Photos of Hurricane of ’38

Chimney Blown Off House on Providence, RI area, 8 by 10 high resolution reproduction, $20

Here are some photos I was able to purchase at an antique store in Warren, Rhode Island. they were taken the day after the hurricane of ’38 and most have  some identifying information on them. I am able to make high resolution  8 by 10 reprints available for  $20.00. I will be posting more of them as time permits.


Boat Yards at Port of Providence, Coolest Photo of building, taken the day after the hurricane. High resolution reprint available for $20

Harbor area destroyed by storm surge. New England Hurricane of 1938. Rhode Island, Pawtuxet Village 1938 September 22

Barber shop of the Grosvenor Building with barber chairs reflected in the remnants of storm surge waters. New England Hurricane of 1938. Rhode Island, Providence

Walking down Ship Street after the waters receded. Men have their trousers rolled up to navigate areas of standing water. New England Hurricane of 1938. Rhode Island, Providence 1938 September 22

General destruction in the upper harbor, Providence, RI. Workboat floated up on land by storm surge. New England Hurricane of 1938.

The Modern Grain Company building at India Point in the upper reaches of Narragansett Bay was destroyed by the storm surge. New England Hurricane of 1938. Rhode Island, Providence

The tug Monhegan left high and dry by storm surge. New England Hurricane of 1938. Rhode Island, Providence 1938 September 22

Harbor area destroyed by storm surge. New England Hurricane of 1938. Rhode Island, Pawtuxet Village 1938 September 22

Bay Ridge homes undercut by erosion caused by New England Hurricane of 1938. Rhode Island, Providence

TRAIN AXLES OFF TRACKS

TRAIN AXLES OFF TRACKS, HURRICANE OF ’38, PAWTUCKET, RI

BOATS, PAWTUCKET AREA, RI, HURRICANE OF 1938

11 Responses to Photos of Hurricane of ’38

  1. These photos are terrific. I wonder if that’s the same hurricane that killed 3000 people in Florida, when it pushed Lake Okeechobee over its banks?

    Carmen

    • This was the September 22nd hurricane of 1938. It was far off the coast of Florida but went straight across Long Island actually cutting it in 2 out in the Hamptons then headed north. Connecticut, Rhode Island and Massachusetts were hit without warning causing many deaths. there was a 30 foot storm surge up the Sakonnet River that wiped out the neighborhood of Island Park in Portsmouth, Rhode Island.

  2. Really neat photos and so glad you were able to save a piece of history. I remember my parents talking about Providence and the 1938 hurricane. Now we’re waiting to see what hurricane Irene will bring.

    • Thanks. I found these in an antique store in Warren, RI. Turned them over to NOAA for their digitized collection but was able to keep the originals. Can’t imagine what we are really in for this weekend.

  3. What a GREAT find – fantastic photos!! Stay safe. 😉 Donna

  4. Dear Susan,

    My name is Dan Maroney and I am compiling a Maroney Family History. My dad was just a 16-year-old boy who was downtown Providence when the “Great Hurricane of 1938” rolled up the Narragansett Bay and into Providence. I would like to use the picture of the Barber Shop – dad was in a restaurant close to the BS. I would like to show the picture, for no financial gain, to demonstrate the hieght the water rose tooooooo!

    Sincerely,
    Dan Maroney

  5. Zelda Feinberg

    Hi Susan,
    I met your husband today while I was buying some wild bird supplies. He was so helpful , what a nice guy !
    While at the counter I noticed the most beautiful greeting cards. I was so taken with them I just had to buy some, at which point he told me they were his wife’s work. Problem is I don’t think I can part with them so I’ll just have to buy more !

    My father and mother had a great story about the hurricane of ’38. My mother was a buyer at Jeans department store in Providence. My father would tell the story of swimming through the streets to rescue his gal in the storm. Probably a slight exaggeration but was always one of my favorite family tales.
    So—-seeing those photos really meant a lot to me and made me very nostalgic.
    Thanks for the memories !

    I’m going to peruse your site and see what I would like to purchase. I really love your work.

    Thanks again,

    Zelda Feinberg

  6. These photos are fabulous mementos of that famous hurricane that wiped out so much of New England. So happy you have posted them to us!

  7. Raine

    My dad was just 12 years old. Thank you for posting the ships unwillingly “docked” in the local street. My dad spoke of seeing such amazing sites in Warren on Water Street.

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