1500s
In 1526 a small Spanish expedition, led by explorer Lucas Vazquez de Ayllon, was sent from Cuba on a voyage of exploration along the eastern coast of the United states and was unsuccessful in its attempt to plant a colony on the Cape Fear River. One of its ships, believed to be a Spanish brigantine, wrecked at the treacherous mouth of the river, forcing the expedition to build a replacement. It's said that the survivors made a smaller vessel from the wreckage and managed to reach Santo Domingo with great hardship.
2 Vessels / 14 June 1566
Two vessels in the Spanish fleet of Angel de Villafane sank off Cape Hatteras, which is believed to have been caused by a hurricane.
1600s
Unidentified English Fly Boat / October 1665 / Cape Fear
In October 1665 Sir John Yeamans, a knight and governor of the region, sailed from Barbados for the Cape Fear with three ships planning to explore southward from there to Port Royal, where he hoped to found a colony. As Yeamans's fleet attempted to enter the Cape Fear River, his largest vessel ran aground and sank. Though most of the passengers were saved, his supplies were lost, including the cannon with which he intended to fortify the Port Royal settlement. Shortly after this Yeamans sent another of his vessels to Virginia to obtain food, clothing, and other supplies for the Clarendon settlers, only to have it wreck on the return voyage.
Unidentified English Sloop / 1666
Wrecked at Cape Fear. No lives lost.
Many other ships sank at Cape Fear in 1665 and at Cape Lookout in the following year. In all probability, no one will ever be able to estimate even closely the number of ships that may have grounded or sunk off North Carolina in the 17th century.
1700s
Several Unidentified Vessels / 13 August 1728
A severe storm was reported to have done much damage at Charleston, South Carolina. Many ships were lost, one as far north as few miles off Ocracoke. An entire crew killed from one of the vessels.
Unidentified English Ship / 1728
Wrecked 6 mi. seaward from Ocracoke Inlet, only a few survivors.
June 23-30, 1733
The South-Carolina Gazette,
We hear,
there is a large Ship Cast away at Cape Hatteras.
11 Unidentified Vessels / 18-19 October 1749
During the early morning hours of October 18, North Carolina’s first recorded October hurricane, christened the October Hurricane of 1749, strafed Cape Hatteras with “very violent” winds, a 15 foot storm tide and torrential rains. Contemporary accounts state that 11 ships at anchor near Ocracoke Bar were either sunk or stranded, a majority of them becoming total losses. In one of them, an entire crew was killed.
Unidentified Brigantine / 1752
English brigantine, Captain Murray, sailing for London, wrecked near Cape Fear.
[The following two reports are transcribed exactly as published in the Pennsylvania Gazette (Philadelphia, Pennsylvania). The long s (ſ) was in common usage in the mid-eighteenth century.]
Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
Tuesday, January 16, 1753
NEW YORK, January 23
The Pennsylvania Gazette
Thursday, April 5-6, 1753
NEW YORK, January 23
Capt. Freeman from Edenton, North Carolina, as he came out the 23d of December last, heard at Ocracock Bar, That two Sloops were cast away between that Place and Cape Hatteras; that it was supposed they were New-England Men, by some Cyder and Earthen Ware being found on board; but that the People had got ashore, and were gone up to the North County; Capt. Freeman saw one of the Sloops, and says, they run ashore but a few Days before.
Unidentified Brig / January 1756
 |
| Maryland Gazette, Annapolis, Maryland, January 22, 1756 |
Unidentified American Schooner / 1757
Captain Hayman, sailing to the Leeward Islands.
Unidentified Vessel / February 5, 1765
Boston Evening Post
February 25, 1765
"A (February 25) letter from North Carolina of the 5th [instant], mentions, that a [vessel] from [Boston], in Ballast, was cast away at Cape Hatteras."
Boston Evening Post
February 25, 1765
"A (February 25) letter from North Carolina of the 5th [instant], mentions, that a [vessel] from [Boston], in Ballast, was cast away at Cape Hatteras."
Unidentified Vessel
Boston Gazette
February 25, 1765
"Another [vessel], belonging to Newbern, bound for London, was also cast away at Cape Lookout, but that her cargo would be saved. Reported in the February 25, 1765 issue."
