View source for 1959 Escuminac disaster

{{Short description|Category 1 Atlantic hurricane}}
{{Good article}}
{{Use mdy dates|date=June 2019}}
{{Infobox weather event
| image = June hurricane (Escuminac disaster) weather map, June 19, 1959.jpg
| caption = [[Surface weather analysis]] of the hurricane nearing extratropical transition on June 19
| formed = {{start date|1959|6|18}}
| extratropical = {{end date|1959|6|19}}
| dissipated = {{end date|1959|6|21}}
}}{{Infobox weather event/NWS
| winds = 75
| pressure = 974
}}{{Infobox weather event/Effects
| year = 1959
| fatalities = 35 direct
| damage = 2500000
| areas = [[Florida]], [[Atlantic Canada]]
| refs = 
}}{{Infobox weather event/Footer
| season = [[1959 Atlantic hurricane season]]
}}

The '''1959 Escuminac disaster''', also known as the '''Escuminac hurricane''', was considered the worst fishing-related disaster in the Canadian province of [[New Brunswick]] in 100&nbsp;years. It occurred due to the [[extratropical cyclone|extratropical]] remnants of an [[Atlantic hurricane]]. The storm was the third [[tropical cyclone]] and first hurricane of the [[1959 Atlantic hurricane season]], and developed from a tropical wave in the central [[Gulf of Mexico]] on June 18. It headed rapidly northeastward and struck [[Florida]] later that day. Shortly after entering the [[Atlantic Ocean]], it strengthened into a tropical storm later on June 18. By the following day, it had strengthened into a hurricane. However, it transitioned into an extratropical cyclone about six hours later. The remnants struck [[Atlantic Canada]], once in [[Nova Scotia]] and again in [[Newfoundland (island)|Newfoundland]] before dissipating on June 21.

In its early stages, the storm dropped moderately heavy rainfall in Florida, which caused damage to crops. A tornado near [[Miami, Florida|Miami]] and high tides on the west coast of the state also resulted in damage. Overall, losses in Florida were around $1.7&nbsp;million (1959&nbsp;USD). After becoming extratropical, the storm caused significant effects in Atlantic Canada. About 45&nbsp;boats were in the [[Northumberland Strait]] between New Brunswick and Prince Edward Island, and they did not have radio to receive warning of the approaching storm. Rough seas of up to {{cvt|49|ft|m}} in height damaged or destroyed many boats. At least 22&nbsp;fishing boats capsized with their crews, causing 35&nbsp;fatalities. High winds also disrupted communications in some areas, and several houses sustained damage, costing $750,000 (1959&nbsp;CAD, $781,000 1959&nbsp;USD). The event became the deadliest work-related disaster in New Brunswick.

==Early history==
{{Storm path|1959 Escuminac hurricane track.png}}
On June 15, a [[tropical wave]] with associated [[Atmospheric instability|instability]] was observed in the northwestern Caribbean Sea. It moved into the central Gulf of Mexico on June 16, and the next day developed a weak [[atmospheric circulation|circulation]] at the same time that [[1959 Atlantic hurricane season#Tropical Storm Beulah|Tropical Storm Beulah]] was on the other side of the gulf. The system in the eastern gulf moved to the northeast,<ref name="mwr">{{cite journal|journal=Monthly Weather Review|publisher=The Weather Bureau|author=Gordon E. Dunn|date=December 1959|access-date=March 2, 2013|url=http://www.aoml.noaa.gov/hrd/hurdat/mwr_pdf/1959.pdf|title=The Hurricane Season of 1959|doi=10.1175/1520-0493(1959)087<0441:thso>2.0.co;2|volume=87|issue=12|pages=441–450|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120118100046/http://www.aoml.noaa.gov/hrd/hurdat/mwr_pdf/1959.pdf|archive-date=January 18, 2012|url-status=live|doi-access=free|bibcode=1959MWRv...87..441D }}</ref> becoming a tropical depression by June 18 at 00:00&nbsp;[[Coordinated Universal Time|UTC]]. Moving quickly to the northeast, the system moved across central Florida in less than six hours, making [[landfall (meteorology)|landfall]] near [[Tampa Bay]] and exiting near [[Cape Canaveral]].<ref name="mwr" />
[[File:Escuminac_1959_rainfall.gif|thumb|255x255px|Rainfall totals from the storm in Florida]]
As the depression struck western Florida, it produced {{convert|3|ft|m|abbr=on|0}} above-normal tides,<ref name="mwr"/> which damaged docks and caused [[coastal erosion|beach erosion]].<ref name="sd">{{cite journal|journal=Storm Data|title=Storm Data and Unusual Weather Phenomena|volume=1|number=6|publisher=United States Department of Commerce|date=June 1959|url=https://www.ncei.noaa.gov/pub/orders/IPS/IPS-4B928C43-D43B-4BB5-A76D-9D183994A139.pdf|access-date=January 15, 2024}}</ref> Wind gusts near [[Sarasota, Florida|Sarasota]] reached about {{cvt|49|mph|kph}}. After previously wet conditions, the system dropped heavy rainfall across the state,<ref name="mwr"/> unofficially reaching {{convert|15|in|mm|abbr=on}} in some areas and causing flooding. Along the [[Indian River (Florida)|Indian River]], flooding damaged citrus crops, and statewide some roads were damaged.<ref name="sd"/> When the storm was first forming in the Gulf of Mexico, it spawned an [[Tornadoes of 1959#June 17|F3 tornado]] in Miami that lasted for over 20&nbsp;minutes.<ref name="mwr"/> The [[National Climatic Data Center]] considered it the worst tornado in the city since [[1925 Miami tornado|1925]], and the overall path was about {{convert|12|mi|km|abbr=on}}. A total of 77&nbsp;people were injured due to the tornado, mostly due to cuts from broken glass,<ref name="sd"/> and damage from it was estimated at $1.5&nbsp;million. Another tornado was reported north of [[West Palm Beach, Florida|West Palm Beach]], although it affected a sparsely populated area; total damage statewide totaled $1,656,000.<ref name="mwr"/>

