User:Cyclonebiskit/1904

Hurricane Two

Category 1 hurricane (SSHWS/NWS)
Surface weather analysis of the hurricane as it made landfall over South Carolina on September 14
Formed	September 8, 1904 (1904-09-08)
Dissipated	September 21, 1904 (1904-09-22)
(Extratropical after September 15)
Highest winds	1-minute sustained: 80 mph (130 km/h)
Fatalities	>18 total
Damage	At least $2.5 million (1904 USD)
Areas affected	East Coast of the United States, Atlantic Canada
Part of the 1904 Atlantic hurricane season

In September 1904, a moderate hurricane caused extensive damage along the East Coast of the United States from South Carolina to Maine.

Meteorological history

Map plotting the storm's track and intensity, according to the Saffir–Simpson scale

Map key

Saffir–Simpson scale

  Tropical depression (≤38 mph, ≤62 km/h)
  Tropical storm (39–73 mph, 63–118 km/h)
  Category 1 (74–95 mph, 119–153 km/h)
  Category 2 (96–110 mph, 154–177 km/h)
  Category 3 (111–129 mph, 178–208 km/h)
  Category 4 (130–156 mph, 209–251 km/h)
  Category 5 (≥157 mph, ≥252 km/h)
  Unknown

Storm type

Tropical cyclone

Subtropical cyclone

Extratropical cyclone, remnant low, tropical disturbance, or monsoon depression

The origins of this hurricane—the second of the 1904 season—are uncertain over the tropical Atlantic Ocean. The first known observations relating to this tropical cyclone are ship observations near 17°N 54°W on September 8. On this day, the system was classified as a tropical storm at 00:00 UTC with maximum sustained winds of 60 mph (95 km/h) within the Atlantic hurricane database (HURDAT) while situated to the east of the Lesser Antilles. Relatively little is known about the development of the system over the next several days as it traveled northwest. By September 11, the system turned west-northwest and is estimated to have reached hurricane status on September 12 to the north-northeast of the Bahamas. The storm reached its peak intensity with estimated winds of 80 mph (130 km/h) by 18:00 UTC. Changing its course back to the northwest, the hurricane later made landfall along the South Carolina coast between Charleston and Wilmington, North Carolina, on September 14.

Weakening slightly overland, the cyclone abruptly accelerated and turned northeast as it interacted with a cold front draped over the Eastern United States. This induced an extratropical transition and the storm lost its tropical characteristics early on September 15. Amplification from an area of high pressure to the northeast induced some re-intensification as the storm became extratropical. The cyclone re-acquired hurricane-force winds while crossing the Delmarva Peninsula. Destructive wind gusts upwards of 100 mph (160 km/h) were observed in Delaware while hurricane- and gale-force winds extended northward to Maine. In Block Island, Rhode Island, winds howled up to 84 mph (135 km/h). The potent storm continued northeast through New England and later reached Nova Scotia late on September 15.

Similar to the cyclone's genesis, uncertainties exist over its dissipation. The original Monthly Weather Review paper on the storm indicates it to have traversed Newfoundland but does not indicate a point of dissipation. Documentation of the storm in 1924 detailed the remnant extratropical cyclone to have persisted until September 21 where its track terminated near 68°N 27°W. The official HURDAT track, however, discontinues the storm over Nova Scotia late on September 15.

Effects in the United States

Southeastern states

Off the coast of Charleston, South Carolina, three fishing boats of the black-owned "mosquito fleet" sank; several people are believed to have died. One crewman of the ill-fated The Pride survived while three others drowned.

Large areas of the Carolinas lost telegraph service. Trains in areas directly impacted by the storm were delayed, but service was largely uninterrupted.

On September 13, a 0.25-mile (0.40 km) wide tornado caused extensive damage from Mount Olive to Faison. Several structures were flattered or severely damaged, a child suffered fatal wounds, and multiple people were injured. All telephone and power lines between Mount Olive and Goldsboro were downed. In all, 20 homes and a few ginneries were destroyed at a cost of $25,000. The following day, another tornado touched down over Durham and caused moderate damage. The tornado twisted trees, shattered glass, and unroofed buildings. In some areas, broken glass was driven with enough force to impale wood. A third tornado traveled along a 3-mile (4.8 km) path starting roughly 1 mile (1.6 km) north of Warrenton. The powerful storm swept homes from their foundations, uprooted trees, and obliterated outbuildings. Two mules were killed on a farm that was largely leveled. Another tornado caused considerable damage near Wise.

Gale-force winds left Wilmington without telegraph service. Travel along the Cape Fear River, where water levels reached their highest in four years, was suspended for the duration of the storm. Little damage took place along the coast as water levels failed to rise to dangerous levels. Gusty winds, however, unroofed several homes in Raleigh. Two fishermen are believed to have drowned off Wrightsville Beach.

