Gale of 1878
| Category 2 hurricane (SSHWS/NWS) | |
Reconstructed weather map of the hurricane over Maryland
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| Formed | October 18, 1878 |
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| Dissipated | October 23, 1878 |
| Highest winds |
1-minute sustained: 105 mph (165 km/h) |
| Lowest pressure | 963 mbar (hPa); 28.44 inHg |
| Fatalities | 71 direct |
| Damage | $2 million (1878 USD) |
| Areas affected | Cuba, Bahamas, North Carolina, Virginia, Delaware, Washington D.C., Maryland, New York, Pennsylvania, New England |
| Part of the 1878 Atlantic hurricane season | |
The Gale of 1878, was an intense Category 2 hurricane that was active between October 18 and October 25. It caused extensive damage from Cuba to New England. Believed to be the strongest storm to hit the Washington - Baltimore region since hurricane records began in 1851, A complete record exists of this hurricane throughout its lifecycle from formation to dissipation.
A tropical storm formed off the coast of Jamaica on October 18, 1878, and moved nearly due north. On October 20, the storm reached hurricane status and on October 21, the hurricane struck Cuba. The damage in Cuba was only minor and three schooners sank. The hurricane continued moving northeast and made landfall in North Carolina where it wrecked a schooner and several steamers. The storm later continued inland moving at speeds between 40-50 mph, carrying hurricane-force winds as far as Richmond, Virginia, before merging with an extratropical storm over New England.
The hurricane killed at least 71 people and left $2 million in damage (1878 USD).
Hurricane conditions were reported at Havana. Much damage was done to buildings, though three schooners sank over waters. Pressure reports were missing during the storm's passage over the isle, and the lowest pressure noted was 29.67" at 4:25 p.m. Observations were sporadic during the cyclone's passage over the island.
There were sustained wind speeds over 100 mph recorded at Cape Lookout, North Carolina. Several ships and schooners sank during the storm, including the steamer City of Houston which was lost on Frying Pan Shoals.
In Virginia, the hurricane damaged several weather stations and 19 sailors drowned when their ship, the A.S.Davis, was driven ashore at Virginia Beach during the storm. There was heavy tree and building damage in Richmond.
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Wikipedia