[note 1] The storm likely originated from an extra-tropical low in the open Atlantic, some time in mid-December.

It continued into the Lesser Antilles as a hurricane, to then strike modern day Venezuela on the 22nd.

[9] The hurricane of unknown origins was first noted near the Lesser Antilles on December 13, where winds began increasing on several islands.

[10][12] This suggest that the storm was unusually large in size; potentially the largest within the Caribbean Sea.

It then continued in that general direction until its landfall slightly west of La Guaira, Venezuela.

[17][note 3] The weather from the 16th to the 20th had a most alarming appearance, being attended with all the indications of a hurricane, except the season of the year.

[15] In St. Vincent, the winds blew strongest after daylight in which 3 small vessels were driven ashore Kingstown.

Weather conditions began to deteriorate around 11 pm on the 20th, and blew from the north during the morning hours.

Around this time, Captain Biddle of USS Congress managed to escape west of the port with the loss of their anchors, cables, and 4 men.

[21] By 10 pm that day, every ship was lost; with the exception of USS Congress that escaped before landfall.