Louisiana, Alabama, Mississippi Hurricane, Aug 1860 - Letter from Balize

The Daily Picayune
August 16, 1860 Morning edition

Letter from the Balize – The Storm
[Correspondence of the Picayune.] Balize, Aug. 12, 1860
Eds. Pic. – I give you, as interesting to your readers, a brief description of the effects of the storm at this place.

For some time past the weather had been extremely warm, the atmosphere sultry and smoky, and the luminaries of the day and night covered with a lurid mist – certain indication of a coming storm – when, on the evening of the 9th, the very time at which four years ago Last Island was destroyed, a dark, heavy cloud commenced rising in the north-northeast, illuminated by fierce and constant flashes of lightning; but, strange to say, it passed, accompanied by neither thunder, wind nor rain. During the night the sky was covered with dark clouds, and although a few stars appeared now and then, the more experienced and knowing ones of our people predicted “a bad time coming;” and it was too true. On the morning of the 10th, the light breeze which had been prevailing grew stronger, shifting during the day gradually to the east; the sun was hid by the thickly gathering clouds, and the aspect was such that even the spirit of the more strong hearted grew fainter as the storm grew fiercer. A cheering sight to the inhabitants of this place was the arrival of the pilot boar Robert Bruce, Capt. J. Preble, which anchored at dark in our bayou and landed half a dozen pilots, who, well knowing the indication of a storm, came to protect their families and the lend helping hand wherever it was needed. As it is, perhaps, unknown to many of your readers, allow me to remark that the life of our pilots (and more especially those who live at this place) is indeed a hard one, as their place of business is at present at Pass-a-looter (there being the deepest water), twelve miles from the Balize; they are therefore compelled to leave their families by themselves, with no means of protection against wind and water, save their dwelling houses. Many are anxious to remove their families, but the building of a new house is equal to a capital of some $4,000, a sum which not many can dispose of at any moment.

The wind had now grown into a violent storm, which was driving the waters of the sea towards us; and to add to the scene of horror, rain came pouring down upon us, which being driven by the violence of the wind underneath the shingles were and soaked every article in the houses, leaving not a dry spot to lay our heads. It was a terrible night. The morning of the 11th found us, without exception, in the most pitiful condition imaginable, for in many houses the sea water had risen to a considerable height-besides, there was not the least prospect of a change in the weather. Families were gathering to console each other, should destiny bring on a sure destruction to all. It would have been folly to attempt to get on board the pilot boar, although it was but thirty yards from shore; no human power was able to fight against the raging elements. With no sources of relief therefore, we were left to the mercy of the waves, and all were patiently awaiting the will of heaven.

But danger of being swept away was approaching the wind shifted, first to southeast and then to south, when the waters receded to the very direction they came from. Towards noon the weather cleared up, and our poor depressed hearts were relieved.

The devastation done to the property, however, is considerable. Quite a number of out-houses, chimneys and fences are blown down, not to speak of the many shade trees that were rooted up; wharves are destroyed, and two schooners and several smaller craft were blown on the land. One of the dwelling houses stands half unroofed; another is twisted, and still another is level with the ground. The damage done can at present hardly be estimated; but we should judge it to be from $3000 to $10,000. Fortunately, no lives were lost.

To show the fierceness of the storm, let me add that all our drinking water is made brackish by the wind beaten surge that fell upon the houses.

The storm has been equally destructive at the Pass-a-l’Outre. One of the pilot boats which was moored to the wharf, tore the same to pieces, and went drifting down the river some distance, when she sunk, probably a total loss. The damage done to the houses is also considerable.

The Southwest Pass we have no tidings as yet.