On This Day

Storm "Freshwater Fury" sinks 8 ore-carriers on Great Lakes

The Great Lakes Storm of 1913, historically referred to as the Big Blow, the Freshwater Fury and the White Hurricane, was a blizzard with hurricane-force winds that devastated the Great Lakes Basin...

The Great Lakes Storm of 1913, historically referred to as the Big Blow, the Freshwater Fury and the White Hurricane, was a blizzard with hurricane-force winds that devastated the Great Lakes Basin in the Midwestern United States and Southwestern Ontario, Canada, between November 7 and 10, 1913. The storm was at its most powerful on November 9, battering and overturning ships on four of the five Great Lakes, particularly Lake Huron.

The storm was the deadliest and most destructive natural disaster to hit the Great Lakes in recorded history. More than 250 people were killed. Shipping was hard hit; nineteen ships were destroyed, and nineteen others were stranded. About US$1 million of cargo weighing about 68,300 tons—including coal, iron ore and grain were lost.

Historical Significance

The Great Lakes Storm of 1913, historically referred to as the Big Blow, the Freshwater Fury and the White Hurricane, was a blizzard with hurricane-force winds that devastated the Great Lakes Basin in the Midwestern United States and Southwestern Ontario, Canada, between November 7 and 10, 1913.

Events Before

  1. First running of San Francisco's famed "Bay to Breakers" footrace (7.63 miles/12.3 km); Robert Vlught wins in 44:10

    First running of San Francisco's famed "Bay to Breakers" footrace (7.63 miles/12.3 km); Robert Vlught wins in 44:10

  2. Kim Philby is born

    Kim Philby, British intelligence officer and soviet double agent, known for british intelligence officer and soviet double agent, was born on 1912-01-01.

  3. Geophysicist and meteorologist Alfred Wegener presents his controversial theory of continental drift in a lecture to the

    Geophysicist and meteorologist Alfred Wegener presents his controversial theory of continental drift in a lecture to the Geological Association at the Senckenberg Museum in Frankfurt

  4. Chiefs, representatives of people's and church organizations, and other prominent individuals form the African National

    Chiefs, representatives of people's and church organizations, and other prominent individuals form the African National Congress and declare its aim to bring all Africans together as one people to defend their rights and freedoms

  5. Captain Robert Scott's expedition arrives at the South Pole, one month after Roald Amundsen

    The Amundsen–Scott South Pole Station is a United States scientific research station at the South Pole of the Earth.

Events After

  1. Kornelis "Klaas" ter Laan becomes the Netherlands' first socialist mayor in Zaandam

    Kornelis "Klaas" ter Laan becomes the Netherlands' first socialist mayor in Zaandam

  2. Danish "Out of Africa" author Karen Blixen (28), pen name Isak Dinesen marries her 2nd cousin Baron Hans von Blixen-Fine

    Danish "Out of Africa" author Karen Blixen (28), pen name Isak Dinesen marries her 2nd cousin Baron Hans von Blixen-Finecke

  3. "The Squaw Man," the first feature-length film shot in Hollywood, directed by Cecil B. DeMille and Oscar Apfel, is relea

    "The Squaw Man," the first feature-length film shot in Hollywood, directed by Cecil B. DeMille and Oscar Apfel, is released in the US

  4. First successful non-direct blood transfusion is performed by Dr. Albert Hustin in Brussels

    First successful non-direct blood transfusion is performed by Dr. Albert Hustin in Brussels

  5. Film serial "The Perils of Pauline" is shown for the first time in Los Angeles, California

    Film serial "The Perils of Pauline" is shown for the first time in Los Angeles, California

More from the 1910s

Frequently Asked Questions

What happened on November 9, 1913?
The Great Lakes Storm of 1913, historically referred to as the Big Blow, the Freshwater Fury and the White Hurricane, was a blizzard with hurricane-force winds that devastated the Great Lakes Basin in the Midwestern United States and Southwestern Ontario, Canada, between November 7 and 10, 1913. The storm was at its most powerful on November 9, battering and overturning ships on four of the five Great Lakes, particularly Lake Huron. The storm was the deadliest and most destructive natural disaster to hit the Great Lakes in recorded history.
Why is Storm "Freshwater Fury" sinks 8 ore-carriers on Great Lakes significant?
The Great Lakes Storm of 1913, historically referred to as the Big Blow, the Freshwater Fury and the White Hurricane, was a blizzard with hurricane-force winds that devastated the Great Lakes Basin in the Midwestern United States and Southwestern Ontario, Canada, between November 7 and 10, 1913.

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