severe squall or possible tornado, accompanied by frequent thunder and lightning, about to the northwest of the storm's estimated track. This incident may have been related to the hurricane if it were exceptionally large, and represents the only extant observation of the storm that modern reanalysis efforts were able to uncover. Tropical Storm Seven The final documented system of 1896 formed over the far southern Windward Islands on November 27. As the storm slowly tracked northward, torrential rainfall and strong winds overspread Trinidad, Saint Vincent, and Barbados. Several days of rainfall over Montserrat culminated in a "cloud burst" late on November 28, with improving conditions reported by the next morning. The storm remained below hurricane intensity and was last noted on November 29, just over northeast of Anguilla. In the affected islands, heavy precipitation gave rise to flash flooding along mountain streams and in valleys, destroying crops and property. Cotton, coffee, and sugar plantations sustained significant damage. On Montserrat, one plantation recorded at least of rain in 21 hours, though the rain gauge overflowed between each of the three observations, preventing an accurate total from being obtained. It was speculated that several feet of rain may have locally fallen on certain hillsides, as evidenced by landslides that swept away trees, boulders, and large volumes of earth. Thirty-one people drowned in Plymouth after their homes were swept into the sea. Roadways were washed out in many places and the torrents reportedly washed out all but one bridge on the island. In total, 46 people drowned in the floods, while many others were left homeless. Secretary of State for the Colonies Joseph Chamberlain estimated monetary damage at £10,000 ($49,000). The destruction was compounded by a series of earthquakes that began during the storm's passage. A ship called the ship Grecian, bound from Trinidad to London, England, grounded out on a rocky section of Montserrat's coastline. Twenty-nine out of the 30 crew members died in the wreck; the sole survivor was the first mate, who reached solid ground by clutching to a piece of floating debris, and walking inland several miles. See also List of tropical cyclones Atlantic hurricane season References Specific Works cited