Louisiana & Alabama Hurricane, Sept - Oct 1860 - Gale at Mobile

The Gale at Mobile – It is very gratifying to learn, as we do from the mobile papers of Wednesday morning, that our sister city, twice before visited this season by disastrous gales has this time been in great measure spared. The Tribune says:
We have experienced some very bad weather during the last twenty-four hours. On Monday afternoon clouds began to congregate, and from their appearance almost every one expected a heavy shower. The clouds, however passed off and we had only a slight sprinkle, and a few drops during the night. Early yesterday morning it came down freely and continued steadily all day until about 6 o’clock P.M., when it ceased. The wind for the most of the time was blowing out from the east to the southeast.

At about 4 o’clock P. M. the wind began to increase and blew quite fresh all the evening. The water began to rise at about 1 o’clock, and we are informed by a gentleman who measured the water that it had risen over two feet up to about 6 o’clock – faster the last hour than previously. The merchants near the river, fearing that there would be danger took the necessary precaution to preserve their good by hoisting them up out of danger. The proper fastenings were made to all the steamboats and vessels lying in port that was requisite for their safety.

At about dark Capt. Wm. Haywood came up from the lower fleet on the steamer Swan. We learn from him that the wind was blowing down there from the east northeast and is very violent that there were no pilots out, and the steamer Swan was unable to discharge her cargo, which she had on board for a ship lying in the bay. The wind blew so heavily she was unable to stay alongside, and so returned to the city. It is now about 7 o’clock; the rain had again set in and is coming down gently. The whole city is saturated with mud and water. The wind is on the increase, and the water is rising at the rate of six inches an hour.

It is now 8 o’clock. The rain is falling in torrents and the night very dark and gloomy. It is generally believed that there will be no damage done by this blow. If there be, we will give the particulars in our next issue.