1865 Atlantic hurricane season
Encyclopedia
The 1865 Atlantic hurricane season included two landfalling
hurricanes
, with one that caused over 325 deaths. The first storm was reported on May 30 by ships in the western Caribbean
. A month later, a storm hit southern Texas
, and in late August, a storm paralleled the coastline of the Carolinas. The fourth storm of the season was also the longest-lasting, forming east of the Lesser Antilles
before hitting Guadeloupe and eventually moving ashore in Louisiana
. In both of its major landfalls, the storm left many houses destroyed. There was confusion whether or not the fifth storm of the season was separate from the fourth storm, as both systems struck Louisiana in September. Another hurricane occurred in late September, before the final storm of the season developed north of Panama
. The final hurricane struck Cuba and Key West, Florida before dissipating north of Bermuda
on October 25.
At one time, one hurricane researcher identified a tropical storm over Cuba in late August, although there was no evidence the storm actually existed. There was also a report of a hurricane over Louisiana on October 22, although it is unknown if it was related to other storms in the season. There may have been additional unconfirmed tropical cyclones during the season. Meteorologist Christopher Landsea
estimates up to six storms were missed from the official database, due to small tropical cyclone size, sparse ship reports, and relatively unpopulated coastlines.
on June 30. Its existence is known based on a newspaper report in the New Orleans Times. The winds were estimated at 60 mph (95 km/h); however, it is a potentially unreliable estimate due to a lack of significant population providing observations. The entire track of the storm is unknown.
sustained damage from a storm on August 20. Further ship reports indicated the tropical storm maintained a general northeast track off the North Carolina coastline. On August 22 the storm made its closest approach to the state, and while remaining offshore it produced winds of around 45 mph (72.4 km/h) along the coast. Around that time, the storm attained peak winds of 70 mph (120 km/h) over the ocean. On August 23, high waves from the storm left one ship's cargo a complete wreck. It was last observed on August 24 to the southeast of Nantucket.
. A small cyclone, it tracked westward and struck Guadeloupe
as a fully developed hurricane. Many residents in the small nearby island of Marie-Galante
evacuated to Guadeloupe, but some died in the attempt. In Îles des Saintes
, the hurricane destroyed all but two buildings. Damage was similarly heavy in Basse-Terre
. The overall death toll was estimated at 300, including 36 on Marie-Galante. After moving through the Lesser Antilles, the hurricane moved through the Caribbean Sea, passing between Jamaica and Haiti and bypassing Cuba to the south. It curved northward in the Gulf of Mexico, moving ashore on September 13 near the border between Texas and Louisiana with an estimated atmospheric pressure
of 969 millibars (28.6 inHg).
Upon moving ashore, the hurricane produced high tides as far east as the mouth of the Mississippi River
, in addition to as far inland as Calcasieu Lake
, Louisiana. Three towns were destroyed, causing two of them to be abandoned. Across the state, there were 25 deaths, many of them in Leesburg
. In neighboring Texas, damage was greatest in Orange
, where 196 homes were destroyed out of the 200 in the town. The hurricane capsized 19 boats in the Sabine River, causing multiple deaths. The hurricane weakened over Louisiana and dissipated over Arkansas on September 14. It was also known as the "Sabine River-Lake Calcasieu Storm".
in Havana
. In the city, the hurricane destroyed several boats and houses. A station on the island recorded a pressure of 975 mbar (28.78 inHg), suggesting winds of about 80 mph (135 km/h).
After crossing the island, the hurricane intensified further over the Florida straits until striking Key West, Florida
, where peak winds were estimated around 105 mph (165 km/h). Its pressure was estimated at 969 millibars (28.6 inHg), and the hurricane either sunk or washed every boat ashore at the harbor in Key West. Rainfall totaled 4.1 in (104.1 mm) over a three day period. In nearby Fort Jefferson
in the Dry Tortugas
, the hurricane destroyed one building and damaged several others, killing one person. It later moved across the Florida mainland, weakening slightly. About a dozen ships encountered the hurricane across the western Atlantic, before the storm was last observed on October 25 north of Bermuda.
