Today in History - 1703
An unusual storm system dissipates over England after wreaking havoc on the country for nearly two weeks. Featuring hurricane strength winds, the storm killed somewhere between 10,000 and 30,000 people. Hundreds of Royal Navy ships were lost to the storm, the worst in Britain’s history.
With winds estimated at over 80 miles per hour, bricks were blown from some buildings and embedded in others. Wood beams, separated from buildings, flew through the air and killed hundreds across the south of the country.
The death toll mounted when 300 Royal Navy ships anchored off the country’s southern coast—with 8,000 sailors on board--were lost. The Eddystone Lighthouse, built on a rock outcropping 14 miles from Plymouth, was felled by the storm. Huge waves on the Thames River sent water six feet higher than ever before recorded near London.
With winds estimated at over 80 miles per hour, bricks were blown from some buildings and embedded in others. Wood beams, separated from buildings, flew through the air and killed hundreds across the south of the country.
The death toll mounted when 300 Royal Navy ships anchored off the country’s southern coast—with 8,000 sailors on board--were lost. The Eddystone Lighthouse, built on a rock outcropping 14 miles from Plymouth, was felled by the storm. Huge waves on the Thames River sent water six feet higher than ever before recorded near London.
