“The shocks of the night of the sixth and seventh...”

Date

3-16-1812

Newspaper

Wilson’s Knoxville Gazette

Page and Column

Page 3, Column 2

Newspaper Location

Knoxville, Tennessee

Serial Number

451

Abstract

Report from the Nashville Clarion concerning damage from the February 7, 1812 earthquake in the region.

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 Praire 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 abandoned 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 beings afraid to venture any further-a barge and two flats however sunk there. He represents the county 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. Nash Clarion.

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