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1867/01 - 2003 ADDITION:
02901 06/21/1867 M= 3 1 SNBR= 102 NOT NAMED XING=1 SSS=1
02902 06/21* 0 0 0 0* 0 0 0 0*295 800 50 0*303 801 60 0
02903 06/22*311 800 60 0*318 799 70 0*325 798 70 0*332 796 60 0
02904 06/23*339 794 50 0*345 792 40 0*350 790 40 0*355 788 40 0
02905 HR SC1
This is a new hurricane that has been uncovered by the work of Prof. Cary
Mock at the University of South Carolina. The information that he provided
(included in total below) shows that a Category 1 hurricane made landfall
in South Carolina. As the storm made landfall just to the east of
Charleston and the city received approximately 60 kt of winds (based
upon wind-caused damage) while on the weak side of storm, peak intensity
is judged to be about 70 kt at landfall occurring between Charleston
and Georgetown.
Here are excerpts from local papers that Prof. Mock was able to obtain:
Charleston Daily Courier, Monday, June 24:
THE WEATHER. - The heavy and continuous rains from Wednesday last,
reported in Saturday's Courier, culminated Friday night and Saturday
morning in the heaviest rains and one of the severest gales witnessed here
for several years. On Friday night the shipping at the wharves had to be
doubly secured, and between nine and ten o'clock, Saturday morning, the
wind seemed to reach its highest, blowing almost a perfect hurricane from
the Northeast, for nearly two hours. Its effects at sea, we fear, have
been disastrous. The harbor presented a very black and terrible appearance.
In the city a number of wharves sustained considerable damage, houses
were unroofed, chimneys blown down, trees torn up by their roots, and
large branches blown from others, blocking up streets and sidewalks. The
tin roof of the New Custom House on East Bay, near Market-street, was
blown off and carried by the wind to the corner of Cumberland and East
Bay, a distance of between three and four hundred feet. The tin was
afterwards removed by the Custom House laborers into the Custom House
yard. Two large derricks on the South side of the building were also
blown down, crushing in their fall a number of the beautifully cut and
costly cap and cave stones, besides killing a cow belonging to Mrs.
Jenkins. The steamer Huron, lying at the Custom House Wharf, was
overflowed and sunk. The gale moderated Saturday afternoon, and on Sunday
the skies had again become clear.
We learn from Dr. George S. Pelzer, City Registrar, that the fall
of rain from Wednesday to Saturday inclusive, was seven and a half inches,
three inches of which fell on Saturday. This is said to have been the
heaviest fall of rain since 1824.
Charleston Daily Courier, Monday, June 24:
Marine News:
A GALE IN JUNE. - After some days of unsettled weather, accompanied
with rain, the wind commenced blowing a heavy gale from the Northeast at
an early hour on Saturday, and about seven to eight o'clock it had
increased to the force of an equinoctial blow, but moderated about midday.
The shipping and wharves being generally in fair order, got off with
little damage, the injuries being quite unimportant. The steamers Pilot
Bay, from Savannah, and Dictator, from Florida, arrived safely on Sunday,
without injury. The Dictator experienced the blow on her passage from
Fernandina to Savannah, and had a part of it after she anchored in
Savannah River. She reports the wind from North to Northwest, with a very
heavy sea. A brig, name unknown, had dragged ashore near Tybee.
Charleston Daily Courier, Tuesday, June 25:
THE WEATHER. - After four days of rain and wind, the sun shone out
beautifully yesterday, imparting new life and hope to Nature and her
children. What damage has been done to the crops we are not yet
sufficiently informed to speak with certainty. There is reason to apprehend
that the cotton and corn in the low country, at least, have been seriously
injured, and there is little doubt that the whole rice crop on Cooper River
has been largely, if not entirely destroyed. So far as we have been able to
learn, the wind-storm prevailed only immediately on the coast, though the
rain fell continuously three days in most of the Districts in the State. We
hope to receive more detailed intelligence to-day.
Charleston Mercury, Monday, June 24:
Marine News.
SAVANNAH, June 23. - The brig W.H. Parks was blown ashore on Tybee, during
the gale of yesterday. It is supposed that she will get off.
