Hurricanes, Bootlegging, and Hospitals

79 years ago the unnamed hurricane of August 11, 1940 had this area in a tizzy. 

According to A History of Storms of the South Carolina Coast by Laylon Jordan (South Carolina Sea Grant Consortium, 1940), that hurricane was the "first severe hurricane to strike the South Carolina coast directly in 30 years." When it made landfall near Beaufort, winds were clocked at 105 miles per hour and the entire South Carolina coastal region suffered through a 13-foot storm surge. Total property losses were estimated at $10 million; the death tally was 34. 200 homes were destroyed and at least 1000 houses sustained damage. However the Beaufort Gazette newspaper stated in its August 15, 1940 issue that "the greatest loss to the community is that suffered by the age old lovely oak trees."

10 of the 34 people killed by this storm died in Beaufort County. 9 of the 10 victims were African-American. According to their death certificates, each person drowned. Based on evidence in the 1940 Census- available through the Library's subscription to Ancestry Library Edition -- the Gardner Family of St. Helena Island experienced the worst tragedy arising out of the Hurricane of 1940. Six members of the family died: Ethel, Melka, Frankie, William, Arthur and Marion. The eldest person was 24 years old and the youngest was only a baby. A Civilian Conservation Corp member working on Hunting Island, Ashley Allen, a white young man, got caught by the rising tide and did not survive. Edward Robinson, one of the sons of Stepney Robinson (AKA "Dr. Buzzard"), and Joe L. Williams also died.

At some point, I hope to craft a lecture about the Hurricane of 1940 similar to the one I do about the Great Sea Island Storm of 1893. And speaking of the 1893 hurricane, I'm doing an updated version of my lecture about the biggest, baddest storm to strike Beaufort District to date. All are welcomed to attend on August 28th. It's a first come, first seated presentation.

Another first come, first seated presentation occurs on this Thursday. We also hope that you'll be able to attend Neil Baxley's presentation entitled "Bootlegging in Beaufort and Beyond".

In case you'd like to pencil more local history programs into your calendar, we have two programs scheduled for September:

"Sorrow by the Sea: Civil War Hospitals in Beaufort" with Dave Smoot
Sept. 11, 2019, BDC@ Beaufort Branch, 5:30 PM

"Sorrow by the Sea" is the story of the medical side of the Civil War in Beaufort. First come; first seated. No registration.

"Indigo" with Peggy Pickett
 Sept. 17, 2019, BHM/BCL series @ Beaufort Branch, 2:00 PM

Pickett will explore the history of the production and processing of indigo in mid-18th century South Carolina. Registration for this lecture will open 2 weeks in advance of the program. https://beauforthistorymuseum.wildapricot.org/event-3463469


And don't forget! The Research Room has adjusted hours on Tuesday, August 13th due to an anticipated staff shortage. Research hours will be 9 AM to Noon and 1 PM to 5 PM on that date.