“The shocks on the nights of the sixth and seventh...”

Date

4-1-1812

Newspaper

Charleston Courier

Page and Column

Page 2, Column 1

Newspaper Location

Charleston, South Carolina

Serial Number

362

Abstract

Felt report from Nashville, Tennessee for the February 7, 1812 earthquake. Other locations mentioned are New Madrid, Little Prairie and a location called Fort Blunt, where a subsidence was located.

Transcript

The shocks on the nights of the sixth and seventh of February were felt all over the continent, as far as we have accounts from. About the Little Prairie on the Mississippi, it was dreadful. A gentleman immediately from there, informs us, that on the evening of the 6th, he made his boat fast to the west bank, about a mile above the Little Prairie in company with another boat, that about 3 o'clock, a tremendous shock came on, and continued to rack his boat nearly thirty minutes. Finding his boat was unable to proceed, as soon as it was day he abandon her and aimed for land, which he found in about two hundred yards. He attempted to discover the boat in company with him, but could not. After some time wandering through the swamps he arrived at New Madrid, which, he was told had sunk ten feet lower than it formerly was, and found it nearly deserted, the inhabitants had removed to the highlands in the west, and camped in the woods. He saw a number of boats lying there, the owners being afraid to venture any further; a barge and two flats however sunk there. He represents the country to be nearly abandoned by the settlers, several of whom he overtook in great distress. A letter is received in town from a worthy gentleman; who states he was informed at Fort Blount, about eight miles from there, a tract of land four miles square had sunk about four feet, and in the fissures one half of large trees were seen standing on the high and the other half on the low ground. The plantations in the low ground remained otherwise uninjured.--Nashville Clarion.

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