Mid-Atlantic states

Map of the Mid-Atlantic states and New England highlighting areas which received 3 in (76 mm) of rain or greater from the hurricane

Damage across the Mid-Atlantic reached $1 million.

Strong winds caused extensive damage across Maryland, downing trees, power lines, and flattening crops. One person was fatally electrocuted in Baltimore after coming in contact with a downed wire.

Winds in Norfolk, Virginia, reached 48 mph (77 km/h), causing the Elizabeth River to back up and flood low-lying areas. Communications with coastal areas were interrupted.

Across Chesapeake Bay, the cyclone's fury raged for ten hours with heavy rain and tremendous wind reported to be the worst in recent memory by locals. Northern areas of the bay in Maryland saw the worst of the storm. Watercraft in Betterton, Tolchester, and Havre de Grace sank, were washed ashore, or otherwise sustained damage while wharves in the former two suffered significant damage. The steamer Joppa, traveling from Easton to Baltimore, pitched and roller amid rough seas for hours with water splashing into her cabins, though the vessel eventually arrived in Baltimore safely. Similar effects were felt along the lower Susquehanna River. A schooner, yacht, and a dozen barges washed ashore and a tugboat sank out on the river.

Along the Delaware River, near Wilmington, the tugboat Israel W. Durham sank; eight of ten people aboard drowned. Along the Delaware breakwater, violent hurricane-force winds drove the schooner E. C. Allen ashore near Lewes, resulting in the death of one of her crew. Elsewhere along the breakwater, five steamers, three schooners, and a pilot boat were also grounded.

Within Lewes, powerful winds unroofed homes and businesses. Telegraph and telephone lines as well as many trees were also downed.

Record rainfall—accumulating to 5.54 in (141 mm)—pelted Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, for 11 hours. City streets flooded in numerous locations and many basements became inundated. Strong winds accompanying this rain defoliated and/or uprooted many trees.

In New York City, the storm's arrival was signaled by strong winds—up to 80 mph (130 km/h)—and intense lightning, though relatively little damage occurred within the city. One person was killed when a cast iron fire escape broke and struck them. The powerful winds shattered hundreds of windows across the city. Trolley and elevated rail service were suspended by 4:00 p.m. local time and traffic was paralyzed. Numerous trees and wires fell during the overnight hours. Heavy rain inundated many streets and flooded cellars; water along Broadway rose to ankle-height. At New York Harbor, 19 barges broke loose from their moorings and several smaller ships were washed ashore during the storm. The steamboat Joseph Church crashed into Peak's Hill bar; all 21 people aboard were rescued safely. The lumber-filled crashed near Center Island and her four crew clung to the wreck until dawn on September 16 before being rescued. A sloop yacht grounded in Oyster Bay; the family of three aboard were rescued but with considerable difficulty.

New England

Damage across New England reached $1 million.

Powerful winds battered much of southern New England as the former hurricane traveled northeast, resulting in widespread damage to trees and power lines. Winds were registered up to 80 mph (130 km/h) in Newport, Rhode Island.

Off Boston, 15 vessels suffered damage or were grounded. The Minneapolis, Columbia, and Prairie of the North Atlantic Training Squadron encountered gale-force winds and were forced to drop anchor; however, none sustained damage.

Effects in Canada

Regarded as the worst storm since an August 1873 hurricane, the storm caused extensive damage to telegraph and telephone service. Southern areas of Nova Scotia experienced the most significant winds A wind shift associated with the cyclone aided firefighters in Halifax, with halting a destructive blaze. Initial southerly gales ahead of the storm pushed the fire toward the business center of Halifax during the early afternoon before shifting to the west during the latter part of the day. This led the flames toward the seafront where it was contained. Ultimately two acres of land and more than a dozen buildings were lost at a cost of $500,000. One person was killed when a tree fell on her and two others sustained injuries. More than 200 marines were dispatched to patrol the affected areas. Two schooners, Golden Hope and Mary Helen, grounded near North Sydney.

Powerful winds battered much of Newfoundland, causing havoc bon onshore and offshore. Along Lark Harbour, many trees fell and fishing vessels were forced to seek shelter in coves. The French schooner Alliance was wrecked at Liverpool Cove and another grounded in Little Harbour. Multiple schooners encountered dangerous conditions over the Grand Banks; the Henry M. Stanley, Horace B. Parker, Landseer, and Aerolite lost equipment and were forced to seek port.

See also

• 1944 Great Atlantic hurricane
• Hurricane Donna

Bibliography

• Partagás, José Fernández; Diaz, H. (1997). A Reconstruction of Historical Tropical Cyclone Frequency in the Atlantic from Documentary and other Historical Sources Part V: 1901-1908. Climate Diagnostics Center.