August 7, 2015 — The first days of October had been warm in 1851, and seas were calm in the Gulf of St. Lawrence as much of the New England fishing fleet worked in the waters not far from Prince Edward Island.
That picturesque scene would change unexpectedly, when the ocean grew heavy with swells and the winds rose fiercely. What would be known as the “Yankee Gale” struck on the evening of Friday, Oct. 3.
Although vessels and fishing schooners in its path tried to run for safe harbor, most didn’t find it. The gale, accompanied by torrential rains, blew for the next two days, judging from written accounts.
By Monday morning, when the storm finally subsided, records show from 70 to 90 boats were sunk, capsized or wrecked ashore, and 160 men lost their lives, leaving families and friends at home in mourning.