How do we have data on speed and tracks of hurricanes in the 1800s?

Question

I see Milton getting compared to hurricanes that formed in the Gulf of Mexico and hit the Tampa Bay area as far back as 1854. What type of meteorological data did they have back then?

In: Planetary Science

Answer 1

There were a lot more ships on the ocean in the 1800s. They carried a lot less, but there were more of them. Those that survived a hurricane (always unexpected at that time) would have been able to report where they were when it hit.