The Great Saxby Gale featuring John "Al" Churchill

The Great Saxby Gale wreaked more havoc on coastal Maine communities than any other natural disaster on record. Landing in 1869, the gale must surely have had the sustained winds of a category 1 hurricane based on the damage inflicted. Its story also provides a perspective on weather forecasting in the days before barometers, weather balloons, radar and satellites. Even more remarkable, the Saxby Gale was predicted by Lt. Stephen Saxby of London, England on Christmas Day 1868, nearly 9 months before it struck Downeast with such force that Downeasters were a very long time recovering from the blow.

Hear about the Great Saxby Gale from John "Al" Churchill, president of the St. Croix Historical Society, in this special presentation. Admission by donation.