Landfall (meteorology)
Landfall is the event of a tropical cyclone or a waterspout coming onto land after being over water. When a waterspout makes landfall it is reclassified as a tornado, which can then cause damage inland...
hurricanes
Tropical cyclone
A tropical cyclone is a storm system characterized by a large low-pressure center and numerous thunderstorms that produce strong winds and heavy rain. Tropical cyclones strengthen when water evaporated from the ocean is released as the saturated air rises, resulting in condensation of water vapor...
, with one that caused over 325 deaths. The first storm was reported on May 30 by ships in the western Caribbean
Caribbean
The Caribbean is a crescent-shaped group of islands more than 2,000 miles long separating the Gulf of Mexico and the Caribbean Sea, to the west and south, from the Atlantic Ocean, to the east and north...
. A month later, a storm hit southern Texas
Texas
Texas is the second largest U.S. state by both area and population, and the largest state by area in the contiguous United States.The name, based on the Caddo word "Tejas" meaning "friends" or "allies", was applied by the Spanish to the Caddo themselves and to the region of their settlement in...
, and in late August, a storm paralleled the coastline of the Carolinas. The fourth storm of the season was also the longest-lasting, forming east of the Lesser Antilles
Lesser Antilles
The Lesser Antilles are a long, partly volcanic island arc in the Western Hemisphere. Most of its islands form the eastern boundary of the Caribbean Sea with the Atlantic Ocean, with the remainder located in the southern Caribbean just north of South America...
before hitting Guadeloupe and eventually moving ashore in Louisiana
Louisiana
Louisiana is a state located in the southern region of the United States of America. Its capital is Baton Rouge and largest city is New Orleans. Louisiana is the only state in the U.S. with political subdivisions termed parishes, which are local governments equivalent to counties...
. In both of its major landfalls, the storm left many houses destroyed. There was confusion whether or not the fifth storm of the season was separate from the fourth storm, as both systems struck Louisiana in September. Another hurricane occurred in late September, before the final storm of the season developed north of Panama
Panama
Panama , officially the Republic of Panama , is the southernmost country of Central America. Situated on the isthmus connecting North and South America, it is bordered by Costa Rica to the northwest, Colombia to the southeast, the Caribbean Sea to the north and the Pacific Ocean to the south. The...
. The final hurricane struck Cuba and Key West, Florida before dissipating north of Bermuda
Bermuda
Bermuda is a British overseas territory in the North Atlantic Ocean. Located off the east coast of the United States, its nearest landmass is Cape Hatteras, North Carolina, about to the west-northwest. It is about south of Halifax, Nova Scotia, Canada, and northeast of Miami, Florida...
on October 25.
At one time, one hurricane researcher identified a tropical storm over Cuba in late August, although there was no evidence the storm actually existed. There was also a report of a hurricane over Louisiana on October 22, although it is unknown if it was related to other storms in the season. There may have been additional unconfirmed tropical cyclones during the season. Meteorologist Christopher Landsea
Christopher Landsea
Christopher W. Landsea is an American meteorologist, formerly a research meteorologist with Hurricane Research Division of Atlantic Oceanographic & Meteorological Laboratory at NOAA, and now the Science and Operations Officer at the National Hurricane Center...
estimates up to six storms were missed from the official database, due to small tropical cyclone size, sparse ship reports, and relatively unpopulated coastlines.
Tropical Storm One
On May 30, a tropical storm in the western Caribbean Sea wrecked a ship named the "Golden Rule", which was sailing from New York to the east coast of Nicaragua. The ship first encountered the storm on May 29, reporting high winds and heavy rainfall. After the wreck, the crew sailed to a nearby island, where they were rescued by two United States ships after 10 days. The winds were estimated at 60 mph (95 km/h), although the entire track of the storm is unknown.Tropical Storm Two
The second known storm of the season was reported near Brownsville, TexasBrownsville, Texas
Brownsville is a city in the southernmost tip of the state of Texas, in the United States. It is located on the northern bank of the Rio Grande, directly north and across the border from Matamoros, Tamaulipas, Mexico. Brownsville is the 16th largest city in the state of Texas with a population of...
on June 30. Its existence is known based on a newspaper report in the New Orleans Times. The winds were estimated at 60 mph (95 km/h); however, it is a potentially unreliable estimate due to a lack of significant population providing observations. The entire track of the storm is unknown.
