“Zanesville (O.) Dec. 13.”

Date

1-30-1812

Newspaper

Natchez Gazette

Page and Column

Page 3, Column 1

Newspaper Location

Natchez, Mississippi

Serial Number

466

Abstract

Report from Zanesville, Ohio on the effect of the December 16, 1811 earthquake. Long detailed report.

Transcript

ZAINESVILLE, (O.) Dec. 18. Two shocks of Earthquakes were sensibly felt by most of the inhabitants of this town, the town of Springfield, and the adjacent country at 3 o'clock in the morning of Monday the 16th instant. Many persons were suddenly awakened from their sleep by the tremulous motion of their beds-the shaking of their houses, doors and windows. It lasted full two minutes. At 8 o'clock A. M.-experienced a considerable shock, which continued at least 4 minutes-the Cupola of the court-house was moved to and fro-the iron-rod vibrated 8 or 9, inches-the sign posts and trees in the street put on undulatory motions-the clapping of windows was heard at more than two hundred yards distance-several clocks were so jarred as to be suddenly stopt-the Vane on the court-house was considered the best criterion to judge of the direction (for a breath of wind could not be discovered) and this was from North-East to South-West. At 10 minutes after 8 o'clock another shock was felt, which lasted but a short time. At 40 minutes after 10, another slight shock was felt. At 25 minutes after 12, another shock very slight, was felt. On the next day, (17th) at 5 o'clock in the morning a shock, which lasted 2 minutes, surprised many before they got out of their beds. At 5 minutes after 12, a shock which lasted full 3 minutes, caused great agitation of the steeple of the courthouse as the one of the day preceding. It has, we learn, extended to a considerable distance through this state. No injury has been done. From the most minute enquiry it cannot be discovered that any sound or explosion preceeded any of the shocks. The weather immediately preceding this strange occurrence in this country was cloudy, mild, calm, portending a storm and rain;--at about 7 o'clock P. M. it drizzled a little which continued till about 10;--after which it became warm, very calm, and some what foggy. The day afterward, was mild, calm, and mostly cloudy, with rain in the afternoon. The atmosphere of the fall months had been generally calm with dry and moderate weather.

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