The Sitka Hurricane: What Do the Logbooks Tell Us?
Focusing on Details: Discussion Topic
All documents and text associated with this activity are printed below, followed by a worksheet for student responses.Introduction
These pages from the logbook (also called a captain's log or deck log) of the USS Jamestown record the weather, positioning and events for October 25-27, 1880. The ship was near Sitka, Alaska, in the Alaska panhandle, where her duty was to survey the harbor and protect U.S. interests.On October 26, the Jamestown was moored in the harbor at Sitka and experienced the worst storm on record for the region, referred to as the "Sitka Hurricane of 1880." The data recorded in this log helped modern-day scientists identify the weather event.
Instructions
Carefully read through the three logbook transcripts. The transcripts can be found by clicking "View Entire Document" located under the document. Then scroll down and click on "Show/Hide Transcript." Make sure to take notes about changes in weather and how severe the weather seems to be getting. These notes will help you with the discussion that will follow the reading of the transcripts. During the discussion, please use the transcripts as evidence for your claims.
The following essential question will frame the discussion.
Essential Question for Discussion: What can primary sources tell us about historical weather events?
Name:
Class:
Class:
Worksheet
The Sitka Hurricane: What Do the Logbooks Tell Us?
Focusing on Details: Discussion Topic
Examine the documents included in this activity and write your response in the space provided.
Essential Question for Discussion: What can primary sources tell us about historical weather events?
Your Response
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Activity Element
USS Jamestown
Page 1
Conclusion
The Sitka Hurricane: What Do the Logbooks Tell Us?
Focusing on Details: Discussion Topic
What are two things that you learned during the discussion?Your Response
Document
USS Jamestown
10/25/1880 - 10/27/1880
These pages from the logbook (also called a captain's log or deck log) of the USS Jamestown record the weather, positioning, and events for October 25-27, 1880. The ship was near Sitka, Alaska, in the Alaska panhandle, where her duty was to survey the harbor and protect U.S. interests.
On October 26th, the Jamestown was moored in the harbor at Sitka, and experienced the worst storm on record for the region, referred to as the "Sitka Hurricane of 1880." The data recorded in this log helped modern-day scientists identify the weather event.
See the entire logbook documenting May 31, 1880, to December 12, 1880, in the National Archives online catalog.
On October 26th, the Jamestown was moored in the harbor at Sitka, and experienced the worst storm on record for the region, referred to as the "Sitka Hurricane of 1880." The data recorded in this log helped modern-day scientists identify the weather event.
See the entire logbook documenting May 31, 1880, to December 12, 1880, in the National Archives online catalog.
Transcript
Log of the United States Ship Jamestown, 3 Rate, 12 guns, under the command of Henry Glass, Commander, U.S. Navy, morred off Sitka Alaska. Monday. October 25, 1880.[weather table on left]
Record of the Miscellaneous Events of the Day
Commences and until 4 A.M.
Overcast, cloudy, and squally. Last hour misty and rainy. Stiff breeze in moderate squalls from East.
Henry Minett
Ensign.
4 to 8 A.M.
Weather overcast, cloudy, rainy, and squally. Wind in fresh squalls from East and N'd and E'd.
J.O. Nicolson
Ensign
8 A.M. to Meridian.
Weather overcast and cloudy with drizzling rain. Moderate breeze from East. Barometer rising At 9.30 exercised at fire-quarters. Repairing main deck pump.
Frank Guertin
Master
Meridian to 4 P.M.
Weather overcast cloudy and raining steadily throughout entire watch. Wind in moderate squalls from East. first hour, afterwards from South. Barometer rising rapidly.
J.O. Nicolson
Ensign
4 to 8 P.M.
Weather overcast cloudy and rainy with light winds from South and E.S.E. Barometer rising.
Frank Guertin
Master
8 P.M. to Midnight.
Overcast cloudy rainy, and squally. Wind in moderate squalls from East. Barometer falling rapidly
J.O. Nicolson
Ensign
Examined and found to be correct.
D's Last Quarter Dec 21. 16°
Overcast, cloudy, and squally. Last hour misty and rainy. Stiff breeze in moderate squalls from East.
Henry Minett
Ensign.
4 to 8 A.M.
Weather overcast, cloudy, rainy, and squally. Wind in fresh squalls from East and N'd and E'd.
J.O. Nicolson
Ensign
8 A.M. to Meridian.
Weather overcast and cloudy with drizzling rain. Moderate breeze from East. Barometer rising At 9.30 exercised at fire-quarters. Repairing main deck pump.
Frank Guertin
Master
Meridian to 4 P.M.
Weather overcast cloudy and raining steadily throughout entire watch. Wind in moderate squalls from East. first hour, afterwards from South. Barometer rising rapidly.
J.O. Nicolson
Ensign
4 to 8 P.M.
Weather overcast cloudy and rainy with light winds from South and E.S.E. Barometer rising.
Frank Guertin
Master
8 P.M. to Midnight.
Overcast cloudy rainy, and squally. Wind in moderate squalls from East. Barometer falling rapidly
J.O. Nicolson
Ensign
Examined and found to be correct.
