1874 Atlantic hurricane season
Encyclopedia
The 1874 Atlantic hurricane season was a relatively inactive one, in which seven tropical cyclones
developed. Three storms intensified into hurricanes, and interestingly enough, no storms attained major hurricane status, a system with maximum sustained winds
of 111 mph
(178 km/h) or greater. The first storm of the season developed on July 2, just over a month before the traditional start of the hurricane season
. The final storm was last sighted on November 4, while situated just to the north of the Bahamas. Storm data is largely based on the Atlantic hurricane database (HURDAT), which recognizes all storm formation and dissipation during the 1874 season.
Most of the systems directly impacted land. A tropical storm that developed in the Bay of Campeche
during the month of September destroyed the Brazos Santiago lighthouse in the state of Texas
. The sixth storm of the season, and also the third hurricane, made landfall
in Florida
as a Category 1 hurricane
before making a second landfall in South Carolina
at the same intensity. The seventh, final, and strongest system of the season developed in the Caribbean
on the last day of October, and made landfall in Jamaica
as a Category 2 hurricane before weakening to a tropical storm by the time it made a second landfall in Eastern
Cuba
. The storm was last sighted to the north of the Bahamas on November 4, as a Category 1 hurricane.
hurricane database (HURDAT) officially recognizes seven tropical cyclones from the 1874 season. Four storms attained hurricane status, with winds of 75 mph
(119 km/h) or greater. The seventh hurricane of the season was the most intense, with maximum sustained winds up to 100 mph (165 km/h). The first storm of the season was a tropical storm that formed in the Gulf of Mexico
during the month of July. The system made landfall near Galveston, Texas
on July 5, although it is unknown whether any damages or fatalities were caused as a result of the storm. The second and third systems of the season were both hurricanes, with winds up to 80 mph (130 km/h) and 90 mph (150 km/h) respectively. The first system made landfall in Newfoundland as a tropical storm. In early September, another tropical system developed in the Bay of Campeche and made landfall in Northeast Mexico
with winds up to 60 mph (95 km/h). The fifth storm of the season formed northeast of the Bahamas on September 8, and moved northward before turning to the north-northeast. It was last sighted to the south
of Newfoundland on September 11. The next system developed in the western
Caribbean on the last day of October, before crossing over the Yucatan Peninsula
and making landfall in Florida as a Category 1 hurricane. The storm briefly weakened to a tropical storm over the state before restrengthening into a hurricane off the coast of Georgia
. It made a second landfall in South Carolina on September 28, and became Extratropical on September 30, while moving across the northeast. This was the first hurricane to ever be shown on a weather map. The seventh, final, and most intense hurricane of the season developed several hundred miles north
of Panama
on the last day of October, before striking Jamaica as a Category 2 hurricane. It weakened to a tropical storm before making landfall in Eastern Cuba, but later strengthened into a hurricane again while north of the Bahamas, where it was last sighted on November 4.
. Moving westward
, the tropical storm steadily strengthened to reach a peak intensity of 60 mph (90 km/h) on July 3. Holding steady in strength, the tropical storm made landfall near Galveston, Texas on July 5, and then rapidly dissipated shortly after moving inland that same day. In Indianola, Texas
, the storm blew down fledgling settlements and sank ships, seriously hindering coastal trade.
. Moving towards the west-northwest, the storm steadily gained strength, and reached hurricane strength at 0000 UTC September 2 (8 p.m. AST September 1). On September 6, the storm reached a peak intensity of 90 mph (150 km/h). Moving just to the west of Bermuda, the storm began to turn more northerly, and transitioned into an extratropical system the following day. On September 8, the storm made landfall in Newfoundland as an extratropical storm.
. Making landfall on the Yucatan Peninsula shortly afterwards, the storm briefly weakened into a tropical depression. However, upon emerging into the Gulf of Mexico, it attained tropical storm status once again. Steadily gaining strength, the storm reached hurricane status on September 28, after reports from the ship "Emma D. Finney" indicated such. It made landfall near Cedar Key, Florida
several hours later, with an estimated minimum central pressure of 981 millibars (29 inHg). The storm was briefly downgraded into a tropical storm over the central portion of the state, but strengthened into a hurricane again after exiting near Jacksonville, Florida
and crossing the Gulf Stream
. It hit South Carolina as a hurricane that same day, and lost hurricane status for a final time over eastern North Carolina. Moving towards the north-northeast, the storm moved into the Northeast United States, and it transitioned into an Extratropical cyclone on September 30, while over the state of Maine
. On October 1, it dissipated over eastern Canada
. In North Carolina, Virginia, and several other states to the north, there were reports of trees down, and the hurricane disrupted shipping. This was also the first hurricane ever to be recorded on a weather map.
