Natural disasters are those unannounced horrors that can take countless lives and destroy millions of dollars worth of assets in a matter of minutes. You could be napping peacefully on a warm afternoon one minute, and holding on for your dear life the next! A hurricane is one such natural calamity that is sometimes potent enough to not only ruin livelihoods but render some things damaged beyond repair. Here’s a list of five hurricanes that altered the course of history in such a way that we are even effected today, no matter where you are on the map. Even if you’re not a history nerd, you are going to find the story of these historical hurricanes interesting and the way they altered life that we know today.
A Hurricane Prevented Florida From Colonizing In 1565
Back in the mid-16th century, Florida was effectively controlled by the Spanish. However, along the banks of St. John’s River, French settlers built Fort Caroline, which could’ve acted as a base for the French colonizers in their attempt to colonize Florida.
Spanish Admiral Pedro Menéndez de Aviles found an unexpected natural ally in the form of a hurricane, drifting the French southward and wrecking them. Menéndez had 130 French settlers slaughtered, ruining France’s attempt to colonize Florida.
The Hurricane Which Is Said To Have Inspired Shakespeare’s “The Tempest”
Not only did a hurricane mark its place in the history of Jamestown in black ink, but it is also said to have marked its place in one of the most refine literary works of Shakespeare, The Tempest. The hurricane allegedly wrecked the supply ship to Jamestown Colony.
When the survivors of the shipwreck reached Jamestown, they found the population of 500 turned all the way down to just a few dozen. Many literary experts believe this plot made its way to Shakespeare via William Strachey, a survivor.
The Hurricane That Gave Birth To The Historic Age Of “Pirates Of the Caribbean”
At the beginning of the 18th century, the second wave of the Golden Age of Piracy was fueled by a hurricane when a dozen ships loaded with valuable treasure sailed right into the mouth of a storm in 1715.
It was nothing short of a Gold Rush! People rushed to the waters, hoping to get some of the sunken treasure, only to return empty-handed. However, some became full-time pirates and started plundering merchant ships.
The Hurricane That Killed Before The War
The Great Atlantic Hurricane of 1944 is recorded in the history of the U.S. as one of the most destructive hurricanes of that time. Causing over 46 deaths and the destruction of assets of over $100 million, the sea saw the ugliest side of the disaster.
The hurricane wreaked havoc during the World War II shipping, killing over 300 individuals and destroying five American Vessels, including a US Navy Destroyer and minesweeper.
The Hurricane That “Sealed The Deal” During American Revolution
Claiming eight British ships, over 40 French transport vessels, and the lives of an estimated 22,000 people, The Great Hurricane of 1780 is called the deadliest Atlantic hurricane in the pages of history.
The turn of events eventually ended up causing Lord Cornwallis to surrender to the French after the British escape routes were blocked during the Seige of Yorktown. Thus the Great Hurricane of 1780 definitely played a part in shaping the history to its will.
