Early in the nineteenth century the site of Galveston was a favorite resort for pirates, who established themselves here under the leader ship of the notorious Jean Lafitte (q.v.). They were driven from the locality in 1820, but soon reestablished themselves, and in 1827 were again driven away by the United States authorities. A permanent settlement was made in 1837, and two years later the first charter of incorporation was obtained. On October 8, 1862, during the Civil War, a Federal force took possession with out opposition; but on January 1, 1863, the Confederates under Magruder captured the city and secured 350 prisoners. In November, 1885, there was a destructive fire, and on September 8, 1900, occurred the most terrible disaster result ing from purely natural causes in the history 'of the North American continent. A West Indian hurricane, lasting eighteen hours—the wind veer ing in every direction and reaching a. maxi mum velocity estimated at 135 miles an hour— swept over the city, and the streets were flooded to a maximum depth of • 16 feet above mean low tide. Within a period of five hours, but chiefly between 7 and 9 o'clock P.M., 6000
lives were lost, and property, including 7000 buildings, valued at $18,000,000, was destroyed. Help poured in from all parts of the coun try, and much of the suffering was thus alleviated, though a large part of the city had been totally destroyed. The municipal gov ernment was placed in the hands of five commis sioners, two elected and the others appointed by the State Governor, and the work practically of creating a new city was begun, with the present results as detailed above. During 1901 nearly $4,000,000 was expended for permanent improvements. A committee of eminent engi neers in 1901 made plans and specifications for a, breakwater, estimating the cost of a sea-wall at $1,250,000, and attendant filling in of the city to a commensurate grade at $2,250,000. In the same year the city received from the Federal Government an appropriation of about $1,000,000, 90 per cent. of which went for re construction of the fortifications. Other im provements projected for the immediate future are the repair of the jetties and the widening and deepening of the channel.