“the late shocks of an Earthquake”
Date
1-7-1812
Newspaper
Lexington Kentucky Gazette
Page and Column
Page 3, Column 1
Newspaper Location
Lexington, Kentucky
Serial Number
224
Abstract
Felt report from Columbia, South Carolina from December 17, 1811 describing the effect of the December 16, 1811 earthquake. Quake was described as being a tremendous shock. Time it was felt was at around 3:00 am local time. the quake awakened inhabitants who ran out of the their houses naked. Birds were disturbed and gave cries of warning. The local college was damaged with cracked walls and plaster shattered.
Transcript
The late shocks of an EARTHQUAKE were felt by the inhabitants of every part of the continent, that we have yet heard from. The most probable conjecture seems to be, that the cause originated in the West Indies. The following is an extract of a letter from a gentleman in South Carolina, to the editor of this paper, dated "Columbia, December 17th, 1811. "On Sunday night last, about 3 o'clock, the inhabitants of this place experienced the most tremendous shock of an earthquake ever felt on the continent. They were awakened by the tottering of the beds, and the most of them left their houses naked. The fowls were shook from the roosts, and the whole feathered tribe gave the alarm of approaching danger. The students in the college, in number about 100, were very much alarmed-the building shook to its foundation, and from its great height, was expected to fall, the walls being much cracked, and the plaistering shattered to pieces on the inside. Several shocks were felt throughout the day, but were not so violent as the two first."
Recommended Citation
"“the late shocks of an Earthquake”" (1812). New Madrid Compendium Far-Field Database. 217.
https://digitalcommons.memphis.edu/cas-ceri-new-madrid-compendium/217
