1870 Atlantic hurricane season
Season summary map
Seasonal boundaries
First system formedJuly 30, 1870
Last system dissipatedNovember 3, 1870
Strongest storm
NameFour
 • Maximum winds125 mph (205 km/h)
(1-minute sustained)
 • Lowest pressure948 mbar (hPa; 27.99 inHg)
Seasonal statistics
Total storms11
Hurricanes10
Major hurricanes
(Cat. 3+)		2
Total fatalities2,052
Total damage$12 million (1870 USD)

The 1870 Atlantic hurricane season lasted from mid-summer to late-fall and comprised one tropical storm and ten hurricanes, two of which became major hurricanes, (Category 3+). However, in the absence of modern satellite and other remote-sensing technologies, only storms that affected populated land areas or encountered ships at sea were recorded, so the actual total could be higher. An undercount bias of zero to six tropical cyclones per year between 1851 and 1885 and zero to four per year between 1886 and 1910 has been estimated.[1]

Season summary

The Atlantic hurricane database (HURDAT) recognizes eleven tropical cyclones for the 1870 season. Ten storms attained hurricane status, with winds of 75 mph (119 km/h) or greater. Of the eleven Atlantic cyclones known for 1870 only three made landfall. Although Hurricane One caused damage in Alabama, the storm centre may not have crossed the coastline. Hurricane Nine made landfalls in both Cuba and Florida. Hurricane Two and Tropical Storm Three were both active in the first week of September but neither made landfall, although Hurricane Two did come close to the Newfoundland coastline. Later that month two more hurricanes were seen in the western Atlantic. Hurricane Four was an intense category three cyclone while Hurricane Five was a weaker category one storm. More notable was Hurricane Six. This hurricane, known as the Hurricane of San Marcos or the Straits of Florida Hurricane, caused massive flooding in Cuba and south Florida, resulting in 2,000 casualties[2] and at least $12 million in damages. Hurricanes Seven and Eight were also active in the first half of October, both in the mid-Atlantic. Hurricane Nine made landfalls in both Cuba and Florida and was responsible for some 52 deaths. Hurricane Ten was sighted on October 23 near the Turks and Caicos Islands. The last cyclone of the year, Hurricane Eleven, made landfall in Belize.

Timeline

Saffir–Simpson Hurricane Scale

Systems

Hurricane One

Category 1 hurricane (SSHWS)
 
DurationJuly 30 – July 30
Peak intensity80 mph (130 km/h) (1-min);
985 mbar (hPa)

The Mobile Hurricane of 1870[3]

The first officially recognized tropical cyclone of 1870 made landfall near Mobile, Alabama, on July 30, though little is known about its genesis or track.[4][5] According to one report, barometric pressure fell to 931 mbar (27.5 inHg), but this is considered dubious.[6][7] The storm's passage was brief, with the strongest winds confined to a period of about two hours in the early afternoon.[7] Storm surge flooding damaged coastal installations along the shores of Mobile Bay, and several steamboats were either sunk or blown ashore. The winds uprooted trees, damaged roofs, and severed telegraph wires throughout Mobile. At the height of the storm, a floating dry dock broke free from its moorings and traveled about 8 mi (13 km) up the Mobile River, crushing wharves and boats along its path.[6][8] Overall, damage from the storm amounted to an estimated $200,000 (1870 USD).[6]

Hurricane Two

Category 2 hurricane (SSHWS)
 
DurationAugust 30 – September 4
Peak intensity105 mph (165 km/h) (1-min);

Although the ship Daniel Marcy likely encountered this storm as early as August 22, the vessel's crew did not record their location.[6] Thus, the official track for this system begins as a tropical storm about 320 mi (510 km) northeast of the Lesser Antilles on August 30,[9] the same day the R.M.S. Shannon encountered it.[10] The storm moved northwest towards the East Coast of the United States and intensified into a hurricane on the following day. Early on September 2, the cyclone reached sustained winds of 105 mph (165 km/h), equivalent to a Category 2 hurricane on the modern-day Saffir–Simpson scale. However, the hurricane curved north-northeastward and then northeastward on September 3, remaining offshore. It then travelled parallel to the coast of Nova Scotia until it was last seen on September 4 near Newfoundland.[9]