Charleston Mercury, Monday, June 24:
DANGEROUS RUINS. - During the gale on Saturday the walls of Tobias' old
building, at the corner of Vendue Range and East Bay, were rocked to and
fro to such a degree that their fall was momentarily expected...
Charleston Mercury, Monday, June 24:
THE GREAT STORM. - DAMAGE DONE THE TREES, WHARVES, THE BUILDINGS, AND THE
CITY CROPS. - The storm of rain which has been passing over the city for
more than four days reached its height on Saturday, and was then accompanied
by a storm of wind which might fully be termed a hurricane. Such a
storm at this season has not been known in the memory of citizens who have
resided here for nearly a century, and the last storm which equaled it in
power and fury took place in the Fall of 1854. In the city the amount and
value of injury done cannot be well estimated, but a few particulars will
enable our readers to judge for themselves.
Trees were blown down in every direction. On Orange-street a tree
one yard in diameter was uprooted, and all the fruit and ornamental trees
throughout the city have been damaged. The grape vines suffered particularly,
and all of the corn in the various garden lots has been blown down
almost without exception.
The tin roof of the new Custom House was rolled up by the wind and
carried by it to the corner of Cumberland-street, and the derricks in
front of the Custom House were blown down, killing a cow in their fall. A
portion of the roof of the South Carolina Railroad freight depot was
rolled up, but secured and fastened down before any damage had been done
to the building or its contents.
The roof of the shed on Brown's wharf was damaged, the roof of
that on Kerr's wharf was also damaged, and some little damage was done to
the roof of Atlantic wharf.
The bathing house was injured; three breaches were made in the
East Battery, and an iron stand near the corner of Church and Broad
streets were forced to the ground.
Yet, whatever the damage done in the city, it will be nothing in
comparison with that done in the country districts. In another column
will be found some account of the injury done by the rains alone, and we
await with many misgivings, the accounts of the ravages of the great storm
of June 22, 1867.
Samuel Porcher Gaillard (Sumter Dist.), June 22: Thermometer at 5 A.M. 70,
12 N 65, 9 PM 60. Rain all night and ceased about daylight at half past
6 A.M. began again & [never ceased] at times very hard up to this time 9 P.M.
has not ceased. Wind & clouds from N. East from 12 N Wind ????
David Golightly Harris (Spartanburg), June 22: Rain... The land was
entirely too wet. This evening it is raining again June 23 - Rain. All
last night there was a constant gentile rain. It has been raining
incessantly to day (11 o'clock) and no prospect of its ceasing. Much fear
is entertained that wheat will be injured in the shock. None has been
threshed yet & no prospect of suitable weather for the business. This is a
gloomy Sunday June 24 - Rain. Rain. Rain.
Jacob Schirmer (Charleston): June 22nd - Weather the past week has been
almost one Continuous Rain and that in torrents and this morning,
something of a Severe Gale, and quite cool. Great fears are entertained
that our staple crops have suffered very materially.
William J. Ball (Limerick Plantation): June 19-22 - Heavy & Continuous
Rain, Heaviest Freshet since 1837
Elias Horry (Georgetown): June 22 - Gale
Hilton Head weather record: June 22nd - 7am:SE4, 2pm:NE4, 9pm:NE4,
2.04" precipitation. (The numbers indicate force with a scale from 0 to 6.
0 indicates calm and 6 indicates a violent storm.)
Glennie weather record, Georgetown, SC: June 22nd - Sunrise:NE6-very
heavy rain, 2pm:E6-rain/gale, 9pm:E2-showery.
Statesville NC weather record: June 22 (7/2/9) - E4 E4 E4... rain started
at 8 pm June 23 - rain ended at 11 am... total 2 inches for storm...
E4 E4 E4
The Daily News and Herald (Savannah), June 24, p. 3:
The Gale of Saturday Morning
One of the most terrific gales that has ever passed over the city
since 1854, occurred on Saturday morning last. It commenced at half-past
six o'clock. At seven it was at its height, destroying beautiful shade
trees, carrying away awnings, portions of tin roofs gutters under the eaves
of houses, conductors on the sides of buildings, window shutters, etc.
The steamer Gen. Berry, lying moored to the wharf at Capt. Rufus P.
