Racer's hurricane was a destructive tropical cyclone that had severe effects in northeastern Mexico, the Republic of Texas, and the Gulf Coast of the United States in early October 1837. It was named after the Royal Navy ship HMS Racer, which encountered the cyclone in the northwestern Caribbean. Termed "one of the most famous and destructive hurricanes of the century" by meteorology historian David Ludlum, the storm first affected Jamaica with flooding rainfall and strong winds on September 26 and 27, before entering the Gulf of Mexico by October 1. As the hurricane struck northern Tamaulipas and southern Texas, it slowed to a crawl and turned sharply northeastward. The storm battered the Gulf Coast from Texas to the Florida Panhandle between October 3 and 7.
Racer's Hurricane in the Gulf of Mexico
Racer's hurricane was a destructive tropical cyclone that had severe effects in northeastern Mexico, the Republic of Texas, and the Gulf Coast of the United States in early October 1837.
Historical Significance
Racer's hurricane was a destructive tropical cyclone that had severe effects in northeastern Mexico, the Republic of Texas, and the Gulf Coast of the United States in early October 1837.
Events Before
Author Harriet Beecher (24) weds educator Calvin Ellis Stowe (33) in Cincinnati, Ohio
Author Harriet Beecher (24) weds educator Calvin Ellis Stowe (33) in Cincinnati, Ohio
The Alamo is besieged for 13 days until March 6 by the Mexican army under General Santa Anna; the entire garrison is eve
The Alamo is besieged for 13 days until March 6 by the Mexican army under General Santa Anna; the entire garrison is eventually killed
Battle of the Alamo: After 13 days of fighting, 1,500 to 3,000 Mexican soldiers overwhelm the Texan defenders, killing 1
Battle of the Alamo: After 13 days of fighting, 1,500 to 3,000 Mexican soldiers overwhelm the Texan defenders, killing 182 to 257 Texans, including William Travis, Jim Bowie, and Davy Crockett
English novelist and social critic Charles Dickens (24) marries Catherine Thomson Hogarth (20)
Charles John Huffam Dickens (7 February 1812 – 9 June 1870) was an English novelist, journalist, short story writer and social critic.
Maria II of Portugal marries Prince Ferdinand of Saxe-Coburg and Gotha, later known as King Dom Fernando II upon the bir
Maria II of Portugal marries Prince Ferdinand of Saxe-Coburg and Gotha, later known as King Dom Fernando II upon the birth of their son, Pedro V of Portugal
Events After
First official horse race in South Australia takes place in Adelaide
Adelaide is the capital and most populous city of South Australia, as well as the fifth-most populous city in Australia.
Samuel Morse and Alfred Vail demonstrate their telegraph machine in New Jersey
Samuel Finley Breese Morse (April 27, 1791 – April 2, 1872) was an American inventor and painter.
First public demonstration of telegraph messages sent using dots and dashes at Speedwell Ironworks in Morristown, New Je
First public demonstration of telegraph messages sent using dots and dashes at Speedwell Ironworks in Morristown, New Jersey, by Samuel Morse and Alfred Vail
Coronation of Queen Victoria, aged 19, during a five-hour ceremony at Westminster Abbey, London [1]
The coronation of Victoria as queen of the United Kingdom took place on Thursday, 28 June 1838, just over a year after she succeeded to the throne of the United Kingdom at the age of 18.
Huskar Pit Disaster: 26 children drown while trying to escape flooding in the Silkstone Colliery in England. Leads to th
Huskar Pit Disaster: 26 children drown while trying to escape flooding in the Silkstone Colliery in England. Leads to the 1842 Mines Act, which bans women and children from working underground. [1]
More from the 1830s
Slave plantation owner Charles Farquharson begins his diary at Prospect Hill Plantation, Watlings Island (San Salvador),
Slave plantation owner Charles Farquharson begins his diary at Prospect Hill Plantation, Watlings Island (San Salvador), the only plantation diary to survive from the Bahamas (ends Dec 1832) [1]
Curaçao census: 2,602 white people, 6,531 free people, 5,894 enslaved people
Curaçao census: 2,602 white people, 6,531 free people, 5,894 enslaved people
German Zollverein (Customs Union) comes into effect
The Zollverein, or German Customs Union, was a coalition of German states formed to manage tariffs and economic policies within their territories.
First official horse race in South Australia takes place in Adelaide
Adelaide is the capital and most populous city of South Australia, as well as the fifth-most populous city in Australia.
Frequently Asked Questions
- What happened on October 1, 1837?
- Racer's hurricane was a destructive tropical cyclone that had severe effects in northeastern Mexico, the Republic of Texas, and the Gulf Coast of the United States in early October 1837. It was named after the Royal Navy ship HMS Racer, which encountered the cyclone in the northwestern Caribbean. Termed "one of the most famous and destructive hurricanes of the century" by meteorology historian David Ludlum, the storm first affected Jamaica with flooding rainfall and strong winds on September 26 and 27, before entering the Gulf of Mexico by October 1.
- Why is Racer's Hurricane in the Gulf of Mexico significant?
- Racer's hurricane was a destructive tropical cyclone that had severe effects in northeastern Mexico, the Republic of Texas, and the Gulf Coast of the United States in early October 1837.