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...
developed. Three storms intensified into hurricanes, and interestingly enough, no storms attained major hurricane status, a system with maximum sustained winds
Maximum sustained wind
The maximum sustained winds associated with a tropical cyclone are a common indicator of the intensity of the storm. Within a mature tropical cyclone, they are found within the eyewall at a distance defined as the radius of maximum wind, or RMW. Unlike gusts, the value of these winds are...
of 111 mph
MPH
MPH is a three-letter acronym that refers to miles per hour, a measurement of speedMPH may also refer to:* Make Poverty History, a campaign supported by Bob Geldof to end poverty in Africa...
(178 km/h) or greater. The first storm of the season developed on July 2, just over a month before the traditional start of the hurricane season
Atlantic hurricane season
The Atlantic hurricane season is the period in a year when hurricanes usually form in the Atlantic Ocean. Tropical cyclones in the North Atlantic are called hurricanes, tropical storms, or tropical depressions. In addition, there have been several storms over the years that have not been fully...
. The final storm was last sighted on November 4, while situated just to the north of the Bahamas. Storm data is largely based on the Atlantic hurricane database (HURDAT), which recognizes all storm formation and dissipation during the 1874 season.
Most of the systems directly impacted land. A tropical storm that developed in the Bay of Campeche
Bay of Campeche
The Bay of Campeche is the southern bight of the Gulf of Mexico. It is surrounded on three sides by the Mexican states of Campeche, Tabasco and Veracruz. It was named by Francisco Hernández de Córdoba and Antonio de Alaminos during their expedition in 1517...
during the month of September destroyed the Brazos Santiago lighthouse in the state of 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...
. The sixth storm of the season, and also the third hurricane, made landfall
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...
in Florida
Florida
Florida is a state in the southeastern United States, located on the nation's Atlantic and Gulf coasts. It is bordered to the west by the Gulf of Mexico, to the north by Alabama and Georgia and to the east by the Atlantic Ocean. With a population of 18,801,310 as measured by the 2010 census, it...
as a Category 1 hurricane
Saffir-Simpson Hurricane Scale
The Saffir–Simpson Hurricane Scale , or the Saffir–Simpson Hurricane Wind Scale , classifies hurricanes — Western Hemisphere tropical cyclones that exceed the intensities of tropical depressions and tropical storms — into five categories distinguished by the intensities of their sustained winds...
before making a second landfall in South Carolina
South Carolina
South Carolina is a state in the Deep South of the United States that borders Georgia to the south, North Carolina to the north, and the Atlantic Ocean to the east. Originally part of the Province of Carolina, the Province of South Carolina was one of the 13 colonies that declared independence...
at the same intensity. The seventh, final, and strongest system of the season developed in the Caribbean
Caribbean Sea
The Caribbean Sea is a sea of the Atlantic Ocean located in the tropics of the Western hemisphere. It is bounded by Mexico and Central America to the west and southwest, to the north by the Greater Antilles, and to the east by the Lesser Antilles....
on the last day of October, and made landfall in Jamaica
Jamaica
Jamaica is an island nation of the Greater Antilles, in length, up to in width and 10,990 square kilometres in area. It is situated in the Caribbean Sea, about south of Cuba, and west of Hispaniola, the island harbouring the nation-states Haiti and the Dominican Republic...
as a Category 2 hurricane before weakening to a tropical storm by the time it made a second landfall in Eastern
East
East is a noun, adjective, or adverb indicating direction or geography.East is one of the four cardinal directions or compass points. It is the opposite of west and is perpendicular to north and south.By convention, the right side of a map is east....
Cuba
Cuba
The Republic of Cuba is an island nation in the Caribbean. The nation of Cuba consists of the main island of Cuba, the Isla de la Juventud, and several archipelagos. Havana is the largest city in Cuba and the country's capital. Santiago de Cuba is the second largest city...
. The storm was last sighted to the north of the Bahamas on November 4, as a Category 1 hurricane.
Season Summary
The AtlanticAtlantic Ocean
The Atlantic Ocean is the second-largest of the world's oceanic divisions. With a total area of about , it covers approximately 20% of the Earth's surface and about 26% of its water surface area...
hurricane database (HURDAT) officially recognizes seven tropical cyclones from the 1874 season. Four storms attained hurricane status, with winds of 75 mph
MPH
MPH is a three-letter acronym that refers to miles per hour, a measurement of speedMPH may also refer to:* Make Poverty History, a campaign supported by Bob Geldof to end poverty in Africa...