==Storm approach to Canada==
Late on June 18, it is estimated the depression intensified into a tropical storm,{{Atlantic hurricane best track}} and that day the [[National Hurricane Center|Miami Hurricane Center]] issued its last advisory, warning ships of the potential for future strengthening.<ref name="mwr"/> The storm moved rapidly to the northeast, passing halfway between Bermuda and North Carolina early on June 19.{{Atlantic hurricane best track}} At 02:50&nbsp;UTC that day, a ship reported a falling [[atmospheric pressure|barometric pressure]] of {{cvt|993|hPa|inHg mbar}} with west-southwesterly winds of {{convert|92|mph|km/h|abbr=on}}. Although it was associated with a diffused [[Weather front|frontal zone]], the storm maintained a [[tropical cyclone#mechanics|warm core]] and initially remained largely tropical.<ref name="mwr"/> At 12:00&nbsp;UTC on June 19, it is estimated the storm intensified into a hurricane about halfway between Bermuda and Nova Scotia, with a pressure of {{cvt|974|hPa|inHg mbar}}. Six hours later, it became [[extratropical cyclone|extratropical]], although the former hurricane intensified further to peak winds of {{cvt|80|mph|kph}}. On June 20, the storm slowed and turned sharply to the northwest.{{Atlantic hurricane best track}} It weakened slightly before moving ashore near [[Canso, Nova Scotia]].<ref name="ec">{{cite report|publisher=Environment Canada|date=September 14, 2010|title=1959-NN-1|access-date=March 3, 2013|url=http://www.ec.gc.ca/Hurricane/default.asp?lang=En&n=331B21D2-1|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130312070254/http://www.ec.gc.ca/Hurricane/default.asp?lang=En&n=331B21D2-1|archive-date=March 12, 2013|url-status=live}}</ref> Crossing the island, it struck [[Prince Edward Island]] before turning sharply to the east and crossing Nova Scotia again. Late on June 20, it re-emerged into the Atlantic Ocean and continued to the east-northeast. The extratropical storm moved over southeastern [[Newfoundland (island)|Newfoundland]] and dissipated on June 21.<ref name="HURDAT"/>

Before the storm reached Atlantic Canada, the [[Meteorological Service of Canada|meteorological branch]] of the [[Transport Canada|Department of Transport]] provided notices for the advancing storm.<ref name="mwr"/> On the day of the storm, the forecast from the [[Halifax Regional Municipality|Halifax]] weather office was for light winds, and although it was amended to highlight severe conditions, boats in the region had no radio to learn of the threat.<ref name="gnb">{{cite web|author=Nicole Lang|publisher=Government of New Brunswick|title=The Escuminac Disaster|access-date=March 4, 2013|url=http://www.gnb.ca/0131/PDF/H/HW/EscuminacDisaster.pdf|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120916210451/http://www.gnb.ca/0131/PDF/H/HW/EscuminacDisaster.pdf|archive-date=September 16, 2012|url-status=live}}</ref> There were many salmon in the region, which prompted fishermen to set sail.<ref name="lpe"/> As the storm approached, there were about 45 boats in the [[Northumberland Strait]] between New Brunswick and Prince Edward Island.<ref name="ec"/>

==Impact and aftermath==
[[File:Escuminac Disaster Monument.JPG|upright=0.6|thumb|Escuminac Disaster Memorial at [[Escuminac, New Brunswick]] for the victims of the storm]]

