Louisiana, Alabama, Mississippi Hurricane, Aug 1860 - The Great Gale

The Daily Picayune
Monday, August 13, 1860. This article also appeared in the Tuesday morning issue, August 14, 1860

The Great Gale of Saturday
Saturday last was the anniversary of the Last Island disaster, four years ago, and from the accounts that are pouring in upon us from all quarters, from river, lake, Gulf and coast, we judge that the effects resulting from the gale of last Saturday night will prove, in the aggregate, nearly, if not quite, as disastrous.
During the whole of the 11th, there was a good deal of wind and rain in the city. Portions of the ruins of the buildings lately destroyed by fires, in Royal and Tchoupitoulas streets, were blown down, but no damage done.

The Lake
There was a lively time, during the entire day, at the Lake end of the Pontchartrain and Jefferson Railroads. At the former, the railroad wharf was a good deal broken up, the heavy timbers being washed up over the track, by the surging waves. A portion of the bath houses was swept away, as well as the bridges generally. We have heard the damage to the wharf estimated at over $3,000.

Milneburg (at the lake end of the Pontchartrain railroad) was perfectly flooded, and the occupants only escaped by being carried off in boats. The pretty gardens, attached to Boudro’s and to the Washington Hotel, were sadly cut up and laid waste; and some of the fine trees in front of the Washington were blown down. The shell road, constructing from Milneburg to the bayou St. John, was washed away and destroyed.

Of course, on the Lake itself, the angry wind and waves made no little devastation. The yacht Ripple sank off the Bayou St. John, and there was much swamping of small craft all along the shore. It being Saturday, the day when a good many of our citizens go to join their families, rusticating over the Lake, or to have a day’s pleasure, there was a large attendance at the end of the railroad, at the hours for the departure of the steamers. The California got off at about her usual time and we suppose, shared the experiences of the Oregon, which left Mobile Sunday, for this city.

From Capt Baker, of the Oregon, which arrived safely at 4 o’clock this morning, we learn that the gale, on the morning of the 12th (Sunday), was quite severe at Mobile, but did little harm there except blowing down some trees and submerging some of the docks. Capt. Baker met the California, in Mobile Bay, on Sunday, at 2 P. M. At 3:40 P. M. the Oregon took off the crew of the sloop Eile, of Mobile, water logged and a mast carried away. She lost her mast and filled on Saturday evening at 8 o’clock. Roughed it on the cabin top until taken off. All on board lost everything except what they had on, and were without provisions. Capt. Baker landed them at Pascagoula, at their request. Met the U. S. mail steamer Florida at 11:40 P. M. last night, west of St. Joseph’s. On referring to our advertising column, it will be seen that the Florida behaved admirably on her hazardous trip.

At Pascagoula, as will be seen by Mr. Gumbel’s card, in another column, there were wild doings.

Capt. Baker, of the Oregon, reports the schooner Venice all right, west of Grant’s Pass.

So much for the mail boats. Now for the pleasure excursion steamers. The Alabama, bound for the watering places, which was to start at 5 P.M. on Saturday, was full of folks, but the captain very wisely concluded to remain by the side of the wharf. A majority of the disappointed returned to town, and the rest stuck to the steamer, and took their chances. About 9 A.M. yesterday, the Alabama got off, and went on her way. The Arrow essayed to leave, during the gale, for Mandeville, on Saturday afternoon, but was obliged to come to anchor, and ride the waves all night. Next morning, she made another effort, but prudently relinquished it. Fire Company No. 24, bound on an excursion to Mandeville, were obliged to come on shore, and eat their dinner at Milneburg.

As a matter or course, there were all sorts of petty disasters on the Lake shores. At Dan Hickok’s there was quite an incursion of the water. Fishermen’s huts were overflowed here and there, and pistol galleries, bath houses, bridges and piers were wildly dealt with.

Continued