And Ocean City Inlet was formed...
Ninety years ago, in August 1933, a powerful hurricane reshaped the coastline of Maryland, creating the Ocean City Inlet, a defining feature of the region that transformed Ocean City into a thriving coastal destination. This natural phenomenon, born from the chaos of a historic storm, not only altered the geography but also set the stage for economic and cultural growth in the area.
Before 1933, Ocean City was a narrow barrier island, part of a continuous stretch of land along the Atlantic coast. The island was separated from the mainland by a shallow sinepaugh, a narrow waterway that limited direct ocean access.
Fishing and small-scale tourism were the primary economic drivers, but the lack of a deep-water inlet restricted larger maritime activities. The landscape was vulnerable to the whims of nature, and in late August 1933, nature delivered a defining blow.
The Chesapeake-Potomac Hurricane, a Category 2 storm, struck the Mid-Atlantic with relentless force. With wind speeds exceeding 100 mph and storm surges reaching up to eight feet, the hurricane battered the coast, flooding low-lying areas and eroding beaches.
In Ocean City, the storm’s surge breached the narrow barrier island, carving a new channel between the Atlantic Ocean and the Isle of Wight Bay (now part of the larger Assawoman Bay system). This breach, initially a temporary scar, became the Ocean City Inlet, a permanent feature that fundamentally changed the region.
The inlet’s formation was a product of the storm’s unique conditions. The hurricane’s powerful winds and high tides funneled water across the low-lying sand dunes, overwhelming the fragile barrier.
As the storm surge retreated, it dragged sand and sediment into the ocean, leaving behind a 50-foot-wide channel. Local accounts from the time describe the dramatic transformation, with fishermen and residents witnessing the ocean and bay waters merging overnight.
The inlet’s depth, initially shallow, was later enhanced through dredging to support navigation, but its origin was undeniably the hurricane’s raw power.
The creation of the inlet had immediate and long-term impacts. In the short term, the storm caused significant damage, destroying homes, boardwalks, and businesses. However, the inlet soon proved to be a boon. It provided a direct route for commercial and recreational vessels, boosting the fishing industry and attracting larger boats to the area.
The inlet also stabilized the coastline by allowing tidal flows to regulate sediment movement, reducing erosion in some areas. By the 1940s, Ocean City began to capitalize on its new geography, with the inlet becoming a hub for sport fishing and tourism.
Over the past 90 years, the Ocean City Inlet has become a cornerstone of the town’s identity. It supports a vibrant marina, hosts fishing tournaments, and draws millions of visitors annually.
The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers maintains the inlet through regular dredging to ensure safe passage, a testament to its economic importance. The inlet also created Assateague Island, splitting the original barrier island and forming a new national seashore known for its wild horses and pristine beaches.
The 1933 hurricane, though destructive, gave Ocean City a gift that reshaped its future. The inlet stands as a reminder of nature’s power to both destroy and create, leaving a legacy that continues to define this coastal gem 90 years later.
Nautical Mile Magazine
