1868 Atlantic hurricane season
| 1868 Atlantic hurricane season | |
|---|---|
Season summary map
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| Seasonal boundaries | |
| First system formed | September 3, 1868 |
| Last system dissipated | October 17, 1868 |
| Strongest storm | |
| Name | One, Two, and Four |
| • Maximum winds | 105 mph (165 km/h) (1-minute sustained) |
| Seasonal statistics | |
| Total depressions | 4 |
| Total storms | 4 |
| Hurricanes | 3 |
| Total fatalities | 2 |
| Total damage | $5,000 (1868 USD) |
| Category 2 hurricane (SSHWS) | |
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| Duration | September 3 – September 7 |
|---|---|
| Peak intensity | 105 mph (165 km/h) (1-min) |
| Tropical storm (SSHWS) | |
 |
|
| Duration | October 1 – October 6 |
|---|---|
| Peak intensity | 70 mph (110 km/h) (1-min) |
| Category 2 hurricane (SSHWS) | |
 |
|
| Duration | October 5 – October 7 |
|---|---|
| Peak intensity | 105 mph (165 km/h) (1-min) |
| Category 2 hurricane (SSHWS) | |
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|
| Duration | October 15 – October 17 |
|---|---|
| Peak intensity | 105 mph (165 km/h) (1-min) |
The 1868 Atlantic hurricane season was among the quietest on record, with only four tropical cyclones recorded. Only three seasons had fewer storms than in 1868, and seven had the same number of storms. Initially, there were no known storms during the season, although a re-analysis confirmed the activity. All tropical activity occurred within a 45‑day span. There may have been other 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.
Only one of the storms, the second, made landfall, doing so near Apalachicola, Florida. It produced heavy rainfall and gusty winds across the southeastern United States, although there was no severe damage associated with the storm. The first hurricane killed two people when a ship passed through its winds for 14 hours. The third hurricane, located in the western Caribbean Sea, did not affect land, although two ships experienced its strong winds. The final hurricane lasted three days across the western Atlantic, forcing one ship to halt its voyage due to storm damage.
The first known tropical cyclone of the season was observed on September 3, about halfway between the Bahamas and Bermuda. A nearby ship estimated winds of 80 mph (130 km), indicating the presence of the hurricane. It moved northward initially, passing about 220 mi (355 km) west of Bermuda on September 4. Thereafter, the hurricane turned toward the northeast, and the ship "John Richardson" encountered gale force winds on September 5, resulting in a wreck of its cargo. On September 6, it was estimated to have reached peak winds of 105 mph (165 km/h), based on observations from the ship with the call sign "Greenock". The hurricane lashed the ship with strong winds for 14 hours, killing the captain and one crewman. At the time, it was about 400 mi (640 km) southeast of Halifax, Nova Scotia. Turning to the northeast, the hurricane passed south of Newfoundland before last being observed on September 7.
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Wikipedia