Since the Atlantic Hurricane Database era began in 1851, there have been three major hurricanes to make direct landfall in New England. The first of these major storms came in 1869. Out of New England’s worst storms, this one may be the least remembered by history.
A hurricane was reported off the coast of Florida, near the Bahamas, on September 7th. The hurricane moved north-northeast, staying well off the east coast. The hurricane strengthened further and made landfall in Rhode Island late on September 8th as a category three storm with winds of 115 mph. This hurricane was very small in size, with the strongest winds concentrated near the center and to the east of the storm.
Connecticut cities reported heavy rain but no major wind damage. New London, on the eastern Connecticut coast, reported damage, but it was not nearly as severe as what Rhode Island experienced. According to the New Haven Journal and Courier:
“Leaving New Haven Thursday morning, the first thing observed while passing on the Shore Line railroad to New London was the corn fields showed signs of a violent storm, and the farther I went east, the stronger the wind had seemingly. At New London, considerable damage had been done, but not until I neared Providence, R. I., did I comprehend the gale had been so powerful…”