<P> The Americans had already burned much of the historic Washington Navy Yard, founded by Thomas Jefferson, to prevent capture of stores and ammunition, as well as the 44 - gun frigate USS Columbia and the 22 gun USS Argus both new vessels nearing completion . The Navy Yard's Latrobe Gate, Quarters A, and Quarters B were the only buildings to escape destruction . Also spared were the Marine Barracks and Commandant's House, although several private properties were damaged or destroyed . </P> <P> In the afternoon of August 25, General Ross sent two hundred men to secure a fort on Greenleaf's Point . The fort, later known as Fort McNair, had already been destroyed by the Americans, but 150 barrels of gunpowder remained . While the British were trying to destroy it by dropping the barrels into a well, the powder ignited . As many as thirty men were killed in the explosion, and many others were maimed . </P> <P> Less than a day after the attack began, a sudden, very heavy thunderstorm--possibly a hurricane--put out the fires . It also spun off a tornado that passed through the center of the capital, setting down on Constitution Avenue and lifting two cannons before dropping them several yards away and killing British troops and American civilians alike . Following the storm, the British troops returned to their ships, many of which were badly damaged . There is some debate regarding the effect of this storm on the occupation . While some assert that the storm forced their retreat, it seems likely from their destructive and arsonous actions before the storm, and their written orders from Cochrane to "destroy and lay waste", that their intention was merely to raze the city, rather than occupy it for an extended period . Whatever the case, the British occupation of Washington lasted only about 26 hours . Despite this, the "Storm that saved Washington", as it became known, did the opposite according to some . The rains sizzled and cracked the already charred walls of the White House and ripped away at structures the British had no plans to destroy (such as the Patent Office). The storm may have exacerbated an already dire situation for Washington DC . </P> <P> An encounter was noted between Sir George Cockburn 10th Baronet and a female resident of Washington . "Dear God! Is this the weather to which you are accustomed to in this infernal country?" enquired the Admiral . "This is a special interposition of Providence to drive our enemies from our city", the woman allegedly called out to Cockburn . "Not so, Madam", Cockburn retorted . "It is rather to aid your enemies in the destruction of your city", before riding off on horseback . Yet, the British left right after the storm completely unopposed by any American military forces . </P>

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