Great Hurricane of 1780

The Great Hurricane of 1780 is considered the deadliest Atlantic tropical cyclone of all time. About 22,000 people died when the storm swept over Martinique, St. Eustatius and Barbados between October 10 and October 16. Thousands of deaths also occurred offshore.

Related Topics:
Atlantic - Tropical cyclone - Martinique - St. Eustatius - Barbados - October 10 - October 16

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The hurricane struck the Caribbean in the midst of the American Revolution and took a heavy toll on the British and French fleets contesting for control of the area. The fleet commanded by British Admiral George Rodney, sailing from New York to the West Indies, was scattered and damaged by the storm. Arriving at Barbados, Admiral Rodney found eight of 12 warships he had left there a total loss and most of their crews drowned.

Related Topics:
Caribbean - American Revolution - British - French - George Rodney - New York - West Indies - Barbados

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A British scout sent to survey the damage reported that the storm had lingered near Barbados for two days. The destruction was so great that the scout mistakenly thought that an earthquake had accompanied the storm. The island was almost completely leveled. Dozens of fishing boats failed to return from their trips. Almost every family living on the island lost a family member in the storm.

Related Topics:
Barbados - Earthquake

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Other Atlantic storms that caused very high numbers of deaths include Hurricane Mitch and the Galveston Hurricane of 1900.

Related Topics:
Hurricane Mitch - Galveston Hurricane of 1900

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