“Additional Earthquakes...”

Date

2-12-1812

Newspaper

Liberty Hall

Page and Column

Page 3, Column 2 and 3

Newspaper Location

Cincinnati, Ohio

Serial Number

499

Abstract

Detailed account of the February 7, 1812 earthquake as felt in Cincinnati.

Transcript

ADDITIONAL EARTHQUAKES. On Tuesday the 4th inst. about 5 o'clock, P. M. a moderate shock of an earthquake was experienced by our citizens generally. Its duration was between one and two minutes. In the course of the following night, some slight tremors were perceptible, and on the next day, Wednesday the 5th, at least two shocks, of inconsiderable force, were observed by several persons. On Thursday the 6th, none seem to have been felt; but on the morning of the 7th, at 52 minutes past 3 o'clock, apparent time, a strong vibration occurred and was followed without intermission by two others; the whole occupying, according to the best observations that were made, about six minutes. They raised those sides of houses which face S.S.E. and W.S.W. One of them threw a plum, hung by a line 7 feet long, three inches to the N.N.W. from the point over which it ordinarily rested. This was not only the strongest vibration that occurred at that time, but by far the most powerful that has been experienced here. It however, did less damage than was expected, by those who witnessed it. It threw down part of the top of one chimney in town, and of two in the vicinity of the town. It also widened the cracks that previously existed in some brick houses; and is said to have injured the Court-house. As that building, however, was already cracked, over several of the arches from the bad execution of the masonary, it is altogether uncertain to what extent it was injured by this shock. These strong vibrations, are said by some, to have been preceded by a light, and noise, but others who were awake and collected in mind and senses, observed neither. About 8 o'clock the same morning, another (but short and feeble) shock was perceived. During the remainder of the day, several gentle tremors were noticed. At 14 minutes past 8 o'clock in the evening, a moderate vibration occurred continuing nearly a minute. It was succeeded, at 2 minutes past 10 o'clock, by another of two minutes duration. From the termination of the last of these shocks, till noon on Saturday the 8th the earth seems to have trembled gently and steadily, with an occasional moderate heave. On Sunday the 9th, no agitation was felt, but on Monday the 10th about 4 o'clock P. M. several of our citizens observed an additional vibration; and about one o'clock on Tuesday morning, another gentle shake was felt, which was succeeded about six o'clock by a vibration somewhat stronger and more generally noticed. The state of the weather during these shocks will be noticed next week.

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