1871 — Oct 3-5, hurricane, esp. TX coast, steamer C.K. Hall wrecks off Cedar Point, TX–>15

–>15 Blanchard estimate based on locality breakouts noted below.
— >6 Roth, David (NWS). Texas Hurricane History. Jan 17, 2010 update, p. 8.

— >3 Galveston. Roth, David (NWS). Texas Hurricane History. Jan 17, 2010 update, p. 8.
— >3 Elsewhere along coast. Roth (NWS). Texas Hurricane History. 1-17-2010 update, 20.
— 9 Steamer C. K. Hall (our #). Galveston News. “Additional Storm Disasters.” 10-6-1871, 2.
— >7 Steamer C. K. Hall. New York Herald. “Marine Disasters.” 10-17-1871, p. 21. (See Oct 9)

Narrative Information

Roth: “September 30-October 3rd, 1871: The third tropical cyclone to affect Texas in 1871 moved just offshore the length of the coast. On Mustang Island, it was the strongest gale in 16 years. On. The 30th, strong east winds at Indianola increased tides “at an alarming rate”…lower portions of town quickly flooded. As winds increased, most of Indianola flooded. Damage was widespread near Powder Horn Bayou. Waters receded on the 2nd, as northerly winds swept flood waters back into the Gulf of Mexico. Tides at Indianola were the highest since 1844. A weather observation site was established at the city soon afterward by the U.S. Signal Service, in May 1872.

“Torrential rains wreaked havoc at Lavaca. High tides flooded warehouses under the bluff. The jail at Lavaca was washed away. The 4.90” of rain which fell on the 2nd established a rainfall record for the date for Galveston. Serious damage was done to the railroad property near Chocolate Bayou. Water became knee deep on the Strand in Galveston. Many people perished, including at least three from Galveston.

“The steamer Beardstown was blown onto the wreck of the Mollie Hambleton and received significant damage. The steamer C. K. Hall went down off Cedar Point. All hands were lost except for one Swedish sailor (Guthrie)…..The steamer Twelfth Era, initially anchored off the point of Pelican Island, was totally wrecked. A 25-ton schooner washed upon the railroad tracks near Galveston. The schooner Sarah Cole was also blown ashore.” (Roth, David (NWS). Texas Hurricane History. Jan 17, 2010 update, pp. 19-20.)

Newspaper

Oct 3, Galveston News: “Houston Local….The Storm. We are having a severe storm up here ‘on dry ground;’ and knowing that they are catching it on the ‘Island,’ we are really alarmed for our Galveston friends. We hope to hear good news from them tomorrow.” (Galveston News, TX. “Houston Local…The Storm.” 10-3-1871, p. 3.)

Oct 4, New Orleans Republican: “The Last Great Storm – Effects of Wind and Rain. …an uncommon storm of wind and rain commenced Monday evening and continued all night and yesterday with scarce a moment’s abatement in violence until about two o’clock last evening…

“When the city awoke yesterday morning all found themselves weather bound, no egress from home being possible except by skiffs, rafts, or deep wading. This fact applied more especially to the Fourth District and to the rear portions of our city, as it seems that more rain fell in sections above Canal street than below.

“At daybreak sky and air were full of water, while the wind blew almost a hurricane in strong gusts, driving drenching sheets of penetrating mists into every nook and corner. Very few streets escaped an overflow, and all sorts of people brought to mind bits of history concerning a threatened tidal wave….Going to market or grocery was next to impossible – the family stood at doors and windows, intently watching the progress of the storm or wondering when the water would subside sufficiently to permit emerging from the house.

“It is pleasant to say that there is not a single fatal accident to report….Business was almost entirely suspended; stores on Canal, Camp and other central thoroughfares kept their doors closed….Rain had so thoroughly penetrated the ground that even an ordinary wind might have uprooted trees. Prostrated trees were visible on almost every street….” (New Orleans Republican, LA. “Local Intelligence. The Last Great Storm.” 10-4-1871, p. 3.)

Oct 6, Galveston News: “From Capt. Kipp of Clear Creek, we learn that the C. K. Hall, a steamer loaded with brick, bound for this city, was wrecked near Edwards’s Point, on Monday night last [Oct 4]. Portions of the wreck were found four miles north of the above point. At one place on the beach, three spars were found lashed together, and there were evidences that some persons had been clinging to them, within in a day or so. Capt. A. LeClerc, the owner and Captain of the C. K. Hall, was on board at the time of the storm, as was Richard Neagle; a son of Joe. Taylor; U.S. Inspector of boiler, Alfred Rose; cook and five deck hands, names unknown.

“Capt. LeClerc’s trunk, containing papers and clothing, was picked up by the Light House keeper at Red Fish Bar. These are all the facts which could be gleaned up to this writing.

“The information of the total wreck of the sloop ‘Little Rebel,’ has also reached us today. She lies five miles from Edward’s Point. She had some cargo. Nothing is known of her crew….” (Galveston Daily News. “Additional Storm Disasters.” 10-6-1871, p. 2.)

Oct 9/Galveston, New York Herald: “Galveston, Oct 9 – The steamer C K Hall was lost on the night of the late storm. Portions of the wreck are strewn from Edwards’ Point four miles north. Nothing has been heard of the crew or passengers. All are supposed lost. Seven bodies have been found near the mouth of Clear Creek so disfigured that only two were recognized – Capt. Laciere and Richard Nagle – and the pants of another marked J. H. Crump. A boy’s body also floated ashore. A Swede, named Lasson, now in town, claims to be the only one saved.” (New York Herald. “Marine Disasters.” 10-17-1871, p. 21.)

Oct 10, NY Herald: “Steamer C. K. Hall. – Galveston, Oct. 9. The steamer C. K. Hall was lost in a storm on the 3d inst., with all on board except Otto Lasson.” (New York Herald. “Marine Disasters,” Oct 10, 1871, p. 5.)

Sources

Galveston Daily News. “Additional Storm Disasters.” 10-6-1871, p. 2. Accessed 9-14-2022 at: https://newspaperarchive.com/galveston-daily-news-oct-06-1871-p-3/

Galveston Daily News, TX. “Houston Local…The Storm.” 10-3-1871, p. 3. Accessed 9-14-2022 at: https://newspaperarchive.com/galveston-daily-news-oct-03-1871-p-3/

New Orleans Republican, LA. “Local Intelligence. The Last Great Storm.” 10-4-1871, p. 3. Accessed 9-14-2022 at: https://newspaperarchive.com/new-orleans-republican-oct-04-1871-p-3/

New York Herald. “Marine Disasters,” Oct 10, 1871, p. 5. Accessed 9-14-2022 at:
https://newspaperarchive.com/new-york-herald-oct-10-1871-p-32/

New York Herald. “Marine Disasters.” 10-17-1871, p. 21. Accessed 9-14-2022 at: https://newspaperarchive.com/new-york-herald-oct-17-1871-p-21/

Roth, David (National Weather Service). Texas Hurricane History. Camp Springs, MD: NWS. 1-17-2010 update. Accessed 11-22-2017 at: http://www.hpc.ncep.noaa.gov/research/txhur.pdf