(119 km/h) or greater. The seventh hurricane of the season was the most intense, with maximum sustained winds up to 100 mph (165 km/h). The first storm of the season was a tropical storm that formed in the Gulf of Mexico
Gulf of Mexico
The Gulf of Mexico is a partially landlocked ocean basin largely surrounded by the North American continent and the island of Cuba. It is bounded on the northeast, north and northwest by the Gulf Coast of the United States, on the southwest and south by Mexico, and on the southeast by Cuba. In...
during the month of July. The system made landfall near Galveston, Texas
Galveston, Texas
Galveston is a coastal city located on Galveston Island in the U.S. state of Texas. , the city had a total population of 47,743 within an area of...
on July 5, although it is unknown whether any damages or fatalities were caused as a result of the storm. The second and third systems of the season were both hurricanes, with winds up to 80 mph (130 km/h) and 90 mph (150 km/h) respectively. The first system made landfall in Newfoundland as a tropical storm. In early September, another tropical system developed in the Bay of Campeche and made landfall in Northeast Mexico
Mexico
The United Mexican States , commonly known as Mexico , is a federal constitutional republic in North America. It is bordered on the north by the United States; on the south and west by the Pacific Ocean; on the southeast by Guatemala, Belize, and the Caribbean Sea; and on the east by the Gulf of...
with winds up to 60 mph (95 km/h). The fifth storm of the season formed northeast of the Bahamas on September 8, and moved northward before turning to the north-northeast. It was last sighted to the south
South
South is a noun, adjective, or adverb indicating direction or geography.South is one of the four cardinal directions or compass points. It is the opposite of north and is perpendicular to east and west.By convention, the bottom side of a map is south....
of Newfoundland on September 11. The next system developed in the western
West
West is a noun, adjective, or adverb indicating direction or geography.West is one of the four cardinal directions or compass points. It is the opposite of east and is perpendicular to north and south.By convention, the left side of a map is west....
Caribbean on the last day of October, before crossing over the Yucatan Peninsula
Yucatán Peninsula
The Yucatán Peninsula, in southeastern Mexico, separates the Caribbean Sea from the Gulf of Mexico, with the northern coastline on the Yucatán Channel...
and making landfall in Florida as a Category 1 hurricane. The storm briefly weakened to a tropical storm over the state before restrengthening into a hurricane off the coast of Georgia
Georgia (U.S. state)
Georgia is a state located in the southeastern United States. It was established in 1732, the last of the original Thirteen Colonies. The state is named after King George II of Great Britain. Georgia was the fourth state to ratify the United States Constitution, on January 2, 1788...
. It made a second landfall in South Carolina on September 28, and became Extratropical on September 30, while moving across the northeast. This was the first hurricane to ever be shown on a weather map. The seventh, final, and most intense hurricane of the season developed several hundred miles north
North
North is a noun, adjective, or adverb indicating direction or geography.North is one of the four cardinal directions or compass points. It is the opposite of south and is perpendicular to east and west.By convention, the top side of a map is 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...
on the last day of October, before striking Jamaica as a Category 2 hurricane. It weakened to a tropical storm before making landfall in Eastern Cuba, but later strengthened into a hurricane again while north of the Bahamas, where it was last sighted on November 4.
Tropical Storm One
On July 2, a tropical storm reportedly developed in the Gulf of Mexico, while located a couple of hundred miles to the south of the Florida PanhandleFlorida Panhandle
The Florida Panhandle, an informal, unofficial term for the northwestern part of Florida, is a strip of land roughly 200 miles long and 50 to 100 miles wide , lying between Alabama on the north and the west, Georgia also on the north, and the Gulf of Mexico to the south. Its eastern boundary is...
. Moving westward
West
West is a noun, adjective, or adverb indicating direction or geography.West is one of the four cardinal directions or compass points. It is the opposite of east and is perpendicular to north and south.By convention, the left side of a map is west....
, the tropical storm steadily strengthened to reach a peak intensity of 60 mph (90 km/h) on July 3. Holding steady in strength, the tropical storm made landfall near Galveston, Texas on July 5, and then rapidly dissipated shortly after moving inland that same day. In Indianola, Texas
Indianola, Texas
Indianola is a ghost town located on Matagorda Bay in Calhoun County, Texas, United States. The community, once the county seat of Calhoun County, is a part of the Victoria, Texas, Metropolitan Statistical Area. In 1875, the city had a population of 5,000, but on September 15 of that year, a...
, the storm blew down fledgling settlements and sank ships, seriously hindering coastal trade.
Hurricane Two
On August 3, a tropical storm developed in the open Atlantic, several hundred miles away from any landmasses. Slowly gaining strength, the system reached hurricane status and a peak intensity of 80 mph (130 km/h) while located just northeast of the island of Bermuda on August 5. The system weakened back to a tropical storm on August 7, and made landfall on Newfoundland the same day, with maximum sustained winds up to 70 mph (110 km/h). It dissipated shortly afterwards.Hurricane Three
On August 29, a tropical storm developed a few hundred miles to the west of the Cape Verde IslandsCape Verde
The Republic of Cape Verde is an island country, spanning an archipelago of 10 islands located in the central Atlantic Ocean, 570 kilometres off the coast of Western Africa...