Hawkes' ship yard, opposite Abercorn street, parted her fastenings and was
driven to the Savannah shore of the river. No damage was done to her.
The steamer Annie, lying at the Hutchinson Island shore of the
Savannah river, at the pilings opposite West Broad street, had her sails,
which were chewed up, blown into ribbons, and her sides, which are torn,
chafed by coming in contact with the pilings to which she is moored.
On the Thunderbold Road a frame two-story building, in the course
of erection for Mr. Frederick A. Schultz by Bostock & Hobson, was blown down.
A tree, during the gale, fell at the southwest corner of Indian and
West Broad streets, carrying away the brick fence of the Guerard buildings.
Further up Indian street, a large tree fell on a building owned by
Mrs. Farry, crushing in the roof. On Bryan street, a tree fell against the
residence of Mrs. Sarah Puder, crushing in the windows of the second story.
Messrs. Wylly and Meinhard's building, on the south side of Broughton
street, had a portion of its tin roof blown away.
At Mr. Maupu's farm on the White Bluff Road, had several trees
prostrated, breaking down his fences, which were newly erected.
Up to the hour of writing we have not heard of any accidents.
The crops in every portion of this county have greatly suffered,
although we are hopeful that the destruction is not so great as is
apprehended.
The Daily News and Herald (Savannah), June 24, p. 2:
THE WEATHER - We have never experienced more unpleasant and
depressing weather than that which has been prevailing hereabouts for the
last five days, and we regret to learn that the continued heavy rains have
thrown a deep gloom upon the countenances of planters in this section.
New York Times, Marine Intelligence, July 1:
Brig, Alex Milliken - June 21 and 22, had a very heavy N.E. gale; split and
lost sails, and lost deck-load of molasses.
New York Times, Marine Intelligence, June 30:
Brig Agnes (Br) - June 21, lat. 30 12, lon. 79 18, had a heavy gale from
S.E. to N.E., and back to S.E., with increased violence, with high sea
running, sprung a leak, lost one boat, stove bulwarks, started headrails, &c.
New York Herald, Marine Disasters, July 5:
BRIG W H PARKS, which was blown ashore at Tybee during the recent heavy
gale, and from her position was considered as being virtually lost and only
worthy of abandonment, was got off 30th ult, sustaining but little damage,
and as she was fully repaired.
New York Herald, Marine Disasters, July 4:
SCHR MARTHA ANN, McCormick, which sailed from Charleston some days since
for New York, with a cargo of lumber, returned to Charleston on Saturday
last, having experienced heavy gales on the 21st and 22d June, off Cape
Lookout, during which lost deck load, sprung a leak, split sails, and has
sustained other damage. She has put back to C for repairs.
New York Herald, Marine Disasters, July 3:
BRIG HENRY LAURENS,... for New York, before reported put into Charleston
28th ult. leaky, reports June 19 off Sand Key Light, coast of Florida,
experienced heavy blows, varying from NE to SE, with short cross seas,
causing the vessel to labor and sprung a leak; on the 22d, had heavy
gales from the south, with short head sea, the vessel making water badly...
New York Herald, Marine Disasters, July 2:
BARK J CUMMING (Br), Hookway, at Charleston from Newport... June 22, when
near Charleston, experienced a severe gale from the northeast to northwest
in which lost two lower topsails, split other sails, and caused the bark to
leak...
New York Herald, Marine Disasters, July 2:
SCHR FOAMING SEA, North, at Charleston, from Baltimore on the 22nd ult, off
Cape Romain, experienced a severe eastern gale, and had part of the bulwarks
carried away... flying jib, and sustained other damage.
New York Herald, Marine Disasters, July 1:
BRIG WM SPARK, of Philadelphia, parted her chains in a NE gale June 22, and
went ashore Tybee Island.
From the _Wadesboro Argus_, North Carolina:
On Sunday [June 23] last this immediate section was visited by another heavy
and destructive rain storm, heavier, it is said to have been, than those
mentioned by us a week or two ago. For three hours, from 8 to 11 A.M., the
rain fell in torrents, beating down small grain not yet cut, also corn and
cotton, and washing lands. We hear of great destruction on all sides of us in
consequence of the creeks and branches being unusually swelled, and of large
quantities of wheat in the shock, left in the low grounds, floated off, and
fences swept away.
