Newport, RI

Hi Greg,

I was watching the History Channel tonight and latter decided to look up Carol on the internet. That is how I found your site. I was attending the US Navy Storekeeper School at Newport when hurricane Carol hit.

We were in a classroom when I noticed a parked car rocking and rolling. The next thing I remember was a whole roof flying by. I than observed a barge that had broken loose speeding sideways across the bay that appeared to be completely unattended. From the window I could see a sailor stranded on a foot bridge that connected our class rooms and barracks to the base. Some fellow sailors were trying to rescue him.

We were ordered out of the class room to our barracks. There was no where else to go as we were cut off. Making our way to the barracks is a blur. I can remember electric wire's whipping and arching. I tried to lay down in my bunk (second floor) but I was unnerved by the bunk moving across the floor, caused by the barracks shaking from the wind. The waves were breaking just short of our doorstep.

When things calmed down we found out that several of the parked cars in the barrack's parking lot were taken out to sea and never seen again. As I recall Marshall Law was declared in Newport and we were confined to our barracks. I don't think we could have gone any where because of the debris and fallen tree's.

I do remember that the water supply was interrupted for a couple of days. I am thankful to this day for the strength of those barracks that was our shelter. I never found out if we lost any Navy Personnel, but we were aware of the Civilians that lost their lives to Carol. I traveled many miles at sea after that, and encountered many storms. Nothing I have witnessed in my life time can compare to the beating those great people of Newport took from hurricane Carol that one day in 1954. The pictures on your site brought back many memories.

Thank you,