining until near
2 pm. At 4 pm had a heavy shower all evening. About sunset every
appearance of clearing up as it has been clear at west but soon became
cloudy & has been raining off & on up to this time 9 pm the wind
indicates stormy weather.
17th Had a very heavy rain last night & wind very high, by 12 o'clock
ceased & was clear before morning. I heard this morning (which was ????
by a letter from my sister, Mrs. Rembert) that yesterday a tornado passed
over Col. James Rembert's plantation. Every building except smokehouse
unroofed even his dwelling, which is a very large building. All his
fencing down. I have no doubt it was [serious] to the crops. He said it
all was done in 5 minutes.
Charles Heyward, Charleston SC
15th Good weather until today, Cloudy & rain
16th Overcast. Threatening weather but passed off during the night with
a little high wind
Chapel Hill, NC
14th 68/80/65 29.61/29.66/29.69 NW1/W1/W1
15th 62/76/68 29.78/29.63/29.43 NE2/NE2/N2
16th 66/70/68 29.73/29.63/29.43 NW3/NW3/NW1
17th 66/80/69 29.33/29.46/29.56 NW3/NW3/SW1 0.15" rain
Murfreesboro, NC
14th W1/SE1/NE1
15th 63/76/68 29.4/29.55/29.35 E2/NE2/E2
16th 69/70/69 29.3/29.25/29.2 SE4/SW3/NW1 0.60" rain
17th 72/82/71 28.9/29.0/29.1 NW1/NW1/NW1 0.50" rain
Basil Armstrong Thomason. Yadkin County, NC
15th Cloudy and cool. Wind from the north east.
16th A real "north easter." Came as near raining all day as common.
Guess this is the equinoctial storm.
17th Clear and quite warm. It rained a small flood last night, so the
creeks are past fording to-day.
Halifax, Nova Scotia
16th 42/60/37 29.9/29.9/29.9 NW & SW clear and fine
Thermometer at sunrise 32
17th 45/64/44 29.9/29.8/29.7 SE Cloudy rain at night
18th 50/56/53 29.5/29.4/29.4 ENE Heavy rain nearly all day
19th 57/65/47 29.4/29.4/29.6 WNW Cloudy - clear and fine
********************************************************************************
1859/06: No major changes from Partagas and Diaz's (1995a) analysis. Utilized
the northern wind-pressure relationship for hurricanes from ship on 6th.
Ship with central pressure observation of 938 mb gives 105 kt, used 110 kt in
best track - supporting major hurricane status of this storm.
********************************************************************************
1859/07: No major changes from Partagas and Diaz's (1995a) analysis. Inland
winds over Florida reduced via methodology of Kaplan and DeMaria's (1995)
inland decay model.
********************************************************************************
1859/08: No major changes from Partagas and Diaz's (1995a) analysis. Pressure
reading of 989 mb not in hurricane's center (on 12 UTC, 28th of October)
suggests winds of at least 65 kt from the subtropical latitude wind-pressure
relationship - 80 kt chosen for best track, supporting hurricane status
for this storm.
********************************************************************************
1860/01: Extended track three days into the Atlantic as was suggested by
Partagas and Diaz (1995a). However, it is noted by Prof. Cary Mock of the
University of South Carolina and Sandrik (2001) that all of the available
historical accounts from this time showed no evidence for tropical storm
strength during its transit over Georgia. It may very well be the case that
this system dropped to tropical depression stage before redeveloping into a
moderate-intensity tropical storm over the Atlantic. Due to format chosen,
however, that tropical depression stage is not utilized in HURDAT until
1871, this system will be retained here formally as a minimal tropical storm
over the southeast United States. Inland winds over SE US derived from
utilizing Kaplan and DeMaria's (1995) inland decay model. Storm tide
values from Ludlum (1963) for Fort St. Philip, Louisiana (12 ft) and
Mobile, Alabama (10 ft). Storm determined to have reached major hurricane
status based upon destruction and storm tide values along U.S. Gulf coast.
********************************************************************************
1860/02: Extended the track to the 26th to take into account ship
observations reported by Partagas and Diaz's (1995a). Otherwise, no major
changes. Storm is determined to have reached hurricane status based upon
reports from the ships "Sabine", "Mary Rusell" and "Zurich".
********************************************************************************
1860/03: No major changes from Partagas and Diaz's (1995a) analysis. No track
available, only one point. Storm is determined to have reached hurricane
status based upon report from ship "Ocean Spray".
********************************************************************************
1860/04: No major changes from Partagas and Diaz's (1995a) analysis. Inland
winds over SE US reduced via methodology of Kaplan and DeMaria's (1995)
inland decay model. Storm tide value of 10' from Ho (1989) for Mobile,
Alabama. Storm determined to have reached hurricane status from destruction
and tide experienced along the U.S. Gulf coast.
1860/04 - 2003 REVISION:
01620 09/11/1860 M= 6 4 SNBR= 56 NOT NAMED XING=1 SSS=2
01625 09/11*251 838 90 0*252 841 90 0*252 845 90 0*252 848 90 0
01630 09/12*252 851 90 0*252 856 90 0*254 860 90 0*255 866 90 0
01630 09/12*252 852 90 0*253 856 90 0*254 860 90 0*255 866 90 0
*** ***
01635 09/13*256 871 90 0*257 876 90 0*259 881 90 0*262 886 90 0
01640 09/14*267 893 90 0*272 896 90 0*277 899 90 0*283 898 90 0
01640 09/14*267 893 90 0*272 896 90 0*277 898 90 0*283 898 90 0
***
01645 09/15*289 896 90 0*295 896 90 0*301 894 90 0*308 891 70 0
01645 09/15*289 897 90 0*295 896 90 0*301 894 90 0*308 891 70 0
***
01650 09/16*318 886 50 0*330 880 40 0* 0 0 0 0* 0 0 0 0
01655 HR LA2 MS2 AL1
Track altered slightly to allow for a more realistic translational velocity.
********************************************************************************
1860/05: No major changes from Partagas and Diaz's (1995a) analysis.
********************************************************************************
1860/06: No major changes from Partagas and Diaz's (1995a) analysis. Inland
winds over SE US reduced via methodology of Kaplan and DeMaria's (1995)
inland decay model. Storm determined to have reached hurricane status
based upon destruction in Louisiana.
********************************************************************************
1860/07: No major changes from Partagas and Diaz's (1995a) analysis.
inland decay model. Storm determined to have reached hurricane status
based upon several ship reports.
********************************************************************************