From the _Wilmington Dispatch_, North Carolina:
The Wilmington Dispatch [from the Raleigh Weekly Sentinel], July 2, speaking
of the freshet in the Cape Fear:
We learn that, in consequence of recent rains, the Cape Fear has
risen thirty feet at Fayetteville, at which it stood when our informant left.
But it was the general opinion that the volume of water poured out from the
clouds within the last ten days had not yet affected the river, the present
freshet being the result of the previous rains.
The Lincolnton Courier says of the rains of that region [from the Raleigh
Weekly Sentinel, July 2]:
The terrible rains that have fallen during the past week will ruin
the Planting interest on low lands throughout this section of country.
Reports received are truly distressing.
The Asheville News says of the late rains [from the Raleigh Weekly Sentinel,
July 2]:
On Sunday last the windows of heaven were opened and poured out
another deluge of rain upon Asheville, almost as destructive as that we
received a few weeks ago. Gardens suffered considerably, and many of the
new fences and bridges were washed off. We have heard that in some places
the wheat was injured.
From the _Asheville News_, North Carolina:
On Sunday last the windows of heaven were opened and poured out another
deluge of rain upon Asheville, almost as destructive as that we received a
few weeks ago. Gardens suffered considerably, and many of the new fences and
and bridges were washed off. We have heard that in some places the wheat was
injured.
The Wilmington Journal speaking of the damage done the crops in the Eastern
Counties by the late rains says [from the Raleigh Weekly Sentinel, July 2]:
The effect of the recent rains upon the crops in all the Eastern
portion of the State has been most disastrous. The damage sustained by
planters in Brunswick, Bladen, New Hanover, Onslow, Dunlin, Sampson,
Edgecombe, and all the Eastern counties, so far as heard from, has been
very serious and almost irreparable. The corn and cotton crop have
received a most severe blow, while the rice crop in this section has been
almost entirely ruined. Along the line of the Cape Fear, and in fact in
all the lowlands of the countries named, the damage is very apparent, and
the pernicious results of the recent terrible rains will be long remembered.
At no time could a more severe blow in this section befall us than at
present, when our future prosperity so greatly depends upon an abundant
yield.
Weekly North Carolina Standard (Raleigh),Wen. July 3, 1867, p. 3:
Sunday was the hottest day we have had so far this year, the thermometer
reaching 99 deg. in the shade. It was also the first day since Sunday the
16th in which there has not some rain, at least a few drops, fallen here in
Raleigh.
The amount of rain for the month has been enormous, measuring nine
inches and a half in depth between the 16th and 27th, and over fourteen
inches in all.
James Harvey Greenlee (McDowell Ct., NC): June 22 - Cloud warm June 23 -
It rained all day June 24 - Rained last night creek quite flush... A wet
day.
Weather observer data from Fort Monroe, VA, located near Norfolk:
On June 23, it started to rain beginning at 4 pm and by 4:40 pm the next day
it rained 1.95 inches. Written comments indicate "Rain began in the night.
Foggy & high winds during the day, Thunder & Lightning at night & Showers."
Observations of winds at 7 am, 2 pm and 9 pm on the 23rd were E 1, E 2, and
E 2 respectively, changing to SE 1, SE 2, and NE 1 the next day.
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1867/02: No major changes from Partagas and Diaz's (1995a) analysis
(was storm #1 originally in the Partagas and Diaz report). Ship with a
central pressure observation of 969 mb gives 83 kt with the northern
wind-pressure relationship, 80 kt is used in the best track. Storm is
determined to have reached hurricane status based upon the above central
pressure measurement as well as several ship reports. Storm is known
as the "Early August Offshore Hurricane of 1867" in Ludlum (1963).
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1867/03: No major changes from Partagas and Diaz's (1995a) analysis
(was storm #2 originally in the Partagas and Diaz report). No
track available, only one point. Storm is determined to have reached
hurricane status based upon observations from the ship "Suwanee".
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1867/04: No major changes from Partagas and Diaz's (1995a) analysis
(was storm #3 originally in the Partagas and Diaz report). Storm is
determined to have reached hurricane status based upon observations
from the ship "Helen R. Cooper".
