London Evening Post in London, Middlesex

Incredible hurricane wrecks in Ganges mouth voyage losses

A May 26 1738 letter from Orient reports a furious hurricane at the Mouth of the Ganges reaching 60 leagues upstream. It struck at night with heavy rain raising water 15 inches in six hours. An earthquake toppled many riverfront houses, the English church steeple sank, and ships including two 500 ton vessels broke apart. Estimates of 20,000 ships lost are likely exaggerated, with cattle, tigers, rhinoceroses, and birds drowned or injured. English and Dutch ships suffered heavy damage. three English ships were wrecked near Chandernagore, while the Philibert survived. The report notes upcoming arrivals from China and Batavia. Continuous updates from London detail court, traffic, and municipal matters.