The Great Galveston Disaster, Containing a Full and Thrilling Account of the Most Appalling Calamity of Modern Times Page: 27
xiv, 17-536 p. : front., plates ; 24 cm.View a full description of this book.
Extracted Text
The following text was automatically extracted from the image on this page using optical character recognition software:
FIRST NEWS OF THE GREAT CALAMITY. 27
Savannah. On the fifth storm warnings were also ordered displayed
on the Gulf coast from Pensacola, Fla., to Port Eads, La.
During the sixth barometric conditions over the eastern portion
of the United States so far changed as to prevent the movement
of the storm along the Atlantic coast, and it therefore continued
northwest over the Gulf of Mexico.
On the morning of the seventh it was apparently central
south of the Louisiana coast, about longitude 28, latitude 89. At
this time storm signals were ordered up on the North Texas
coast, and during the day were extended along the entire coast.
On the morning of the eighth the storm was nearing the Texas
coast, and was apparently central at about latitude 28, longitude
94. The last report received from Galveston, dated 3.40 P. M.
September 8, showed a barometric pressure of 29.22 inches, with
a wind of forty-two miles an hour, northeast, indicating that the
centre of the storm was quite close to that city.
ALWAYS IN DANGER DURING A HURRICANE.
At this time the heavy sea from the southeast was constantly
rising and already covered the streets of about half the city. Up
to Sunday morning no reports were received from southern Texas,
but the barometer at Fort Worth gave some indications that the
storm was passing into the southern portion of the State. An
observation taken at San Antonio at II o'clock, but not received
until half-past five, indicated that the centre of the storm had
passed a short distance east of the place, and had then turned in
the northward.
Situated as Galveston is, with much of the shore but a few
feet above the mean high water, there is so scant a margin of
safety that, as was the case on the South Carolina Sea Islands on
August 27, 1893, and among the bayous of Louisiana in October
of the same year, any abnormal tide means death and destruction.
Sabine Pass is a mere sand spit, and Galveston Island
itself is but a few feet above the ocean level at the best, and is
but three feet above high tide in many places. As the gite
storm wave raised by the cyclonic winds of the average hurricane
Upcoming Pages
Here’s what’s next.
Search Inside
This book can be searched. Note: Results may vary based on the legibility of text within the document.
Related Items
Other items on this site that are directly related to the current book.
The Great Galveston Disaster, Containing a Full and Thrilling Account of the Most Appalling Calamity of Modern Times (Book)
This book covers the Galveston Hurricane of 1900, the United States' deadliest natural disaster. It includes accounts from survivors and eyewitnesses, and photos of the devastation.
Tools / Downloads
Get a copy of this page or view the extracted text.
Citing and Sharing
Basic information for referencing this web page. We also provide extended guidance on usage rights, references, copying or embedding.
Reference the current page of this Book.
Lester, Paul. The Great Galveston Disaster, Containing a Full and Thrilling Account of the Most Appalling Calamity of Modern Times, book, 1900~; (https://texashistory.unt.edu/ark:/67531/metapth26719/m1/34/: accessed March 19, 2024), University of North Texas Libraries, The Portal to Texas History, https://texashistory.unt.edu; .