1782 Central Atlantic hurricane

The Central Atlantic hurricane of 1782 was a hurricane that hit the merchant fleet under British Admiral Thomas Graves in the Grand Banks of Newfoundland in September 1782. It is believed to have killed some 3,500 people.

Impact
The fleet was en route from Jamaica to England by way of Newfoundland. On 17 September 1782, the fleet was caught in a violent storm off the banks of Newfoundland. The French prizes Ville de Paris, Glorieux and Hector foundered, as did HMS Centaur. HMS Ramillies (1763) had to be abandoned, and was burnt. Ardent and Caton were forced to leave the fleet and make for a safe anchorage, Ardent returning to Jamaica and Caton making for Halifax in company with Pallas. Of the warships in the fleet, only Canada and Jason survived to reach England. A number of merchant vessels, including Dutton, British Queen, Withywood, Rodney, Ann, Minerva, and  Mentor, also foundered. Altogether around 3,500 people died from the various ships.