Along the coast of New Brunswick, the storm produced {{cvt|49|ft|m}} waves that destroyed several boats, including 22 over open waters between [[Point Escuminac]] and [[Richibucto]]. Two bodies washed ashore in the latter, and eleven bodies were eventually discovered. About one-third of the salmon boats in [[Miramichi, New Brunswick|Miramichi]] were destroyed.<ref name="ec"/> Across New Brunswick, the storm disrupted communications near the coast. Along the coasts of New Brunswick and Prince Edward Island, high waves destroyed cottages and forced some families to evacuate.<ref name="re">{{cite news|agency=United Press International|date=June 21, 1959|title=11 Perish in Wind, Rain Storm|access-date=March 5, 2013|newspaper=The Reading Eagle|url=https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=K7leAAAAIBAJ&pg=6994,1359997&dq=new+brunswick+storm&hl=en}}</ref> The former hurricane produced strong winds in the region, peaking at {{cvt|75|mph|kph}}, and its passage was accompanied by moderate rainfall, peaking at {{cvt|4.29|in|mm}} in Nova Scotia. There, many lobster cages were destroyed, and boats were removed from their moorings. In Prince Edward Island, up to 50% of the [[lobster trap]]s were destroyed or missing, including 5,000&nbsp;destroyed traps near [[Souris, Prince Edward Island|Souris]]. As with New Brunswick, several boats were destroyed or washed ashore, and damage in the province was estimated at $750,000 (1959&nbsp;CAD, $781,000 1959&nbsp;USD).<!--http://fxtop.com/en/currency-converter-past.php?A=750&C1=CAD&C2=USD&DD=15&MM=06&YYYY=1959&B=1&P=&I=1&btnOK=Go%21--> A total of 35&nbsp;people were killed between Nova Scotia and Prince Edward Island, mostly fishermen.<ref name="ec"/> As a result, the Escuminac disaster, as it came to be known, became the deadliest work-related disaster in New Brunswick.<ref name="gnb"/> The [[Department of Fisheries (New Brunswick)|minister of fisheries]] considered the event to be "the worst disaster to hit a Canadian fishing fleet in about 100&nbsp;years".<ref>{{cite news|agency=The Canada Press|date=July 18, 1959|title=$50,000 for Fishermen's Disaster Fund|newspaper=The Sun|access-date=March 5, 2013|url=https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=sZRlAAAAIBAJ&pg=2324,3693569&dq=new+brunswick+storm&hl=en}}</ref>

In the days after the storm, the [[Royal Canadian Air Force]] and [[Royal Canadian Mounted Police]] operated search and rescue missions, while families waited on the beach. The [[Canadian Red Cross]] set up headquarters in Escuminac to assist the victims.<ref name="lpe">{{cite news|newspaper=Lunenburg Progress Enterprise |date=June 24, 1959 |title=32 Fishermen Are Missing When Gales Hit New Brunswick Coast |access-date=March 5, 2013 |url=http://www.lostatsea.ca/escumina.htm |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20060425030301/http://www.lostatsea.ca/escumina.htm |archive-date=April 25, 2006 }}</ref> Due to storm fatalities, 24&nbsp;adults became widows, and 83&nbsp;children lost their fathers. As a result, the New Brunswick Fishermen's Disaster Fund was created to assist the families. The fund raised $400,000 in a few months from donations from throughout Canada, as well as [[Pope John XXIII]] and Queen [[Elizabeth II]], the latter of whom was on a tour of the country at the time.<ref name="gnb"/>

In memory of the storm victims, artist [[Claude Roussel]] created a wood sculpture entitled ''Les Pêcheurs – The Fishermen'', which won first prize at [[New Brunswick Museum]] in 1962. Later, residents near Escuminac raised money to turn the work into a stone monument, which was dedicated on June 19, 1969. It was nearly {{cvt|7|ft|m}} in height, weighed about {{convert|10000|lb|t|0|abbr=in}}, and depicted a group of fishermen working together, with the names of the deceased on a bronze plaque. In 2001, the government of New Brunswick declared the Escuminac Disaster Monument as a provincial historical site.<ref name="gnb"/>

==See also==
{{Portal|Tropical cyclones}}
* [[List of Canada hurricanes]]
* [[List of Florida hurricanes (1950–1974)]]

==References==
{{reflist|30em}}

==External links==
* [https://web.archive.org/web/20040326193339/http://cap.ic.gc.ca/nb/hardwicke/escdismus/who.html Victims of the Escuminac Disaster]

{{1959 Atlantic hurricane season buttons}}
{{New Brunswick}}
{{Fishing history|state=collapsed}}

{{DEFAULTSORT:Escuminac Hurricane, 1959}}
[[Category:1959 Atlantic hurricane season]]
[[Category:Category 1 Atlantic hurricanes]]
[[Category:Hurricanes in Canada]]
[[Category:Hurricanes in Florida]]
[[Category:Nor'easters|1959 Escuminac Hurricane]]
[[Category:1959 in Canada]]
[[Category:1959 natural disasters in the United States]]
[[Category:Natural disasters in New Brunswick]]
[[Category:Fishing disasters]]
[[Category:1959 in Maine]]
[[Category:1959 in New Brunswick]]
[[Category:June 1959 in Canada]]
[[Category:1959 disasters in Canada]]