Tropical Storm Three
A ship off the coast of Hatteras, North CarolinaHatteras, North Carolina
Hatteras is an unincorporated community in Dare County, North Carolina, United States, on the Outer Banks island of Hatteras. North Carolina Highway 12 passes through the community linking it to Frisco and Ocracoke . It is south of the famous Cape Hatteras and the Cape Hatteras Lighthouse in Buxton...
sustained damage from a storm on August 20. Further ship reports indicated the tropical storm maintained a general northeast track off the North Carolina coastline. On August 22 the storm made its closest approach to the state, and while remaining offshore it produced winds of around 45 mph (72.4 km/h) along the coast. Around that time, the storm attained peak winds of 70 mph (120 km/h) over the ocean. On August 23, high waves from the storm left one ship's cargo a complete wreck. It was last observed on August 24 to the southeast of Nantucket.
Hurricane Four
The fourth tropical cyclone of the season, also the longest-lasting, was first observed on September 6 to the east of the Lesser AntillesLesser Antilles
The Lesser Antilles are a long, partly volcanic island arc in the Western Hemisphere. Most of its islands form the eastern boundary of the Caribbean Sea with the Atlantic Ocean, with the remainder located in the southern Caribbean just north of South America...
. A small cyclone, it tracked westward and struck Guadeloupe
Guadeloupe
Guadeloupe is an archipelago located in the Leeward Islands, in the Lesser Antilles, with a land area of 1,628 square kilometres and a population of 400,000. It is the first overseas region of France, consisting of a single overseas department. As with the other overseas departments, Guadeloupe...
as a fully developed hurricane. Many residents in the small nearby island of Marie-Galante
Marie-Galante
Marie-Galante is an island of the Caribbean Sea located at the south of Guadeloupe and at north of Dominica. Marie-Galante is a dependence of Guadeloupe which is a french overseas department....
evacuated to Guadeloupe, but some died in the attempt. In Îles des Saintes
Îles des Saintes
The Îles des Saintes , also called simply Les Saintes , is a small archipelago of French Antilles located in the South of Basse-Terre Island, on the West of Marie-Galante and in the North of Dominica in the arc of Lesser Antilles...
, the hurricane destroyed all but two buildings. Damage was similarly heavy in Basse-Terre
Basse-Terre
Basse-Terre is the prefecture of Guadeloupe, an overseas region and department of France located in the Lesser Antilles...
. The overall death toll was estimated at 300, including 36 on Marie-Galante. After moving through the Lesser Antilles, the hurricane moved through the Caribbean Sea, passing between Jamaica and Haiti and bypassing Cuba to the south. It curved northward in the Gulf of Mexico, moving ashore on September 13 near the border between Texas and Louisiana with an estimated atmospheric pressure
Atmospheric pressure
Atmospheric pressure is the force per unit area exerted into a surface by the weight of air above that surface in the atmosphere of Earth . In most circumstances atmospheric pressure is closely approximated by the hydrostatic pressure caused by the weight of air above the measurement point...
of 969 millibars (28.6 inHg).
Upon moving ashore, the hurricane produced high tides as far east as the mouth of the Mississippi River
Mississippi River
The Mississippi River is the largest river system in North America. Flowing entirely in the United States, this river rises in western Minnesota and meanders slowly southwards for to the Mississippi River Delta at the Gulf of Mexico. With its many tributaries, the Mississippi's watershed drains...
, in addition to as far inland as Calcasieu Lake
Calcasieu Lake
Calcasieu Lake is a brackish lake located in southwest Louisiana, United States, located mostly within Cameron Parish. The lake is paralleled on its west shore by Louisiana Highway 27 and is located about 17 miles south of Lake Charles, Louisiana....
