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Friday, September 05, 2008

The Hurricane of (18)'15-

It's hurricane season, and we apparently even have one headed this [New England] way for the weekend. It reminded me of an interesting passage in the 1859 book "Two Hundred Years Ago; or, A Brief History of Cambridgeport and East Cambridge" by Sophia Simpson. The "Great Gale" she describes so vividly was in fact the Hurricane of September 23rd, 1815, which meteorologists today estimate was a category 3 storm. Sophia starts out-

"On the 23rd of September, a violent gale of wind destroyed a large amount of property. At sunrise the clouds seemed to be gathering, and there was every indication of an approaching storm-














We've got a picture of the book here.

Have a great weekend, everyone!

22 comments:

Anonymous said...

Colonel,

I've always had a weak spot for period stories so thank you for uploading so many pages from "Two Hundred Years Earlier". Are the events historical?

Also, I was wondering if you could tell me the name of the author, who wrote a book by the name of 'Cotton Moon'.

The setting is: America during the Civil War years. It's a story about an American family from the South, the patriarch of which is an anti-abolitionist. The experiences of the family, in particular those of the new generation, some of whom die tragically under various circumstances; makes up the plot.

Redroach said...

I used a really good book that had survivors accounts of the Galveston Hurricane of 1900 when I taught Texas History.

Talk about intense

TV

Forrest Proper said...

Indrani: The hurricane was certainly an historical event, and the book is not a novel, so I suspect it happened to the author's family much as she tells it. "Cotton Moon" was written by Catherine Tracy. The paperback edition had quite a cover!

TV: Oh yeah, Galveston 1900 was quite the disaster, the sort of thing we all assume can't happen today.

Phoebe Fay said...

Very cool. I was going to just skim it, and then I got caught up in it, and before I knew it, I'd read it all. Dramatic stuff!

Forrest Proper said...

Phoebe- it does draw you in, doesn't it? I bought that book originally because we lived in that neighborhood. i'm betting the "fort" they took shelter in is the still-existing "fort" (a rectangular set of ridges) that George Washington first built. it's near the waterfront canal, which she also mentions. I do love this sort of historical reminiscence.

Commander Zaius said...

Hey Colonel, sending Hanna up your way. Hope she is as big a bust for you as she was us. We just had some beach erosion and one guy, I've heard of, that became a nominee for the Darwin award by going swimming in a monster rip tide.

Malach the Merciless said...

Down here the olds one still tremble in fear of Hurricane Diane prior to them building the Hurrican Barrier in the 60's

Anonymous said...

Colonel,

It was only last evening that I was telling a friend over a discussion on our favourite books, that I couldn't remember the name of 'Cotton Moon's' author. Thank YOUUU for informing me! I've saved the pic!

Some other books which have remained in my momeory through the years:

Good Earth by Pearl S.Buck

For Whom the Bells Toll by Ernest Hemingway

Post-Capitalist Society by Peter F. Drucker

The Seven Pillars of Wisdom by Thomas Edward Lawrence (it led me to read a revealing biography of his by the name of 'Backing From the Limelight' and now I'm all eager to read his: 'The Mint' as well).

Decline and Fall of the Roman Empire by Edward Gibbon (a massive tome I must say, but thoroughly enjoyable nevertheless!)

Mysticism and Logic by Bertrand Russell

Atlas Shrugged by Ayn Rand (I differ with her philosophy though).

In high school, I'd read a lot of novels based in 19th century America.

Malicious Intent said...

Hurricaine is here now, or I should say tropical storm. Just a bunch of rain, noting major. Shouldn't be a big deal for you, unless you are short like Moooog or hold your nose so far up in the air like Murk that you would drown.

Malicious Intent said...

P.S.I plugged you today too. I just keep adding to todays post as I make my rounds.

Cissy Strutt said...

"To our great astonishment, Parker resigned himself from our service not long after, and never were we able to figure why he did so."

FreeOscar said...

This is the problem with my generation & the younger ones.
I got distracted by "TWO HUNDRED YEARS AGO".

here today, gone tomorrow said...

The hurricane, now a tropical storm, passed through the DC area this afternoon. Tons of rain was all.

Forrest Proper said...

Beach: Went through here last night- lots of rain, very little wind. And yeah, around here (well on the coast) there are always a few geniuses who see "Tropical Storm Warning" and think, "Whoa! Surf's up, Dude!"

Malach: Barriers come and barriers go, I guess...

Indrani: Great list! You've given me an idea for a new post!

MI: Thanks for the plug! I've been tardy about getting around to all the blogs on my list as well.

Cissy: "...and was last heard muttering 'fuck this shit!' "

C.Rag: Are you aware they all went 'commando' back then?

HTGT: Same here. The garden needed it. Well, maybe not quite all of it...

FreeOscar said...

What really? I may need to get beyond the "Two Hundred Years"

Sara Sue said...

I spent the day yesterday at our local historical library. (That's my excuse for being late to the post.) Odd how we're both in historical mode. Anyway, now that you've hooked me, when will you post the rest ... leave me hangin'??

The Preacherman said...

nearest we get to hurricanes over here is if I eat a very hot vindaloo.... ;-)

Mike said...

I could have sworn that I commented on this post yesterday, yet I see no evidence of it anywhere. Perhaps I am losing whatever grasp I had left on reality. That could be a good thing since reality has been rather surreal lately.

I like shiny things.

Yes, thank you. I'll have a glass of lemonade.

Forrest Proper said...

C.Rag: Not all of them, but there is a distinct lack of, um, "undies" in the historical record...

Sara Sue: Well, the rest is local street history. I'll send you more if'n you want.

Manic: I know the sort of "gales" you mean... um, was that the cat barking???

Mike: Reality is a wonderful thing, but over-rated. I saw no emails of your earlier comment, but perhaps in the alternate dimension I like to inhabit, Friday thru Monday, where Tea Leoni is Presidork, and I am her beach boy...

Simply Curious said...

I love the bottom of your page!!!! Goes to show what I life I have... I've been playing with your pussy for like 5 minutes.

Forrest Proper said...

SC... Oh myyyyyy.... if you think I'm gong to touch that one with a ten foot pole...

Anonymous said...

I didn't want to admit it earlier thinking it would appear immature, but I've been playing with Maukie as well. I can't resist it.