“Earthquakes”
Date
4-24-1812
Newspaper
Norfolk Ledger
Page and Column
Page 2, Column 4
Newspaper Location
Norfolk, Virginia
Serial Number
1085
Abstract
Report on the March 26, 1812 earthquake at Laguria in the Caribbean. Source was a Captain Betts.
Transcript
BALTIMORE, April 21. EARTHQUAKES. By capt. Betts, arrived yesterday from Laguira, we learn, that on the 26th of March, at 4 o'clock P. M. there was a very severe shock of an earthquake, which destroyed nearly the whole of the city of Caraccas, and all the town of Laguira, with all the neighboring villages. About 40,000 people were buried in the ruins; 25000 in Laguira; 1 American alone perished, a Mr. Crowell of New York. Four shocks were heard and felt on the night following, not heavy enough to do any damage. On the 27th ult. the people that were living were employed in digging the dead from under the ruins, putting them in large lighters, carrying them outside the shipping and burying them in the sea. On the 28th, the sea was so rough as to prevent them taking the dead off-they then built a large fire near the wharf, and commenced burning them, and burnt about 40 at a time in one fire. On the 29th, the stench had become so bad, they quit digging any more dead from under the ruins. All the inhabitants that were living, pitched their tents on the plains of Magitere. On the 4th of April, there was a very heavy shock that made the vessels tremble as if they had been on a reef of trucks in a heavy sea, and from on board the Independence we could see the mountains move like a ship in a heavy sea, and large pieces rolling off them. At half past five the Independence sailed, [unreadable] that could not ascertain what damage had been done. C. H. B.
Recommended Citation
"“Earthquakes”" (1812). New Madrid Compendium Far-Field Database. 1052.
https://digitalcommons.memphis.edu/cas-ceri-new-madrid-compendium/1052
