“Meteorological Observations at Charleston, (S. C.) for December 1811”
Date
1-8-1812
Newspaper
Charleston Courier
Page and Column
Page 3, Column 2
Newspaper Location
Charleston, South Carolina
Serial Number
308
Abstract
Weather report for December 1811 that catalogs the New Madrid earthquakes felt at Charleston, South Carolina
Transcript
Meterological Observations, at Charleston, (S.C.) FOR DECEMBER, 1811 Thermometer, Highest 64 Lowest 31 Mean 50 Range 33 Barometer 30, 0, to 30, 56 Range 56 Hygrometer, Damp 50 to 100 Prevailing Wind, N. W. 15 days. Fall of Rain, 2 inches 6 1/2 tenths Days of Rain, 6 --------Thunder 1. The COMET was visible through the whole of the month. Seven Shocks of an EARTHQUAKE were felt in this city, in this month. The first and most severe occurred on the morning of the 16th, at 5 minutes before 3 o'clock, and was a minute and a half in duration. The vibration was so great as to set the bell of St. Phillip's Church ringing, and the furniture in motion, some of which, in several houses, was thrown down. The pendulums of the house clocks stopped, and, in some houses, the glasses in the pictures which were hanging against the wall, were broken. In many persons the motion produced nausea at the stomach. The second shock was felt while the town clocks were chiming three. This was slighter than the first, and continued about 20 seconds. The third shock was felt at 3 minutes before, and the fourth at 10 minutes after eight o'clock. The first was severe, but both were only of a few seconds duration. The three last shocks were unaccompanied by any noise. The vibratory motion was East and West. Wine N. N. E. Atmosphere hazy and dark.-The Thermometer at 8 o'clock the preceding evening was 32, and the Barometer, 30, 45. The morning of the Earthquake, the Barometer continued the same, but the Mercury in the thermometers had sunk to 46. The fifth shock was felt at 11 o'clock of the same night and the sixth at 20 minutes after 9 on the 17th; The seventh concussion was felt on the 20th, at 3 minutes before 12 o'clock. We have had less Thunder the last year than usual. The days of Thunder generally average about 60 last year they amounted only to 33.
Recommended Citation
"“Meteorological Observations at Charleston, (S. C.) for December 1811”" (1812). New Madrid Compendium Far-Field Database. 301.
https://digitalcommons.memphis.edu/cas-ceri-new-madrid-compendium/301
