Journey Through Time 18. England’s Hurricane: 10,000 Dead (Ep 1)
7 snips
Jul 9, 2025 Discover the chilling tale of the Great Storm of 1703, one of England’s deadliest natural disasters, claiming 10,000 lives. Explore how Daniel Defoe documented this catastrophe and shifted the landscape of journalism. Learn why this horrific storm faded from collective memory despite its widespread destruction. The story delves into the powerful winds, the dramatic impact on Bristol, and the fateful decisions of lighthouse creator Henry Winstanley as he faced the tempestuous sea.
AI Snips
Chapters
Books
Transcript
Episode notes
The Forgotten Great Storm
- The Great Storm of 1703 was as devastating as major wars, killing at least 10,000 people, yet it is largely forgotten today.
- Unlike the Great Plague and Great Fire, it was not embedded in Britain's collective memory despite its scale.
Defoe's Crowdsourcing
- Daniel Defoe crowdsourced stories about the Great Storm by asking people to send their accounts, promising to publish them with their names.
- This early form of crowdsourced journalism helped preserve personal experiences from the disaster.
Conditions Amplified Disaster
- The storm was a 'perfect storm' with coinciding factors like unprecedented high tides and a new moon causing near total darkness.
- Many ships were trapped or concentrated in ports, increasing damage and casualties when the storm hit.
