“We have the following description...”

Date

2-10-1812

Newspaper

Wilson’s Knoxville Gazette

Page and Column

Page 3, Column 1

Newspaper Location

Knoxville, Tennessee

Serial Number

440

Abstract

Eyewitness account of the December 16, 1811 earthquake on the river south of New Madrid. Was located “a few leagues south” of New Madrid, Notes that upheaval in the river and waves 15 feet high and debris being blown out of the river bottom.

Transcript

NEW-ORLEANS January 20. We have the following description of the Earthquake from gentlemen who was in a large barge, and lay at anchor in the Mississippi a few leagues below New Madrid, on the night of the 15th of December. About 2 o'clock all hands were awakened by the first shock; the impression was, that one barge had dragged her anchor and was grounding on gravel; such were the feelings for 62 of 80 seconds. when the shock subsided. The crews were so fully purusaded of the fact of their being aground, that they put out their sounding poles, but found water enough. At seven next morning a second and very severe shock took place. The barge was under way-the river rose several feet; the trees on the shore shook; the banks in large columns tumbled in; hundreds of old trees that had lain perhaps half a century at the bottom of the river, appeared on the surface of the water; the feathered race took to the wing. the canopy was covered with geese and ducks and various other kinds of wild fowl; very little wind; the air was tainted with a nitrous and sulpherous smell; and every thing was truly alarming for several minutes. The shocks continued to the 21st Dec. during that time perhaps one hundred were distinctly felt. From the river St. Francis to the Chickasaw bluffs visible marks of the earthquake were discovered; from that place down, the banks did not appear to have been disturbed.

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