The coast of Maine experienced abnormally high tides, prompting vessels to seek refuge at a safe harbor.[11] Nova Scotia reported severe impacts, especially along its south coast. At the Halifax neighborhood of South End, a group of 16 to 18 vessels became "entirely broken to pieces beyond the possibility of repair." with a few exceptions, according to the North British Daily Mail. Strong winds led to the streets being littered with bricks, shingles, and slates, while the storm toppled many large trees and fences in the Spring Garden section of Halifax. A carriage factory was nearly destroyed, suffering about $4,000 in damage. The storm demolished many barns at the North West Arm and destroyed a building in Dartmouth. Significant damage was inflicted to trees and plants at the Nova Scotia Horticultural Society Garden.[12] Additionally, the Portland Daily Press reported that the hurricane "destroy[ed] a large amount of marine property and life".[11]

Tropical Storm Three

Tropical storm (SSHWS)
 
DurationSeptember 1 – September 4
Peak intensity70 mph (110 km/h) (1-min);
1004 mbar (hPa)

A tropical storm was detected to the west of Cape Verde on September 1. Tracking westward, it was encountered by another ship on September 4. The storm's subsequent progress is unknown.[13]

Hurricane Four

Category 3 hurricane (SSHWS)
 
DurationSeptember 9 – September 12
Peak intensity125 mph (205 km/h) (1-min);
948 mbar (hPa)

This hurricane was first encountered by a ship about 260 mi (420 km) northeast of San Juan, Puerto Rico, on September 9.[13] The storm tracked generally northward, and on September 10, it passed 90 mi (140 km) west of Bermuda.[5] There, the storm produced tropical storm-force winds that extensively damaged banana and other fruit trees.[14] Based on a central barometric pressure reading of 948 mbar (28.0 inHg) from the brig Lizzie M. Morrell, the storm is believed to have achieved major hurricane intensity.[4][15] Curving northeastward, the hurricane underwent extratropical transition by September 13.[5]

Hurricane Five

Category 1 hurricane (SSHWS)
 
DurationSeptember 17 – September 19
Peak intensity90 mph (150 km/h) (1-min);
969 mbar (hPa)

Numerous ships in the western Atlantic reported stormy weather from September 17 through 20. By weighting these reports according to their credibility and consistency, Partagás was able to construct an approximate recurving track for the hurricane.[16] As the system accelerated northeastward, it probably transitioned into an extratropical cyclone on September 19.[5]

Hurricane Six

Category 3 hurricane (SSHWS)
 
DurationOctober 5 – October 14
Peak intensity115 mph (185 km/h) (1-min);
959 mbar (hPa)

First Key West Hurricane of 1870 or Hurricane of San Marcos of 1870[17]

Based on reports from contemporary Cuban meteorologists, a tropical storm was first observed in the Caribbean just south of Haiti's Tiburon Peninsula on October 5.[18][9] The storm moved west-northwestward and intensified into a hurricane south of Cuba on the following day. Thereafter, the cyclone rapidly strengthened further and likely peaked as a Category 3 hurricane with maximum sustained winds of 115 mph (185 km/h) prior to making landfall in the Ciénaga de Zapata municipality of Cuba's Matanzas Province on October 7. After crossing Cuba, the hurricane moved slowly northeastward through the Straits of Florida, tracking close to the Florida Keys as a Category 2 hurricane for a few days. The storm then struck Grand Bahama and the Abaco Islands in the Bahamas early on October 12 while still a Category 2 hurricane, but soon weakened to Category 1 status. It moved out to sea, last being seen west of Bermuda on October 14.[9]

In Cuba, the combination of sustained high winds, intensive rainfall, and two rivers, the San Juan and the Yumuri, bursting their banks destroyed the city of Matanzas and caused the loss of some 800 lives. These impacts destroyed approximately 410 homes, with the Cuban Meteorological Society stating in 2000 that "this number probably refers only to the city [Matanzas]."[19] Floodwaters swept away two bridges, a railroad station, and a train, along with its passengers. The nearby city of Cárdenas also reported major damage to warehouses and wharves and the destruction of several dwellings, with many more losing their roofs and otherwise suffering damage. Throughout the country, a loss of roughly one-third of sugar crops occurred – roughly 300,000 to 400,000 boxes.[20] Approximately 1,200 people died in Cuba, making it one of the deadliest Atlantic hurricanes on record.[2] Damage was estimated at over $12 million (USD).[19] In Florida, the lower parts of Key West became "one complete sheet of water", according to the Key West Dispatch, while tides swept away a few bridges. Significant damage to vegetation and trees also occurred. Numerous vessels wrecked throughout the Florida Keys and along or just offshore the mainland as far north as the Jupiter Inlet.[21]

