those intensity numbers i believe were recorded at blue hill observatory. the storm was probably very asymmetric when it hit, owing to the fact that it was becoming extratropical, and that it's terminal track hooked cyclonically westward as it neared canada. waters off new england are well below what would be needed to sustain a hurricane under normal circumstances.. what kept the storm at it's high intenstiy was undoubtedly baroclinic forcing. every so often we get to see a recurving storm deepen a whole hell of a lot as it begins associating with a mid-latitude trough.
the 38 storm was also likely a once in 100-300 year event for new england as a whole.
HF 2206z25august