Unidentified Ship / March 1766
 |
| Pennsylvania Packet, Philadelphia, PA, March 6, 1766 |
Unidentified Ship / March 1766
Unidentified Sloop / 28 December 1766
"A sloop, Anthony Ashmore master, from Philadelphia for Maryland, but blown off; [was] lost about three weeks ago ... on Cape Lookout Shoals, the people and part of the cargoes were saved." (Carolina Gazette, Charleston, SC, January 26, 1767)
Several Unidentified Vessels / Offshore Storm / 21 September 1767
(S.C. Gazette, Oct 19, 1767)
Unidentified Sloop / October 1767 / Cape Lookout Inlet
 |
| Pennsylvania Gazette, April 17, 1766 |
"A sloop, Anthony Ashmore master, from Philadelphia for Maryland, but blown off; [was] lost about three weeks ago ... on Cape Lookout Shoals, the people and part of the cargoes were saved." (Carolina Gazette, Charleston, SC, January 26, 1767)
Several Unidentified Vessels / Offshore Storm / 21 September 1767
(S.C. Gazette, Oct 19, 1767)
Unidentified Sloop / October 1767 / Cape Lookout Inlet
Unidentified Brig / April 1768
"Captain John Marshall, in a brig belonging to this port [Edinburgh], from the Grenades was the middle of April last, cast away about four leagues from Top Sail Inlet on the coast of North Carolina; the crew with the rigging, etc. were saved." (Edinburgh Evening Courant, June 18, 1768)
Unidentified Brig / 7 September 1768
The Great Chesapeake Bay Hurricane made landfall near New Bern, North Carolina and laid that town in ruin as tides rose 12 feet above normal. Its center was close to Williamsburg. Many old houses in eastern North Carolina and southeastern Virginia were destroyed, particularly around Williamsburg, York, Hampton and Norfolk due to 13 hours of high winds from the northeast to northwest. Most notably, it caused widespread damage to the Stratford Hall plantation which belonged to the family of famous confederate General Robert E. Lee. (Early American Hurricanes 1492-1870, David Ludlum, pg 24-25).
Unidentified Ship
11 June 1772
The Virginia Gazette
Virginia Gazette (Purdie & Dixon)
Williamsburg, June 11
"Wednesday se’nnight, in a Gale of Wind and thick Weather, a Schooner from Philadelphia, John Kerr Master, bound for Portsmouth, deeply laden, was drove ashore at the Mouth of Currituck Inlet, and beat to Pieces. The People were saved, but chief of the Cargo will be lost."
Unidentified Schooner / July 1773
Several Unidentified Vessels Wrecked at the Bar / October 1775
Unidentified Sloop / May 1778
A British privateer, Captain Goodrich, in a 10 gun sloop came into Beaufort Harbor "took a brig ... endeavored to carry off the brig, but not being able to get her out, set her on fire and left her". (North Carolina Gazette, May 15, 1778)
"A French sloop with molasses and sugar from Leogan, bound to that place, was driven ashore in a gale of wind, twelve miles from Old Topsail Inlet." (North Carolina Gazette, December 9, 1784)
Unidentified Vessel / 1 December 1785
"Ship belonging to Mr. Causse lost near Beaufort, drove ashore, from Egg Harbor to Hispaniola." (Pennsylvania Gazette, January 12, 1785)
Several Unidentified Vessels / 28 September 1786 / Ocracoke
Six Unidentified Vessels / 23-24 July 1788
Widespread damage to the central coastal area of North Carolina was caused by a storm whose center apparently passed east and north of the Cape Hatteras. One report indicated six vessels destroyed, eleven driven ashore and two dismasted at Ocracoke Inlet. Another report listed 22 out of 30 ships dismasted. Many vessels were stranded in the Pamlico Sound as the northwesterly gales forced the water out of the sound.
Several Unidentified Vessels / 10 April 1789
In the Albemarle Sound area there was “a very violent gale of wind, with an amazing rise of tide, supposed to be about nine feet above common high water mark.” A number of ships which headed out of the Chowan River area for ports to the north were lost along the Outer Banks. At least two of these wrecks resulted in the death of the entire crew. It is not known whether this storm was of tropical or extra tropical origin but the date suggests the latter.
Unidentified Vessel / 1 September 1795
"On Bogue banks, a small vessel wrecked ... He took out of her 53 firkins of butter and 61 of lard, and about eight broken barrels of flour." (North Carolina Gazette, October 24, 1795)
1800s
Several Unidentified Vessels / 28 September 1806
Wrecked near Ocracoke Inlet during a hurricane.
Two unidentified American merchantmen / 3 October 1818
Wrecked near Cape Hatteras during a storm.
Several Unidentified Vessels / 15 August 1830
The first effects of this hurricane were felt on the North Carolina coast on the 15th. At New Bern all vessels were blown from their moorings and many damaged. At Wilmington “...the water in the river rose, it is said, higher than known for 20 years “ and there was much wind damage in town. The storm was “terrible” at Smithville (Southport). Many vessels were driven ashore on the south coast. Recently constructed jetties, presumably near Wilmington or Smithville (Southport) were swept away.