Hurricane Seven

Category 1 hurricane (SSHWS)
 
DurationOctober 7 – October 7
Peak intensity80 mph (130 km/h) (1-min);

On October 7, a ship, the Horatio Harris, reported a hurricane several hundred miles west of the Cape Verde Islands; this appears to be the only known record of the storm.[4] Partagás considered that the system may have been related to the subsequent tropical cyclone over the northern Atlantic, but determined this to be unlikely, given the rapid speed at which it would have needed to travel.[22]

Hurricane Eight

Category 1 hurricane (SSHWS)
 
DurationOctober 10 – October 11
Peak intensity80 mph (130 km/h) (1-min);

A hurricane was first detected on October 10, more than 800 miles to the east of Bermuda.[5] Based on reports from several ships, it headed east-northeastward over the following day. Little else is known about its track.[23]

Hurricane Nine

Category 2 hurricane (SSHWS)
 
DurationOctober 19 – October 22
Peak intensity105 mph (165 km/h) (1-min);
970 mbar (hPa)

Second Key West Hurricane of 1870[17]

An assistant at the physical and meteorological observatory in Havana, Cuba, reported a wind shift on October 19,[24] the same day that the bark Idaho began experiencing hurricane-like conditions over the northwestern Caribbean.[25] Thus, the official track for this storm begins at 00:00 UTC on October 19 as a Category 2 hurricane with winds of 105 mph (165 km/h). Moving north-northeastward, the hurricane struck the south coast of Cuba's Pinar del Río Province near La Coloma about 24 hours later. Trekking across western Cuba for about six hours, the cyclone emerged into the southeastern Gulf of Mexico, likely as a Category 1 hurricane.[9] Later on October 20, the center of the hurricane passed over the Dry Tortugas and then on the Florida mainland near Chokoloskee. The system emerged into the Atlantic near present-day Fort Pierce the following day and briefly weakened to a tropical storm. On October 22, the storm was last noted east of North Carolina by the bark Midas.[25]

Parts of Pinar del Río and Havana provinces in Cuba suffered significant impacts. In the former, the region of Vuelta Abajo reported the destruction of some entire villages and to agricultural properties, with damage exceeding $1 million.[24] The hurricane ruined virtually all banana crops in the region and also caused serious losses to sugarcane and tobacco crops. Communications and transportation to Vuelta Abajo were also disrupted.[26] Storm surge in Batabanó, then located in Havana Province, flooded many homes with up to 4 ft (1.2 m) of water,[24] demolishing about 40 residences.[26] In Florida, Fort Jefferson experienced heavy rainfall and hurricane-force winds. A report from the fort noted that "trees and fences protested, buildings surroofed & debris flying in every direction".[4] Six vessels capsized at Key West,[27] while many ships wrecked along the Florida Reef and areas north of Cape Florida.[28] The National Hurricane Center attributes 52 fatalities to the storm,[2] all of which occurred after the SS Varuna sank offshore Florida's Jupiter Inlet on October 20,[29] although the Star Tribune reported a few fatalities in Cuba due to maritime incidents related to the hurricane.[26]

Hurricane Ten

Category 2 hurricane (SSHWS)
 
DurationOctober 23 – October 23
Peak intensity105 mph (165 km/h) (1-min);

Several ships north of Cuba and Hispaniola reported a hurricane on October 23 and 24. No further details about this storm are known.[30]

Hurricane Eleven

Category 1 hurricane (SSHWS)
 
DurationOctober 30 – November 3
Peak intensity80 mph (130 km/h) (1-min);

