“On Monday last...”

Date

12-26-1811

Newspaper

the Times

Page and Column

Page 3, Column 1

Newspaper Location

Charleston, South Carolina

Serial Number

102

Abstract

Felt re[port from the Augusta Herald theorizing on the origin of the earthquake. the account includes a report from 10 miles west of Augusta that relates similar effects as were felt there. Another report is from wagon drivers five miles from town. Effects were violent shaking of the houses with bushes and trees being agitated violently also. Very extensive account.

Transcript

AUGUSTA, (C.O.) DEC. 19. On Monday last, at about half past two o'clock in the morning, a severe shock of an Earthquake was felt in this place, which continued, by the best account we have been able to obtain, between one and two minutes-some persons think much longer-but considering the awful nature of the occurrence, and the hour of it, we are aware that its duration could not be accurately determined, without noticing its commencement and termination by a correct time piece. It was preceded by a hollow rumbling noise like distant thunder, or as some describe it, like the burning out of a chimney. A tremulous motion of the earth followed, which increased in violence, off the agitation of the dwelling homes became considerably alarming. The motion of the dwelling house of the Editor of this paper, was somewhat like the rocking of a cradle-the family were awoke by it, and were equally surprized and alarmed.-Similar sensations and effects were produced in many other families in town, and in some instances persons supposed their chimneys were falling, and in others they were apprehensive for the safety of their dwellings. So severe a shock of an earthquake we believe was never before experienced here, or as far as we know in the United States. Its course could not be determined we believe-from our own sensations we thought the house rocked from north to south, and that the east and west ends only experienced a tremulous motions. Some persons camping with their wagons four or five miles from town, state that they were alarmed at the motion of the earth, and that the trees and bushes were violently agitated thereby. There was no wind during the concussion-the atmosphere was somewhat hazy, moist and vapourish. About three quarters of an hour after the first shock subsided, a second but much slighter one was felt, and at about fifteen minutes before 8 in the morning a third one occurred. A friend living about ten miles westward of this town informs us that he was alarmed between the hours of two and three on Monday morning, by a tremendous noise, resembling the falling of heavy bodies on the roof of his house and falling to the ground, and that he immediately discovered his bed to be in great agitation, and that the whole house was shook, and the windows rattled as if operated upon by a violent wind. We have not heard how far it extended in other directions. To the dread Being only, at whose presence the earth embleth, and before whom the foundations also of the hills are moved, are the causes of these wonderful effects known. But how does the boasted courage of man fail and his heart sink within him, when he finds the earth on which he stands giving way, and "reacting to and fro like a drunken man." These events, proceed not from accidental causes, and though the philosopher may attempt by the feeble light of human reason, and through the wandering mazes of scientific research to develop their origin, yet the considerate and reflecting mind will trace them to their true source, and will acknowledge them to be produced by the will of him who weights the hills in scales and the mountains in a balance, and who hath said, that he would "shake the heavens and the earth, and the sea and the dry land." -Herald.

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