Several Unidentified Vessels / 28-30 August 1839
A hurricane on this date moved up the Atlantic Coastal waters, apparently passed just offshore from Cape Hatteras. Trees were blown down and bridges washed out in the Elizabeth City area, and of the 15 vessels at Ocracoke only three escaped damage. Winds of tremendous force were reported at Washington.
Several Unidentified Vessels / 7 October 1842
Destroyed as an offshore hurricane that parallels the North Carolina coastline.
Unidentified Vessel / 7 September 1853
Coastline receives heavy rainfall from the outer rain bands of an offshore hurricane; one ship is lost offshore from the storm.
Unidentified Vessels / 1-(date unknown) November 1861
Seventy-five vessels, up to that time the largest fleet ever assembled under a U. S. commander, were scattered by a terrific gale encountered off Cape Hatteras. At least two vessels sank and at least seven men drowned. One or more vessels was wrecked and salvaged by Confederates. The strong winds associated with this storm apparently lasted several days.
Unidentified English Sloop / 1866
11 June 1772
The Virginia Gazette
Virginia Gazette (Purdie & Dixon)
Williamsburg, June 11
"Wednesday se’nnight, in a Gale of Wind and thick Weather, a Schooner from Philadelphia, John Kerr Master, bound for Portsmouth, deeply laden, was drove ashore at the Mouth of Currituck Inlet, and beat to Pieces. The People were saved, but chief of the Cargo will be lost."
Unidentified Schooner / July 1773
 |
| Pennsylvania Gazette, Philadelphia, PA, August 11, 1773 |
 |
| Maryland Gazette, Annapolis, MD, October 5, 1775 |
A British privateer, Captain Goodrich, in a 10 gun sloop came into Beaufort Harbor "took a brig ... endeavored to carry off the brig, but not being able to get her out, set her on fire and left her". (North Carolina Gazette, May 15, 1778)
Unidentified Vessel from Martinique / 1 January 1783
3 Unidentified Vessels / Hurricane / 19 September 1783
Unidentified Sloop / 25 November 1784 / Bogue Banks |
| Pennsylvania Gazette, Philadelphia, PA, March 12, 1783 |
"A French sloop with molasses and sugar from Leogan, bound to that place, was driven ashore in a gale of wind, twelve miles from Old Topsail Inlet." (North Carolina Gazette, December 9, 1784)
Unidentified Vessel / 1 December 1785
"Ship belonging to Mr. Causse lost near Beaufort, drove ashore, from Egg Harbor to Hispaniola." (Pennsylvania Gazette, January 12, 1785)
Several Unidentified Vessels / 28 September 1786 / Ocracoke
Six Unidentified Vessels / 23-24 July 1788
Widespread damage to the central coastal area of North Carolina was caused by a storm whose center apparently passed east and north of the Cape Hatteras. One report indicated six vessels destroyed, eleven driven ashore and two dismasted at Ocracoke Inlet. Another report listed 22 out of 30 ships dismasted. Many vessels were stranded in the Pamlico Sound as the northwesterly gales forced the water out of the sound.
Several Unidentified Vessels / 10 April 1789
In the Albemarle Sound area there was “a very violent gale of wind, with an amazing rise of tide, supposed to be about nine feet above common high water mark.” A number of ships which headed out of the Chowan River area for ports to the north were lost along the Outer Banks. At least two of these wrecks resulted in the death of the entire crew. It is not known whether this storm was of tropical or extra tropical origin but the date suggests the latter.
Unidentified Vessel / 1 September 1795
"On Bogue banks, a small vessel wrecked ... He took out of her 53 firkins of butter and 61 of lard, and about eight broken barrels of flour." (North Carolina Gazette, October 24, 1795)
1800s
Several Unidentified Vessels / 28 September 1806
Wrecked near Ocracoke Inlet during a hurricane.
Two unidentified American merchantmen / 3 October 1818
Wrecked near Cape Hatteras during a storm.
Several Unidentified Vessels / 15 August 1830
The first effects of this hurricane were felt on the North Carolina coast on the 15th. At New Bern all vessels were blown from their moorings and many damaged. At Wilmington “...the water in the river rose, it is said, higher than known for 20 years “ and there was much wind damage in town. The storm was “terrible” at Smithville (Southport). Many vessels were driven ashore on the south coast. Recently constructed jetties, presumably near Wilmington or Smithville (Southport) were swept away.