, Louisiana. Three towns were destroyed, causing two of them to be abandoned. Across the state, there were 25 deaths, many of them in Leesburg
Cameron, Louisiana
Cameron is a census-designated place in and the parish seat of Cameron Parish, Louisiana, United States. The population was 1,965 at the 2000 census. It is part of the Lake Charles Metropolitan Statistical Area...
. In neighboring Texas, damage was greatest in Orange
Orange, Texas
Orange is a city in Orange County, Texas, United States. As of the 2000 census, the city population was 18,643. It is the county seat of Orange County, and is the easternmost city in Texas. Located on the Sabine River at the border with Louisiana, it is part of the Beaumont–Port Arthur...
, where 196 homes were destroyed out of the 200 in the town. The hurricane capsized 19 boats in the Sabine River, causing multiple deaths. The hurricane weakened over Louisiana and dissipated over Arkansas on September 14. It was also known as the "Sabine River-Lake Calcasieu Storm".
Tropical Storm Five
A tropical storm struck the south-central Louisiana coast on September 7, while the previous system was located over the Caribbean. The storm wrecked a ship, and its winds were estimated around 70 mph (120 km/h). The track was incomplete, and there was a possibility that the storm was misreported as the previous hurricane.Hurricane Six
On September 28, a ship encountered a hurricane to the northeast of the Turks and Caicos islands. The winds in the hurricane extended far to the northwest, and high waves affected the southeast United States coast from Charleston, South Carolina to Cape Hatteras. The hurricane's track is unknown.Hurricane Seven
The final tropical cyclone of the season formed on October 18, just north of the coast of Panama. The storm brushed the country's coast with high waves for several days, causing $300,000 in damage (1865 USD). Moving north-northwestward, the storm intensified into a hurricane by October 21 over the western Caribbean. After turning more to the north, it struck Cuba, producing strong winds that destroyed the roof of the Belen College ObservatoryBelen Jesuit Preparatory School
Belen Jesuit Preparatory School is a Roman Catholic preparatory school in Miami, Florida operated by The Society of Jesus. It was established in Cuba by the Jesuits in 1854, but moved to the United States after the communist government of Fidel Castro, himself an alumnus, took power and expelled...
in Havana
Havana
Havana is the capital city, province, major port, and leading commercial centre of Cuba. The city proper has a population of 2.1 million inhabitants, and it spans a total of — making it the largest city in the Caribbean region, and the most populous...
. In the city, the hurricane destroyed several boats and houses. A station on the island recorded a pressure of 975 mbar (28.78 inHg), suggesting winds of about 80 mph (135 km/h).
After crossing the island, the hurricane intensified further over the Florida straits until striking Key West, Florida
Key West, Florida
Key West is a city in Monroe County, Florida, United States. The city encompasses the island of Key West, the part of Stock Island north of U.S. 1 , Sigsbee Park , Fleming Key , and Sunset Key...
, where peak winds were estimated around 105 mph (165 km/h). Its pressure was estimated at 969 millibars (28.6 inHg), and the hurricane either sunk or washed every boat ashore at the harbor in Key West. Rainfall totaled 4.1 in (104.1 mm) over a three day period. In nearby Fort Jefferson
Dry Tortugas National Park
Dry Tortugas National Park preserves Fort Jefferson and the Dry Tortugas section of the Florida Keys. The park covers 101 mi2 , mostly water, about 68 statute miles west of Key West in the Gulf of Mexico....
in the Dry Tortugas
Dry Tortugas
The Dry Tortugas are a small group of islands, located at the end of the Florida Keys, USA, about west of Key West, and west of the Marquesas Keys, the closest islands. Still further west is the Tortugas Bank, which is completely submerged. The first Europeans to discover the islands were the...
, the hurricane destroyed one building and damaged several others, killing one person. It later moved across the Florida mainland, weakening slightly. About a dozen ships encountered the hurricane across the western Atlantic, before the storm was last observed on October 25 north of Bermuda.