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1867/05: No major changes from Partagas and Diaz's (1995a) analysis
(was storm #4 originally in the Partagas and Diaz report). No
track available, only one point.
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1867/06: No major changes from Partagas and Diaz's (1995a) analysis
(was storm #5 originally in the Partagas and Diaz report). Storm
is determined to have reached hurricane status based upon several ship
observations.
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1867/07: Added a track for October 6-9th to database from Partagas
and Diaz's (1995a) writeup suggestion (was storm #6 originally in
the Partagas and Diaz report). Also moved track closer to
Brownsville, Texas, as it appears that the town was in the western
eyewall. Inland winds over SE US reduced via Kaplan and DeMaria's
(1995) inland decay model. Storm tide value of 7' from Ludlum (1963) for
Galveston, Texas. Storm is determined to have reached hurricane status
based upon damage and storm tide observations from Texas and Louisiana.
System is known as the "Galveston Hurricane of 1867" in Ludlum (1963).
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1867/08: No major changes from Partagas and Diaz's (1995a) analysis
(was storm #7 originally in the Partagas and Diaz report). No
track available, only one point.
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1867/09: No major changes from Partagas and Diaz's (1995a) analysis
(was storm #8 originally in the Partagas and Diaz report). Ship with
central pressure observation of 952 mb gives 108 kt with the southern
wind-pressure relationship, but since the RMW may have been on the
order of 5 nmi, a higher wind of 120 kt is assigned in best track. Storm
is determined to have reached major hurricane status based upon the
above central pressure and destruction that occurred in the Virgin Islands
and Puerto Rico. Hurricane is also known as "San Narciso" for effects in
Puerto Rico on October 29th. 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).
1867/09 - 2003 REVISION:
03205 10/27/1867 M= 5 9 SNBR= 108 NOT NAMED XING=0 SSS=0
03205 10/27/1867 M= 5 9 SNBR= 110 NOT NAMED XING=0 SSS=0
***
03210 10/27*190 505 40 0*190 515 40 0*190 526 50 0*190 537 50 0
03215 10/28*190 550 60 0*190 563 60 0*190 577 70 0*191 592 80 0
03215 10/28*190 550 60 0*190 563 60 0*190 577 70 0*190 592 80 0
***
03220 10/29*190 607 90 0*189 620 100 0*185 633 110 0*182 648 120 952
03220 10/29*190 607 90 0*189 620 100 0*186 633 110 0*184 648 100 952
*** *** ***
03225 10/30*182 665 110 0*182 681 100 0*182 696 100 0*184 715 70 0
03225 10/30*183 665 80 0*182 681 70 0*182 696 80 0*184 715 60 0
*** *** *** *** **
03230 10/31*186 735 50 0* 0 0 0 0* 0 0 0 0* 0 0 0 0
03230 10/31*186 735 40 0* 0 0 0 0* 0 0 0 0* 0 0 0 0
**
03235 HR
Boose et al.'s (2003) analysis of hurricanes that made landfall in Puerto
Rico documented that this hurricane caused only Fujita-scale F1 damages in
the eastern and central portions of the island, not the F3 destruction
expected from a 120 kt Category 4 hurricane making landfall. Additionally,
E. Boose (2003, personal communication) suggested that the track may,
instead of going over Puerto Rico, have skirted just to the north of the
island. However, after a re-review of the limited meteorological data
available as well as the descriptive accounts from local reports at the
time of the hurricane (J. Colon, 2003, personal communication) suggest that
the hurricane did indeed cross the island from east to west, but as a
substantially weaker system (Category 2 - 90 kt). While good evidence
exists for major hurricane status farther east in the Virgin Islands with
the 952 mb central pressure, it is surmised that the hurricane began weakening
fairly rapidly thereafter - which would not be unusual for a late October
hurricane. Winds are thus adjusted downward from the 29th to the 31st and
the track is slightly adjusted to better match a track crossing over
Fujardo, Caguas and Mayaguez in Puerto Rico. This adjustment to Category 2
landfall in Puerto Rico is now consistent with descriptions of more intense
events (Category 4 - 1899, Category 3 - 1876, 1893, 1894) during the
second half of the 19th Century.
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