| 1875 HURRICANE September 14-16th, 1875: A tropical storm was first sighted east of the Lesser Antilles on the 8th. It moved west through the Northern Caribbean, grazing the coasts of Haiti and Cuba along its way. The storm then progressed into the Gulf, striking San Jose Island, then crossing Copana Bay and moving inland. Several chickens roosting in the trees of Mustang Island during the storm perished. Old Velasco was leveled during the tempest. It wasn't until 1891 when it was rebuilt 4 miles upstream of its previous location. The East and West Shoal lighthouses, at Pass Cavallo, were swept into the angry seas, along with their 4 light keepers. Indianola was struck again by a hurricane. There was a disastrous inundation from Matagorda Bay. Three-fourths of the town was swept away...176 lives were lost. The highest wind measured was 88 m.p.h., when the anemometer blew away. Winds were estimated to be near 100 m.p.h. at the storm's peak. The storm surge was estimated near 15 feet. Looters pillaging the dead were killed themselves, 15 in all. Boats were carried 9 miles inland. In Galveston, northeast winds began on the night of the 14th. The wind was "higher and harder" than in 1867. By the 17th, the tide had risen to 6.48 feet above mean low water. Tides up to 10 feet were seen around Galveston Island. Winds were highest from the northwest, 60 mph, after the storm passed by. Some in the area estimated winds of 110 mph. Two channels were cut across the east end of the Island, with one prolonging the Bolivar Channel. Boats were pushed 5 miles inland. Out in the Gulf, the steamer Paisana, full of $200,000 in canvas bags, was lost between Brazos Santiago and Galveston. |