The final storm of the season originated from an area of unsettled weather that began affecting ships in the western Caribbean Sea on October 27. It organized into a tropical cyclone several days later, and maritime reports suggest that it achieved minimal hurricane intensity. The hurricane probably curved northward and weakened upon reaching the mountainous terrain of the Yucatán Peninsula. On November 3, a ship encountered the storm at hurricane intensity in the southeastern Gulf of Mexico.[4][31]

See also

References

Specific
  1. ↑ Landsea, C. W. (2004). "The Atlantic hurricane database re-analysis project: Documentation for the 1851–1910 alterations and additions to the HURDAT database". In Murname, R. J.; Liu, K.-B. (eds.). Hurricanes and Typhoons: Past, Present and Future. New York: Columbia University Press. pp. 177–221. ISBN 0-231-12388-4.
  2. 1 2 3 Edward N. Rappaport & Jose Fernandez-Partagas (1996). "The Deadliest Atlantic Tropical Cyclones, 1492–1996: Cyclones with 25+ deaths". National Hurricane Center. Retrieved 2011-03-14.
  3. ↑ Early American hurricanes 1492-1870, David Ludlum, pg 183
  4. 1 2 3 4 5 Hurricane Research Division (May 2015). "Documentation of Atlantic Tropical Cyclones Changes in HURDAT". National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration. Retrieved January 7, 2017.
  5. 1 2 3 4 5 Hurricane Research Division (2012). "Easy to Read HURDAT". National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration. Retrieved January 7, 2017.
  6. 1 2 3 4 Partagás, p. 58
  7. 1 2 Ludlum, p. 183
  8. ↑ "Dangerous Storm at Mobile". The Times-Picayune. August 2, 1870. Retrieved January 10, 2017 – via Newspapers.com. Open access icon
  9. 1 2 3 4 5 "Atlantic hurricane best track (HURDAT version 2)" (Database). United States National Hurricane Center. April 5, 2023. Retrieved January 14, 2024. Public Domain This article incorporates text from this source, which is in the public domain.
  10. ↑ Partagás, p. 59
  11. 1 2 "The Great Gale on Sunday". Portland Daily Press. September 10, 1870. p. 2. Retrieved December 5, 2023 – via Newspapers.com. Free access icon
  12. ↑ "Terrible Storm in Nova Scotia". North British Daily Mail. Glasgow, Scotland. September 29, 1870. p. 2. Retrieved December 5, 2023 – via Newspapers.com. Free access icon
  13. 1 2 Partagás, p. 61
  14. ↑ Tucker, p. 64
  15. ↑ Partagás, p. 62
  16. ↑ Partagás, pp. 62–64
  17. 1 2 Early American hurricanes 1492-1870, David Ludlum, pg 184
  18. ↑ Partagás, p. 66
  19. 1 2 Bezanilla, Alejandro (August 2000). "History: The Hurricane of Matanzas". Cuban Meteorological Society. Archived from the original on June 19, 2002. Retrieved September 1, 2023.
  20. ↑ "The Hurricane in the West Indies". The Leavenworth Daily Times. October 29, 1870. p. 2. Retrieved September 1, 2023 – via Newspapers.com. Free access icon
  21. ↑ "Hurricane in the Gulf". New Orleans Republican. October 28, 1870. p. 1. Retrieved September 1, 2023 – via Newspapers.com. Free access icon
  22. ↑ Partagás, p. 67
  23. ↑ Partagás, pp. 67–68
  24. 1 2 3 Partagás, p. 68
  25. 1 2 Partagás, p. 69
  26. 1 2 3 "Another Cyclone in Cuba". Minneapolis Daily Tribune. November 12, 1870. p. 2. Retrieved December 14, 2023 – via Newspapers.com. Free access icon
  27. ↑ "Another Hurricane". Daily Kansas State Record. Topeka, Kansas. October 25, 1870. p. 1. Retrieved December 14, 2023 – via Newspapers.com. Free access icon
  28. ↑ "Marine Disasters". The Daily Picayune. New Orleans, Louisiana. October 26, 1870. p. 3. Retrieved December 14, 2023 – via Newspapers.com. Free access icon
  29. ↑ "SS Varuna (+1870)". The Wrecksite. Retrieved December 14, 2023.
  30. ↑ Partagás, pp. 69–70
  31. ↑ Partagás, p. 70
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