LEST WE FORGET

‘Storm of storms,’ a sad September memory

By Forest Riggs

This year marks the 125th anniversary of the Great Storm that decimated Galveston Island in 1900. That Saturday, September 1, the morning was much like any other partly cloudy day. The Gulf was restless; early in the day, swells were observed. As the day passed and the weather intensified, some residents began to worry. The sky was darkening, and the winds were picking up fast.

Many residents fled the island for the mainland, never thinking things would go so badly in such a short time. For those that remained, none could have imagined what the next 24 hours would bring.

There are volumes written about the Great Storm of 1900, still considered to be the worst natural disaster to strike U.S. soil. There have been movies, documentaries, bestselling novels, published accounts, and museum and library exhibits, all depicting and telling the story of the storm. Even Thomas Edison, the great inventor, sent a team to the island to make a first-hand film recording of the aftermath. A small, bustling little island in the Gulf of Mexico, only a few miles from the mainland was to be leveled and forever bare the memory of the infamous day.

With a population of around 37,788 persons and home to some of the wealthiest Americans of the era, Galveston was known at the “Wall Street of the South”. Officially founded in 1839, the island was well known around the globe. Major businesses made the island their home: banking, insurance, agriculture, railroad, stock trading and much more. Many fortunes were made and lost in Galveston as the city developed and the shipping industry helped grow the little bar island. Some of the original families still maintain grand homes and business interests there.

A house tipped on its side, with several boys standing in front, after the Great Galveston Storm in Texas. The storm remains the worst natural disaster and the worst hurricane in U.S. history.

Of the 37,000+ residents, more than 10,000 were left homeless after the devastating storm. Best estimates of the number of casualties range from a pretty-sure 6,000 to upwards of 12,000. The effects of the storm were so crippling that the “Golden Age of Galveston” was shattered.

Prior to the storm, few believed that any such storm would happen, let alone destroy the thriving city. Since Galveston’s 1830s founding and before that, the island had certainly experienced other hurricanes and storms. In fact, when the idea of building a protective seawall had been proposed and considered, it was for the most part disregarded and labeled a “tremendous waste to undertake such an endeavor.” However, the “unwanted” seawall has served its purpose well over the ensuing years.

The storm formed around August 27 and grew in size and strength as it traveled the warm waters of the Caribbean and Gulf, devastating island communities and countries as the voracious winds and high water crossed over them. Communications were poor and some not sent at all, as they should have been, warning of the impending storm and its potential. There are books and stories about the Cline brothers, Isaac and Joseph, both meteorologists, who were aware — or at least determining — the intensity of the oncoming storm. Their attempts to warn the remaining citizens of Galveston of its severity and power were made in vain.

Nearly every building and structure on the island was damaged or destroyed.  Photographic records show the city’s crumpled and crushed structures, once large and majestic buildings housing churches, civic offices, private homes and gathering places. All were gone in a matter of hours. First-hand accounts were written describing the horrible night and the misery that ensued. Bodies were left hanging in trees and protruding from layers of mud and debris. The smell of death hung over the island like black pall. Some say it was as if Dante’s description of Hell had visited Galveston Island.

Among the great losses was the St. Mary’s Orphanage Asylum, maintained by ten Sisters of Charity of the Incarnate Word. The orphanage was completely destroyed. As the water rose and the winds beat against the boys’ dorm, the sisters made a decision to move everyone to the girls’ dorm, thought to be more secure. The sisters led the alarmed children in singing “Queen of the Waves”. Using clothesline, the sisters lashed the orphans together in an attempt to keep them safe. In the aftermath of the storm, the bodies of all ten sisters and the children were found drowned in the mud, still connected by the line. Three boys managed to escape and were found alive, clinging to a tree.

To this day, there are stories, rumors, and even some documentation of paranormal activity surrounding the St. Mary’s Orphanage. A Walmart now stands on the site, and has been labeled the “Most Haunted Walmart in America” due to paranormal activity observed. The story of this “haunted” Walmart can be viewed on YouTube and other sources. The shadowy ghost of Sr. Katherine, the nun in charge, is allegedly seen walking in the area, especially during inclement weather.

The Great Storm of 1900 left a permanent mark on the soul of Galveston Island. There are many tales and strange happenings that are simply attributed to the mass number of deaths that occurred in such a short span of time. Many residents have stories to share and will gladly do so when asked.

As we approach the 125th anniversary of that horrible day, let us take a moment to reflect on those who perished. It was indeed a “storm of storms” and a day of infamy.

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