Enlarge picture
(71 k)
The Late Terrible Hurricane at St. Thomas, West India Islands.
New York: Frank Leslie, 1867.
Hurricanes have been a constant menace in the Caribbean, causing extensive damage to life, property and commerce both on land and at sea.
These storms were partially responsible for the decline of Spain's economic power by the early eighteenth century. Treasure fleets returning to Spain from the New World were severely crippled by hurricanes in 1715 and 1733, resulting in large financial losses.
Later hurricanes were covered by the illustrated press. This print depicts
a devastating storm that swept across the islands east of Puerto Rico
in 1867.
Image no. 2004-324-1