D's Last Quarter Dec 21. 16°
F.M. Symonds
Lieutenant Navigator
Log of the United States Ship Jamestown, 3 Rate, 12 guns, under the command of Henry Glass, Commander, U.S. Navy, morred off Sitka Alaska. Tuesday, October 26, 1880.
[weather table on left]
Record of the Miscellaneous Events of the Day
Commences and until 4 A.M.
Weather mostly overcast and cloudy. Wind East, blowing light first hour, at end of second hour commenced blowing a gale in squalls. Clearing up at intervals to E'd. Clouds moving rapidly to N'd and W'd. Barometer falling very rapidly. Pointed yards to the wind.
Frank Guertin
Master
Lieutenant Navigator
Log of the United States Ship Jamestown, 3 Rate, 12 guns, under the command of Henry Glass, Commander, U.S. Navy, morred off Sitka Alaska. Tuesday, October 26, 1880.
[weather table on left]
Record of the Miscellaneous Events of the Day
Commences and until 4 A.M.
Weather mostly overcast and cloudy. Wind East, blowing light first hour, at end of second hour commenced blowing a gale in squalls. Clearing up at intervals to E'd. Clouds moving rapidly to N'd and W'd. Barometer falling very rapidly. Pointed yards to the wind.
Frank Guertin
Master
4 to 8 A.M.
Cloudy and thick. Rainy and squally. Wind in heavy squalls from East. Clouds moving rapidly to N'd and W'd. Moderate surf. Barometer falling rapidly
N.R. Usher. Ensign.
Cloudy and thick. Rainy and squally. Wind in heavy squalls from East. Clouds moving rapidly to N'd and W'd. Moderate surf. Barometer falling rapidly
N.R. Usher. Ensign.
8 A.M. to Meridian.
Weather first hour of watch partly clear. Wind in strong squalls from N.E. to E.N.E. first two hours. At 9.15 wind increased in force to a strong gale, and continued until 11.15 at which time it shifted to S.E. increasing in force to very heavy gale. At 9.40 clouds and heavy mist arose to the N.E. and heavy nimbus clouds passed rapidly to the S.W. At 10. became overcast and rain set in which continued until end of watch. Barometer falling rapidly until 10.40 at which time it commenced to rise and rose rapidly rest of watch. Wind during all the watch in squalls. at short intervals. Starboard mizzen topsail sheet bitt to which chain of quarter anchor is secured, twisted during a heavy squall. Temperature of air suddenly decreased when wind shifted to S.E. Barometer reached its lowest 28.20 at 10.35
J.O. Nicolson Ensign
Weather first hour of watch partly clear. Wind in strong squalls from N.E. to E.N.E. first two hours. At 9.15 wind increased in force to a strong gale, and continued until 11.15 at which time it shifted to S.E. increasing in force to very heavy gale. At 9.40 clouds and heavy mist arose to the N.E. and heavy nimbus clouds passed rapidly to the S.W. At 10. became overcast and rain set in which continued until end of watch. Barometer falling rapidly until 10.40 at which time it commenced to rise and rose rapidly rest of watch. Wind during all the watch in squalls. at short intervals. Starboard mizzen topsail sheet bitt to which chain of quarter anchor is secured, twisted during a heavy squall. Temperature of air suddenly decreased when wind shifted to S.E. Barometer reached its lowest 28.20 at 10.35
J.O. Nicolson Ensign
Meridian to 4 P.M.
Overcast. Wind variable in force and direction. Heavy squalls at increasing intervals, squalls decreasing in force. Between 12. and 2. several squalls of snow and hail. Heavy nimbus clouds and low lying scud driving rapidly to N'd and W'd. Heavy sea and surf. At 1.30 P.M. a shock of earthquake lasting about 20 seconds occurred, after which temperature was raised slightly. Barometer rising.
N.R. Usher. Ensign.
Overcast. Wind variable in force and direction. Heavy squalls at increasing intervals, squalls decreasing in force. Between 12. and 2. several squalls of snow and hail. Heavy nimbus clouds and low lying scud driving rapidly to N'd and W'd. Heavy sea and surf. At 1.30 P.M. a shock of earthquake lasting about 20 seconds occurred, after which temperature was raised slightly. Barometer rising.
N.R. Usher. Ensign.
4 to 8 P.M.
Overcast and squally. Wind in strong squalls at intervals varying in direction from E.S.E. to W.S.W. accompanied with rain, hail, and snow. Bright flashes of lightning followed by thunder last two hours of watch. Heavy sea and breaking over shoals and around islands. Barometer rising steadily and rapidly.
J.O. Nicolson
Ensign
8 P.M. to Midnight
Overcast greater part of watch, occasional glimpses of clear sky. Moderate squalls of wind, rain, hail, and snow variable in direction. Thunder and lightning at intervals during first half of watch. Moderating towards end of watch. Barometer rising.
N.R. Usher.
Ensign.