. Moving towards the west-northwest, the storm steadily gained strength, and reached hurricane strength at 0000 UTC September 2 (8 p.m. AST September 1). On September 6, the storm reached a peak intensity of 90 mph (150 km/h). Moving just to the west of Bermuda, the storm began to turn more northerly, and transitioned into an extratropical system the following day. On September 8, the storm made landfall in Newfoundland as an extratropical storm.
Tropical Storm Four
On September 2, a tropical storm developed in the Bay of Campeche. Moving generally towards the west-northwest, the storm reached a peak intensity of 60 mph (95 km/h) on September 4, while approaching landfall in Northeastern Mexico. Shortly thereafter, the storm made landfall and quickly weakened into a tropical depression. Moving northward through Central Texas, the storm dissipated on September 7, while located to the southwest of the Dallas-Fort Worth, Texas metroplex. The storm is responsible for destroying the Brazos Santiago lighthouse.Tropical Storm Five
On September 8, a tropical storm was observed to the northeast of the Bahamas. Moving towards the west-northwest, the tropical storm held its intensity of 60 mph (95 km/h) as it passed between North Carolina and Bermuda. Turning towards the northeast, it was last observed to the south of Newfoundland on September 11.Hurricane Six
On September 25, a tropical storm developed in the western Caribbean, north of HondurasHonduras
Honduras is a republic in Central America. It was previously known as Spanish Honduras to differentiate it from British Honduras, which became the modern-day state of Belize...
. Making landfall on the Yucatan Peninsula shortly afterwards, the storm briefly weakened into a tropical depression. However, upon emerging into the Gulf of Mexico, it attained tropical storm status once again. Steadily gaining strength, the storm reached hurricane status on September 28, after reports from the ship "Emma D. Finney" indicated such. It made landfall near Cedar Key, Florida
Cedar Key, Florida
Cedar Key is a city in Levy County, Florida, United States. The population was 790 at the 2000 census. According to the U.S Census estimates of 2005, the city had a population of 958. The Cedar Keys are a cluster of islands close to the mainland. Most of the developed area of the city has been on...
several hours later, with an estimated minimum central pressure of 981 millibars (29 inHg). The storm was briefly downgraded into a tropical storm over the central portion of the state, but strengthened into a hurricane again after exiting near Jacksonville, Florida
Jacksonville, Florida
Jacksonville is the largest city in the U.S. state of Florida in terms of both population and land area, and the largest city by area in the contiguous United States. It is the county seat of Duval County, with which the city government consolidated in 1968...
and crossing the Gulf Stream
Gulf Stream
The Gulf Stream, together with its northern extension towards Europe, the North Atlantic Drift, is a powerful, warm, and swift Atlantic ocean current that originates at the tip of Florida, and follows the eastern coastlines of the United States and Newfoundland before crossing the Atlantic Ocean...
. It hit South Carolina as a hurricane that same day, and lost hurricane status for a final time over eastern North Carolina. Moving towards the north-northeast, the storm moved into the Northeast United States, and it transitioned into an Extratropical cyclone on September 30, while over the state of Maine
Maine
Maine is a state in the New England region of the northeastern United States, bordered by the Atlantic Ocean to the east and south, New Hampshire to the west, and the Canadian provinces of Quebec to the northwest and New Brunswick to the northeast. Maine is both the northernmost and easternmost...
. On October 1, it dissipated over eastern Canada
Canada
Canada is a North American country consisting of ten provinces and three territories. Located in the northern part of the continent, it extends from the Atlantic Ocean in the east to the Pacific Ocean in the west, and northward into the Arctic Ocean...
. In North Carolina, Virginia, and several other states to the north, there were reports of trees down, and the hurricane disrupted shipping. This was also the first hurricane ever to be recorded on a weather map.
Hurricane Seven
On October 31, a tropical storm developed to the north of Panama. Moving towards the east-northeast, the storm attained hurricane status on November 1, while situated just south of Jamaica. Upon making landfall in the island nation on November 2, the storm strengthened into a Category 2 hurricane with 100 mph (155 km/h) winds, becoming the strongest system of the 1874 season. After crossing Jamaica, the system weakened into a Category 1 hurricane and then further into a tropical storm upon making landfall in eastern Cuba. On November 3, the system emerged in the Bahamas region, and strengthened into a hurricane once again the following day. On November 4, the storm was last sighted to the northeast of the Bahamas.See Also
- List of tropical cyclones
- List of Atlantic hurricane seasons
- List of Newfoundland hurricanes