“This morning two distinct shocks of an Earthquake....”
Date
12-26-1811
Newspaper
The Times
Newspaper Location
Charleston, South Carolina
Serial Number
105
Abstract
Felt report from Norfolk, Virginia for the December 16, 1811 earthquake. First shock was felt at about 3 o'clock. Shaking was like a strong man shaking the bedposts. Another effect was the spilling of a pipe(large barrel) of wine in a warehouse. The report was widely reprinted. Date of report was December 16, 1811.
Transcript
NORFOLK, DEC. 16. This morning two distinct shocks of an Earthquake were felt in this place: The first (and according to most accounts) the most violent, was about 3 o'clock. It was so severe as to awaken a number of persons out of their sleep. The shock at two very short intervals might have continued about a minute. The shaking of the beds is described, as if a strong man had taken hold on the posts; and shook them with all the violence in his power. Several clocks were stopped. The houses were shaken with great violence. Again, about 8 o'clock, another shock was felt, by a greater number of persons, as many had risen; this was also very violent. The most sensible effect produced by this, that we have yet learned, was, that of throwing a pipe of wine off the skids, in a warehouse in Commerce-street. Before our next, we expect to obtain some further particulars respecting this (in our climate) unusual convulsion of Nature.
Recommended Citation
"“This morning two distinct shocks of an Earthquake....”" (1811). New Madrid Compendium Far-Field Database. 103.
https://digitalcommons.memphis.edu/cas-ceri-new-madrid-compendium/103