Several Unidentified Vessels / 28-30 August 1839
A hurricane on this date moved up the Atlantic Coastal waters, apparently passed just offshore from Cape Hatteras. Trees were blown down and bridges washed out in the Elizabeth City area, and of the 15 vessels at Ocracoke only three escaped damage. Winds of tremendous force were reported at Washington.
Several Unidentified Vessels / 7 October 1842
Destroyed as an offshore hurricane that parallels the North Carolina coastline.
Unidentified Vessel / 7 September 1853
Coastline receives heavy rainfall from the outer rain bands of an offshore hurricane; one ship is lost offshore from the storm.
Unidentified Vessels / 1-(date unknown) November 1861
Seventy-five vessels, up to that time the largest fleet ever assembled under a U. S. commander, were scattered by a terrific gale encountered off Cape Hatteras. At least two vessels sank and at least seven men drowned. One or more vessels was wrecked and salvaged by Confederates. The strong winds associated with this storm apparently lasted several days.
Unidentified English Sloop / 1866
Cape Lookout; all cargo salvaged.
Two Schooners / 18-22 August 1871
The effects of a tropical storm with gale-force winds capsized two small schooners near Smithville (Southport). Very high tides began in the Wilmington area on the 18th, and heavy rains and strong winds began on the 19th, lasting until the 22nd. The winds were most severe at Smithville (Southport) on 13 the night of the 19th (Saturday), rocking houses and throwing down large trees.
Several Unidentified Vessels / 12 September 1878
On this date a hurricane moved almost due north from Florida Keys to Lake Erie. A great many ships were disabled and wrecked. The steamer City of New York reported the hurricane lasted 40 hours between Cape Hatteras and Charleston, South Carolina. Highest reported winds were as follows: Smithville (Southport) southeast 48 mi/h, Wilmington southeast 30 mi/h, Sloop Point 65 mi/h and Cape Lookout southeast 75 mi/h.
Several Unidentified Vessels / 18 August 1879
A severe hurricane, charted from a position over the Bahamas on the 17th on a coast wise path to a position off Eastport, ME, on the 19th. Although the center was plotted as passing inland near Wilmington and back out to sea near Norfolk, Virginia, winds were highest at Cape Lookout. At 6 a.m. the anemometer cups were blown away when indicating 138 mi/h and the wind was afterward estimated to have reached 168 mi/h. Anemometers were also destroyed at Hatteras, Fort Macon, Kitty Hawk, Portsmouth, and Cape Henry, Virginia, with speeds estimated at 100 mi/h or more. A ship report indicated waves forty feet high from the trough to the crest. This storm was perhaps most destructive in the Morehead City-Beaufort area, where damage was reported to have included two hotels destroyed, the Atlantic and Ocean View, and 1,000 feet of railroad track torn up. All wharves were washed away and the chimneys of most houses were blown away. One schooner was known to have wrecked on Cape Hatteras and wrecks of others were said to have been in view from near Beaufort. On the Outer Banks, the storm caused great destruction at Diamond City, which was near Cape Lookout.
Several Unidentified Vessels / 9 September 1881
The center of a severe hurricane on this date moved northward across Wilmington-Wrightsville Beach area about 1 p.m., and proceeded slowly northward to near Norfolk, Virginia, and then northeast out to sea. Maximum five-minute wind recorded at Smithville (Southport) was northeast at 60 mi/h. At Smithville (Southport) it was reported as the most violent storm in 50 years, with the town “covered with fallen trees, scattered fences and the debris of demolished buildings.” “All pilot boats in the harbor were sunk, and loaded vessels driven ashore.”
Several Unidentified Vessels / 11 September 1883
A hurricane that moved ashore just east of the SC/NC border caused strong winds and wrecked several vessels along the coastline. There were 53 deaths in the state of North Carolina.
Unidentified Schooner / 12 October 1885
A disturbance initially observed southwest of Florida on the morning of the 10th strengthened and moved slowly north through that state, passing west of Jacksonville and Savannah, reaching southwestern Virginia about midnight of the 12th. Northeasterly to southeasterly gales resulted all along the North Carolina coast, giving maximum velocities from 44 to 56 mi/h. High tides at Smithville (Southport) submerged the entire waterfront and flooded a few stores. At both Wilmington and Smithville (Southport) the tide was reported as the highest in ten years. Some flooding occurred in New Bern. A schooner was wrecked at Hatteras Inlet.
Several Unidentified Vessels / 20 August 1887
A major hurricane that paralleled the coastline offshore wrecked several boats.