Log of the United States Ship Jamestown, 3 Rate, 12 guns, under the command of Henry Glass, Commander, U.S. Navy, morred off Sitka Alaska. Wednesday, October 27, 1880.
[weather table on left]
Record of the Miscellaneous Events of the Day
Commences and until 4 A.M.
Overcast and squally. Wind in strong squalls at intervals varying in direction from E.S.E. to W.S.W. accompanied with rain, hail, and snow. Bright flashes of lightning followed by thunder last two hours of watch. Heavy sea and breaking over shoals and around islands. Barometer rising steadily and rapidly.
J.O. Nicolson
Ensign
8 P.M. to Midnight
Overcast greater part of watch, occasional glimpses of clear sky. Moderate squalls of wind, rain, hail, and snow variable in direction. Thunder and lightning at intervals during first half of watch. Moderating towards end of watch. Barometer rising.
N.R. Usher.
Ensign.
Examined and found to be correct.
D's Last Quarter Dec 21. 16°
D's Last Quarter Dec 21. 16°
F.M. Symonds
Lieutenant Navigator
Lieutenant Navigator
Log of the United States Ship Jamestown, 3 Rate, 12 guns, under the command of Henry Glass, Commander, U.S. Navy, morred off Sitka Alaska. Wednesday, October 27, 1880.
[weather table on left]
Record of the Miscellaneous Events of the Day
Commences and until 4 A.M.
Cloudy and squally. Wind in light squalls varying in direction from E.N.E. to W.S.W. Raining, snowing, and hailing at intervals. Surf breaking heavily around islands. Barometer rising slightly.
J.O. Nicolson Ensign
4 to 8 A.M.
Overcast, cloudy, and squally. Snowing at intervals throughout watch. Blowing in light squalls from E'd third hour, wind variable in force and direction rest of watch. Barometer rising slowly. Thick to seaward with heavy surf on islands.
J.C. Gillmore.
Ensign.
8 AM. to Meridian
Overcast greater part of watch. Snowing at intervals. Wind light from N'd and E'd. Barometer rising. Brought to on starboard chain and made preparations for heaving in. Sea outside moderating. Heavy surf on outer islands. Received in Paymaster's Department for use of crew 59 pounds fresh bread.
N.R. Usher. Ensign.
Meridian to 4 P.M.
Overcast and squally with passing showers of hail and snow throughout watch. Wind in moderate squalls from S.E. Barometer rising. Heavy surf on outside islands. Carpenter's gang engaged making doors for forward deck house. Moored buoy in position at watering place.
J.C. Gillmore,
Ensign.
4 to 8 P.M.
Cloudy. Snowing and hailing at intervals during watch. Wind light from E'd. Barometer steady.
N.R. Usher Ensign.
8 P.M. to Midnight.
Cloudy. Light breeze variable in direction. Barometer steady last two hours of watch. At 9.05 a light shock of earthquake lasting 12 seconds occurred. Temperature of water at 11.30 - 44°F. J.C.
Gillmore
Ensign.
J.O. Nicolson Ensign
4 to 8 A.M.
Overcast, cloudy, and squally. Snowing at intervals throughout watch. Blowing in light squalls from E'd third hour, wind variable in force and direction rest of watch. Barometer rising slowly. Thick to seaward with heavy surf on islands.
J.C. Gillmore.
Ensign.
8 AM. to Meridian
Overcast greater part of watch. Snowing at intervals. Wind light from N'd and E'd. Barometer rising. Brought to on starboard chain and made preparations for heaving in. Sea outside moderating. Heavy surf on outer islands. Received in Paymaster's Department for use of crew 59 pounds fresh bread.
N.R. Usher. Ensign.
Meridian to 4 P.M.
Overcast and squally with passing showers of hail and snow throughout watch. Wind in moderate squalls from S.E. Barometer rising. Heavy surf on outside islands. Carpenter's gang engaged making doors for forward deck house. Moored buoy in position at watering place.
J.C. Gillmore,
Ensign.
4 to 8 P.M.
Cloudy. Snowing and hailing at intervals during watch. Wind light from E'd. Barometer steady.
N.R. Usher Ensign.
8 P.M. to Midnight.
Cloudy. Light breeze variable in direction. Barometer steady last two hours of watch. At 9.05 a light shock of earthquake lasting 12 seconds occurred. Temperature of water at 11.30 - 44°F. J.C.
Gillmore
Ensign.
Examined and found to be correct.
D's Last Quarter Dec 21. 16°
D's Last Quarter Dec 21. 16°
F.M. Symonds
Lieutenant Navigator
Lieutenant Navigator
This primary source comes from the Records of the Bureau of Naval Personnel.
National Archives Identifier: 7284470
Full Citation: USS Jamestown; 10/25/1880 - 10/27/1880; Logbooks of U.S. Navy Ships, ca. 1801 - 1940; Records of the Bureau of Naval Personnel, ; National Archives Building, Washington, DC. [Online Version, https://www.docsteach.org/documents/document/uss-jamestown-sitka, May 2, 2024]USS Jamestown
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USS Jamestown
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