Westport news in the 1860s

The following articles were found in copies of the New Bedford Evening Standard. Topics include the Civil War, fishing at Westport Point, fox hunting, summer activities at Westport Point and much much more. Enjoy the oddities! The Lobster trade July 7 1863 Thomas Mayhew letter on the British and Confederate “pirates” December 30 1863 A […]

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Horseneck Beach Hurricane of 1938

In 1938 all but the western most part of Horseneck was lined with houses, mostly small cottages but including some substantial mansions. West Beach, facing the Atlantic, was backed by sand dunes and woodland where persons fleeing the beachfront could try to find refuge. East Beach, facing the Bay, was a narrow strip of sand […]

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The Great Gale of September 23, 1815

This storm was the first major hurricane to impact New England in 180 years. It initiated in the West Indies, growing to a Category 3 with winds of 135 mph. After crossing Long Island, New York, the storm came ashore at Saybrook, Connecticut, funneling an 11-foot storm surge up Narragansett Bay. There, it destroyed 500 […]

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Storm tide

Many eye witness accounts describe the 1938 storm tide as if it were a tidal wave. The deadly effects of storm surge and storm tide are key to understanding why 1938 hurricane wreaked so much damage. Storm surge is simply water that is pushed toward the shore by the force of the winds swirling around […]

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Westport Harbor September 21st 1938

The close knit community of Westport Harbor had enjoyed another typical summer of sailing, golfing, tennis and dancing and despite it being late September many Harborites were still in residence. The day had began clear and sunny, but some noticed how strong the sea was running. By 3PM, residents were facing gale force winds, and […]

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The Gale of September 8, 1869

A Category 3, this ‘September Gale’ was first observed in the Bahamas. It ultimately made landfall in Rhode Island just west of Buzzards Bay, dissipating in Northern Maine. This storm was very compact, but intense. It was reported to have been only 60 miles wide, but it caused extensive damage in Rhode Island, southern Massachusetts […]

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