“Earthquakes”

Date

3-3-1812

Newspaper

Lexington American Statesman

Page and Column

Page 3, Column 1-2

Newspaper Location

Lexington, Kentucky

Serial Number

204

Abstract

Very long article quoting from the New York Evening Post about the earthquakes at Big Prairie. The account notes in detail the destructive effects of the quake. End of the article describes destruction in the New Madrid area. The rise and fall of land near New Madrid is described. In addition the loss of life and boats in the area.

Transcript

EARTHQUAKES. We have seen a letter, directed to the Editor of the New-York Evening Post, dated 25th December, giving a more circumstantial detail of the effects of the Earthquake of the sixteenth December, than any communication we have yet seen. The letter was written at Big Prarie, on the Mississippi about 761 miles from New-Orleans, by a gentleman who was proceeding on his voyage from Pittsburg to New-Orleans.-He states that the night on which the first shock was felt, was dark and cloudy, not a star was to be seen, and there was presented every indication of a heavy rain. The sky had been constantly overcast for several days previous, and the weather was unusually thick and hazy. The violent agitation of the boat by which they were awoke and alarmed, was accompanied by a noise similar to that produced by a vessel's running over a sand bar. The shocks continued for 2 minutes, and the tremulous motion was communicated to the leaves on the surface of the earth. Trees on shore were snapped off and precipitated into the river, whilst the adjoining forests shook like rushes, and their branches clattered amongst each other like the tops of cane in a mighty wind. There was a constant crashing of timber, and a great noise was heard, resembling the explosion of artillery. The banks of the river, in some places with all their growth, had fallen in to a considerable extent, and were prodigiously cracked. Wherever the veins of the earthquake ran, was a volcanic discharge of conbustible matter to a very great height-a rumbling was heard below-the bed of the river was excessively agitated, and the water exhibited a turbid and boiling appearance. Large trees were thrown up from the bottom of the river in every possible direction, and some elevated into the air. Water spouts were numerous, some of which seemed almost to reach the heavens. One of formed like a tunnel, out of which had issued, quantities of coal, some pieces weighing from 13 to 20 pounds, were discharged 160 paces. These funnels were of various dimensions, but one is said to have been 16 feet deep, and 63 feet in circumference. The earth and river thus torn with furious convulsions opened in large trenches, which instantaneously closed again. Through innumerable vents, sulphureous streams gushed from the bowels of the earth, leaving vast and almost unfathomable caverns. Large quantities of stone coal appears also to have been thrown up through those alarming gaps, which were presented on the surface of the earth. Several islands have been annihilated, and the whole coast exhibits nought but a scene of devastation and ruin. Thousands of acres of land, and whole cane breaks are stated to have been cleft from the main shore, tumbled into the water, and left their growth waving above the surface. The ruin is most extensive on the right side of the river in descending. At Fort Pickering, the block house, which is almost a solid mass of hewn timber, trembled like an aspen leaf. A little below Bayou river the ruin begins extensive and general. At Long Reach, there is one continued forest of roots and trees ejected from the bed of the river. At Flour island, the impediments are much increased. At Devil's Race Ground, and Devil's Elbow, the river is almost impassaible. These serious obstructions demand the utmost prudence and caution from navigators in future; as it is doubtful in what direction the currents will run, or what changes may be effected by sand bars thrown up in the bed of the river. Four boats have been lost and many persons have been wrecked, no doubt, or buried under the falling banks. In noticing the shocks on the 23d December, the writer of the above letter states, that nothing could exceed the alarm of the water fowls-They were noisy, and flew confusedly in every possible direction. The Indians on the river were much terrified, and all nature seemed to sympathize with the commotion which agitated the earth. The sun rarely shone,--the sky was clouded, and a dreary darkness brooded over the whole face of creation. The stars were encircled with a pale light, and the comet appeared hazy and dim. The weather was constantly changing from oppressive heat to severe cold; and during many of the shocks some rain fell. Accounts from New-Madrid since the last shock, inform, that much of the land about said place was under water-the buildings are much damaged, and the few inhabitants that remained, had encamped out in the open air. The ground on which the town stood is supposed to have sunk 15 feet, but rose again about ten feet, soon after the first shock. Information has been received of the loss of 50 boats, and a number of lives; and the land on which Little Prarie stood, is now 16 feet under water-Island No. 8 has entirely sunk; and a large barge with 500 barrels of flour, was dashed to pieces and entirely lost. Both above and below New Madrid, the Mississippi is said to present falls similar to those in the Ohio. A bar of alarming extent has been formed in the main channel of the river, in one place, composed of stone coal, sand and logs. In consequence of these revolutions in the bed of the river, a back current was formed, and the water rose about 12 feet in 15 minutes. At New Madrid it suddenly rose 6 feet and gradually subsided. The cables of vessels were broken, and they were carried a considerable distance up stream. One person is said to have been carried about a mile through the timber into a Bayou. The Earth, in several places, about New-Madrid spewed up a substance resembling stone coal, examining the grain of wood, but without any smell.

Link to Full Text

Share

 
COinS