USS De Soto-- Part 13: Hit By a Tsunami

In 1867, the De Soto was part of a squadron including the USS Susquehanna and USS Monongahela as part of Secretary of State William H. Seward's plan to buy the Danish West Indies.

She arrived at St. Thomas, Virgin Islands on November 17, 1867.  The next day, a magnitude 7.5 earthquake struck and the resulting tsunami swept the De Soto from its moorings and onto a wharf.  Fortunately, the next wave lifted the ship off and sent her to deeper water.

However, the bottom was damaged severely and leaking badly.  The next two days were spent repairing the damage and pumping water.

The Monongahela was tossed completely ashore, but with a lot of work, she was able to get back in the water the following year.

--Old B-Runner