Two Schooners / 18-22 August 1871
The effects of a tropical storm with gale-force winds capsized two small schooners near Smithville (Southport). Very high tides began in the Wilmington area on the 18th, and heavy rains and strong winds began on the 19th, lasting until the 22nd. The winds were most severe at Smithville (Southport) on 13 the night of the 19th (Saturday), rocking houses and throwing down large trees.
Several Unidentified Vessels / 12 September 1878
On this date a hurricane moved almost due north from Florida Keys to Lake Erie. A great many ships were disabled and wrecked. The steamer City of New York reported the hurricane lasted 40 hours between Cape Hatteras and Charleston, South Carolina. Highest reported winds were as follows: Smithville (Southport) southeast 48 mi/h, Wilmington southeast 30 mi/h, Sloop Point 65 mi/h and Cape Lookout southeast 75 mi/h.
Several Unidentified Vessels / 18 August 1879
A severe hurricane, charted from a position over the Bahamas on the 17th on a coast wise path to a position off Eastport, ME, on the 19th. Although the center was plotted as passing inland near Wilmington and back out to sea near Norfolk, Virginia, winds were highest at Cape Lookout. At 6 a.m. the anemometer cups were blown away when indicating 138 mi/h and the wind was afterward estimated to have reached 168 mi/h. Anemometers were also destroyed at Hatteras, Fort Macon, Kitty Hawk, Portsmouth, and Cape Henry, Virginia, with speeds estimated at 100 mi/h or more. A ship report indicated waves forty feet high from the trough to the crest. This storm was perhaps most destructive in the Morehead City-Beaufort area, where damage was reported to have included two hotels destroyed, the Atlantic and Ocean View, and 1,000 feet of railroad track torn up. All wharves were washed away and the chimneys of most houses were blown away. One schooner was known to have wrecked on Cape Hatteras and wrecks of others were said to have been in view from near Beaufort. On the Outer Banks, the storm caused great destruction at Diamond City, which was near Cape Lookout.
Several Unidentified Vessels / 9 September 1881
The center of a severe hurricane on this date moved northward across Wilmington-Wrightsville Beach area about 1 p.m., and proceeded slowly northward to near Norfolk, Virginia, and then northeast out to sea. Maximum five-minute wind recorded at Smithville (Southport) was northeast at 60 mi/h. At Smithville (Southport) it was reported as the most violent storm in 50 years, with the town “covered with fallen trees, scattered fences and the debris of demolished buildings.” “All pilot boats in the harbor were sunk, and loaded vessels driven ashore.”
Several Unidentified Vessels / 11 September 1883
A hurricane that moved ashore just east of the SC/NC border caused strong winds and wrecked several vessels along the coastline. There were 53 deaths in the state of North Carolina.
Unidentified Schooner / 12 October 1885
A disturbance initially observed southwest of Florida on the morning of the 10th strengthened and moved slowly north through that state, passing west of Jacksonville and Savannah, reaching southwestern Virginia about midnight of the 12th. Northeasterly to southeasterly gales resulted all along the North Carolina coast, giving maximum velocities from 44 to 56 mi/h. High tides at Smithville (Southport) submerged the entire waterfront and flooded a few stores. At both Wilmington and Smithville (Southport) the tide was reported as the highest in ten years. Some flooding occurred in New Bern. A schooner was wrecked at Hatteras Inlet.
Several Unidentified Vessels / 20 August 1887
A major hurricane that paralleled the coastline offshore wrecked several boats.
Unidentified Vessel / February 1894
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| Southport Leader, Southport, NC, February 8, 1894 |
Several Unidentified Schooners / 27-28 September 1894
Moving in a sweeping curve across San Domingo (now the Dominican Republic), Haiti and Cuba, the center of a hurricane went briefly out to sea again after crossing Florida and then struck the coast between Savannah, GA and Charleston, SC. It moved northeastward just a short distance inland through South Carolina and southeastern North Carolina, entering the ocean again a few miles north of Hatteras. Maximum 5-minute wind velocities reached 60 mi/h at Kitty Hawk and 54 mi/h at Southport from the southeast on the 27th. Schooners were reported wrecked in the Ocracoke and Cape Fear areas.
Several Unidentified Vessels / 30-31 October 1899
A hurricane that struck the North Carolina coast on the morning of October 31st, 1899, caused great destruction and damage. Water came over the wharves in Wilmington and flooded some streets and there was much flooding and damage in New Bern, Morehead City and Beaufort. At Southport, it was “the worst storm ever.” One steamer was wrecked on the coast and 10 smaller vessels were driven ashore. Inland, many trees were uprooted.
Updated 2/18/2019
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