Major Gales and Hurricanes around Market Square

Major Gales and Hurricanes around Market Square. Sources: "The Civic and Architectural Development of Providence" by John Hutchins Cady. , During the early history of Providence, hurricanes were known as gales. The first recorded gale occurred on the night of October 24, 1761. A hard gale brought the highest tide into the harbor of Providence that had been known in the memory of man and carried away Weybosset Bridge., The Great Gale of 1815 was accompanied by a tide which rose to a height of 11 feet 9½ inches above mean high water. Weybosset and India bridges were carried away; most of the buildings standing on the wharves were destroyed; the third story of the Washington Insurance Building was damaged by the bowsprit of the ship "Ganges"; the Second Baptist Meeting House was demolished; and many houses and barns were blown down. Nearly every vessel in the harbor was driven from its mooring. One sloop was blown across Weybosset Street and came to rest on Eddy Street., The Great September Gale of 1869 was reported in the press as being a "great gale and flood, beaten in history only by Noah's celebrated deluge and the great gale of 1815!", On September 21, 1938, a hurricane and tidal wave swept over the state, taking a death toll of 262 person, causing damage estimated at $100,000,000 and completely prostrating Rhode Island in the worst disaster in its history. In downtown Providence the tidal wave flooded the area to a depth of more than 13.9 feet above the mean high water. Persons were drowned trying to escape and automobiles were submerged in the street. Department stores, banks, hotels, restaurants, and ships were flooded to the first floor ceilings., On August 31, 1954, preceded by only a few minutes warning, Hurricane Carol swept across the state leaving 19 dead and scores of injured. Property damage was estimated at $90,000,000. As in 1938, the hurricane peaked at high tide and was accompanied by tidal waves. Downtown Providence was flooded when the water reached 13 feet above mean high water level, just 11 inches below the 1938 record. Millions of dollars in merchandise was lost. Almost 3,500 automobiles were inundated. The city was crippled for a week during the pumping out process and while utilities were being restored., The construction of the Hurricane River in 1966 has been protected downtown Providence from coastal flooding.