In October of 1780, an extremely powerful hurricane swept through the West Indies. The damaging winds and devastating storm surge obliterated the fleet of British Royal Navy warships anchored at St. Lucia, commanded by Admiral George Brydges Rodney, Vice Admiral Peter Parker, and Rear-Admiral Joshua Rowley. One of the ships was left on top of an inland hospital by the storm.
In total, the hurricane wiped out the formidable fleet, and left a wake of devastation in its path. In total, 22,000 people were left dead, and also destroyed the Phoenix, Andromeda, Thunderer, Deal Castle, Laurel, Scarborough, Barbadoes, Beaver Prize, Endeavour, and Victor. The HMS Blanche disappeared and was never found. Many other ships of the fleet were damaged or dismasted and almost all crew were killed.
Additionally, the French frigate Junon was lost off Martinique, and a Dutch ship was blown from St. Eustatius to Martinique. An officer on board said later, “A short while ago it pleased the Lord Almighty to show us his power. Here we had from 12 to 22 October of this year a very fierce wind & a heavy sea that ruined a lot of houses and warehouses, yes even many ships were wrecked and many people were killed. The wall has been completely washed away by the sea and the back of the house has been left only on single struts, yes it was so heavy that the sea flew over our house but we may thank the Lord for his mercy that we have come off so well.” Nineteen Dutch ships were destroyed at Grenada, with heavy casualties.
The attorney general of Guadeloupe wrote, “The gale of wind which happened on the 12th Oct was the most severe perhaps ever known. Barbadoes suffered amazingly, 6500 souls perished. Tobago laid waste, Grenades, St. Vincent, St. Lucia, Martinique, suffered more than any person can conceive. St. Kitts and Eustatia, did not escape without damage: this island did but just feel it.”
Modern estimates predict the hurricane was a Category 5 with winds at or near 200 miles per hour. The destruction of the British fleet occurred during the midst of the American Revolution, and greatly diminished British control of the Caribbean and Atlantic. Two other hurricanes also swept through the area during the month of October in 1780. The hurricane is also know as Huracán San Calixto, the Great Hurricane of the Antilles, and the Great Hurricane of the West Indies. The hurricane turned north, and was last observed in the north Atlantic Ocean off the coast of Newfoundland.
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