Robert Carter Collection of Articles Relating to the Hurricane of 1938
Vault A45, Carter, Unit 2
Extent: 1 container (.25 linear ft.).
Biography: Robert L. Carter was born June 28, 1922 in Concord, Massachusetts to Robert W. and Winifred French Carter. Lifelong resident of Concord, with the exception of three years, three months, and two days spent serving in the Navy during World War II.
History: On September 21, 1938 a hurricane hit New England, the worst in the region’s history. The storm destroyed over 18,000 buildings, left 600 people dead, and 2000 injured. The worst damage being caused by the tidal surge along the coastline.
Scope and Content: This collection consists of copies of newspaper articles from Worcester Telegram Evening Gazette, The Boston Herald and one article of unknown source.
From the Worcester Telegram and Gazette is a 40 page magazine describing the hurricane and its aftermath in Worcester County. “Hurricane and Flood Pictures,” Worcester Telegram – Evening Gazette, September 24, 1938.
Articles from the Boston Herald range from September 23, 1938 to September 24, 1948 with three pages undated. The articles explain the overall damage cause by the storm in the Boston area as well as a few specific stories of individual experiences in the storm. One story describes the wives of fishermen gathering at the pier waiting to find out what happened to six missing boats.
The last article of unknown origin is entitled “Entire Families Perish in Homes as Gale and Flood Hit Rhode Island.”
Source of Acquisition: Items donated by Robert Carter in September 2001.
Processed by: Reina Uhler; finding aid completed November 10, 2011.
c2011 Concord Free Public Library, Concord, Mass.
Not to be reproduced in any form without permission of the Curator of the William Munroe Special Collections, Concord Free Public Library.
Mounted 16 Nov. 2011. rcwh.