| Category 4 hurricane (SSHS) | |
|---|---|
| Formed | September 23, 1848 |
| Dissipated | September 28, 1848 |
| Highest winds | 1-minute sustained: 135 mph (215 km/h) |
| Lowest pressure | 948 mbar (hPa; 27.99 inHg) |
| Fatalities | 0 |
| Damage | $20,000 (1848 USD) |
| Areas affected | Florida |
| Part of the 1848 Atlantic hurricane season | |
|
The Great Gale of 1848, also known as the Tampa Bay hurricane of 1848 and originally as the Great Gale of '48, was a tropical cyclone that struck Florida in September 1848. It affected the Tampa Bay Area September 23–25, 1848. It crossed the Florida Peninsula to cause damage on the east coast on or about September 26. It reshaped parts of the coast and destroyed much of what few human works and habitation were then in the Tampa Bay Area. Although its recorded wind speed was that of a Category 1 storm on the Saffir-Simpson Hurricane Scale, its barometric pressure and storm surge were consistent with at least a Category 4 hurricane.[1][2][3] It was described by one survivor as, “the granddaddy of all hurricanes.” (Grismer, 35)
The storm appears to have formed in the central Gulf of Mexico, before moving northeast to make land fall near Clearwater, Florida. It then crossed the Florida peninsula and exited near Cape Canaveral.[3] After moving into the extreme western Atlantic, the cyclone continued to the northeast just offshore the East coast of the United States to the Grand Banks of Newfoundland.[4]
A brig was dismasted north of Cedar Key, within 80 miles of St. Marks. (Ludlum) Various bay and keys were changed significantly, as detailed below. This hurricane rendered existing maps of the Tampa Bay area useless to mariners.
The wind speed was measured at 72 mph at its highest and the barometer read 28.18 inches at its lowest (at Fort Brooke). The storm produced the highest tide ever experienced in Tampa Bay. The water rose and fell about 15 feet in 6 to 8 hours. Pinellas County was inundated “at the waist” and “the bays met.” General R. D. A. Wade, commanding at Fort Brooke reported the destruction of the wharves, public buildings, and storehouses. B. P. Curry, the fort’s assistant surgeon, reported the hospital destroyed. Only five houses were left standing in Tampa, and they were all damaged. The water rose twelve feet higher than had been noted in the past. (Pizo 19)
At Englewood, Florida, Stump Pass was cut. Casey’s Pass was opened at Venice, Florida. New Pass was opened between Sarasota Bay and the Gulf, splitting Palm Island into Longboat and Lido Keys.[5] Allen’s Creek was widened from less than 200 feet to about half a mile at its mouth. The fish rancho of Antonio Maximo Hernandez , reputedly lower Pinellas’ first white settler, was destroyed. Passage Key, between Egmont Key and Anna Maria was obliterated but reformed later. The storm created what would become known as “Soldier’s Hole” at Mullet Key, so called because soldiers at Fort De Soto used it as a swimming hole. John’s Pass was opened but has since shifted north. After the storm destroyed the lighthouse on Egmont Key,[6] the keeper (Marvel Edwards) rode out the storm in a rowboat tied to a palmetto tree. The end of the rope was later found 9 feet off the ground, which had an elevation of about 6 feet. The Tocobaga mound on Odette Phillippe’s property in what is now Safety Harbor, Florida was damaged. All the trees along what is now Indian Rocks Road in Largo, Florida were knocked down. (Largo, 148) The cost of replacing the Egmont Key lighthouse and a strong box lost from W. G. Ferris totaled US$19,500 (1848 dollars). (Barnes)
Damage on the east coast may have been less severe., though it was described in the Savannah Republican as, “blowing ‘great guns’ - the hardest blow felt [on the St. Johns River] for several years." It blew down houses in Jacksonville, Florida and caused flooding in St. Augustine, Florida, as well as interfering with shipping on the river.[7]