 A tropical storm developed on October 16 about 155 miles ( 250 km ) east of Cape Canaveral , Florida . It tracked northeastward , gradually strengthening to attain peak winds of 70 mph ( 110 km / h ) early on October 17 . On October 18 , the storm turned more to the north @-@ northeast as its forward motion increased . Gradually weakening , the storm dissipated late on October 19 after making landfall on Rhode Island . 
