The calamity of 1816-1817 is an interesting case history of the far reaching effects of a volcanic eruption. The chain of events began in 1815 with the eruption of Mount Tambora in the E Indies. The winter of 1816 extended into spring with frost in the middle of May in New England. Cold weather and scattered frost occurred in New England on June 6-11, July 9, August 21 and 30. The greatest damage was to summer crops such as corn and hay. The prices of many crops increased from 1816 until the harvest of crops in the spring- summer of 1817. Due to the shortage of forage, hogs and cattle were sold during the summer-fall of 1816, causing a decline in meat prices. Emigration increased from Vermont and Maine. Conditions were severe in many parts of western Europe. The disruptions of the Napoleonic Wars had caused some decline in farming and industry, especially in France. The poor crops of 1816 caused food shortages in France and Switzerland. by early 1817 there was famine in some cities among the poor. Political and economic difficulties continued until the harvest of 1817 brought significant relief. The weather of 1816 was one reason for low crop yields in Bengal and an outbreak of cholera. -Forrest McElhoe Jr
