“Ever since the 16th of December last...”
Date
2-15-1812
Newspaper
The Times
Page and Column
Page 3, Column 1
Newspaper Location
Charleston, South Carolina
Serial Number
405
Abstract
Long felt report from Columbia, South Carolina on the February 7, 1812 earthquake. From February 11, 1812 earthquake. “Ever since the 16th of December last, the earth has appeared unsettled, and in an almost constant tremor, and shocks of Earthquakes are frequently felt with more or less severity. At a quarter before five o’clock in the evening of Tuesday last, a smart shock was felt; and about half past three on Friday morning, it was followed by one that far exceeded in severity any thing of the kind heretofore experienced here. It continued with considerable severity for about 2 minutes, but the motion did not entirely subside under ten or fifteen.- It shook of of the top of one of the College chimneys, threw down part of an inside wall in one of the professors houses; partially effected several other buildings. This terrible shaking of the earth excited the terror and alarm of every thinking mind; many took fright and ran into the street just as the left their beds. In the early part of the night following two slight shocks wee felt, which so alarmed the inhabitants of the place that many would not venture to bed at all and those who did, slept in their clothes. It is remarkable that the animal part of creation appeared well award of their danger, and their fears were fully manifested by the noise of the cattle, dogs, cats and fowls.”
Transcript
COLUMBIA, S C FEB. 11. Ever since the 16th of December last, the earth has appeared unsettled, and in an almost constant tremor, and shocks of Earthquakes are frequently felt with more or less severity. At a quarter before five o'clock in the evening of Tuesday last, a smart shock was felt; and about half past three on Friday morning, it was followed by one that far exceeded in severity any thing of the kind heretofore experienced here. It continued with considerable severity for about 2 minutes, but the motion did not entirely subside under ten or fifteen.-It shook off the top of one of the College chimnies, threw down part of an inside wall in one of the professors houses; and partially effected several other buildings. This terrible shaking of the earth excited the terror and alarm of every thinking mind; many took fright and ran into the street just as they left their beds. In the early part of the night following two slight shocks were felt, which so alarmed the inhabitants of the place that many would not venture to bed at all; and those that did, slept in their clothes. It is remarkable that the animal part of creation appeared well aware of their danger, and their fears were loudly manifested by the noise of the cattle, dogs, cats, and horses.
Recommended Citation
"“Ever since the 16th of December last...”" (1812). New Madrid Compendium Far-Field Database. 398.
https://digitalcommons.memphis.edu/cas-ceri-new-madrid-compendium/398
