“For the Evening Ledger”

Date

12-24-1812

Newspaper

Savannah Republican

Page and Column

Page 3, Column 2 and 3

Newspaper Location

Savannah, Georgia

Serial Number

697

Abstract

Long detailed felt report for the December 16, 1811 earthquake at Savannah, Georgia. Also for January 23, 1812 earthquake and earthquakes in between.

Transcript

FOR THE EVENING LEDGER. Mr. EVANS--The repeated shocks of Earthquakes, which have been felt in this place since the morning of the 16th; having drawn forth some speculations and hypotheses from the scientific, I shall take the liberty of giving as perfect an account of the phenomena as they occurred, as my own observation, assisted by that of others, will enable me to do. About 3 o'clock of the morning of the 16th, a shock was felt which produced an oscillating movement of the houses, and lasted for nearly a minute. It was not preceded by any noises which usally portend this phenomenon, nor was its approach announced by any other appearance, than a great serenity in the atmosphere. An hour afterwards another shock was felt, but of shorter continuance than the other, and a person then up, has said, that he observed at the same time a tremulous undulating motion of the earth like the rolling of waves. At 8 o'clock a noise resembling distant thunder was heard, and was soon after followed by a shock which appeared to operate vertically, that is to say, by a heaving of the ground upwards-but was not sufficiently severe to injure even furniture, or glasses. This shock, was succeeded by a thick haze, and many people were affected by giddiness, and nausea. Another shock was experienced about 9 o'clock at night, but so slight as not to be generally felt-and at 12 past 12 the next day (the 17th) another shock was felt, which lasted only a few seconds, and was succeded by a tremor which was occasionally observed throughout the day, effecting many with giddiness. At half past 6 o'clock a very thick haze came on, and for a few minutes a sulphureous smell was emitted. At 9 o'clock last night, another was felt which continued four or five seconds, but so slight as to have escaped the observation of many who had not thought of attending particularly to the operations of this phenomenon. At one o'clock this morning (23d) another shock took place of nearly equal severity with the first of the 16th. Buried in sleep, I was not sensible of this but I have derived such correct information on the fact, that I have no reason to doubt it; but I have observed since 11 o'clock this morning frequent tremors of the earth, such as usually precede severe shocks in other parts of the world. It is something extraordinary, that these shocks so numerous should not be attended with more formidable effects, or that they should not have encreased in their severity. There is nothing extraordinary in their frequency, but as in other countries, not so much subject to the influence of the sun as this is, such frequent shocks usually have ended in mischief, and desolation, we ought to have calculated upon similar effects from similar causes. The mildness of those we have felt, can be attributed only to the distance of the cause by which they have been produced. On this subject, of the cause of earthquakes, there are numerous and discordant opinions from the ancient philosopher Anaxagoras, to Sir William Hamilton or Mr. Dolomien. According to the hypothesis of some, earthquakes are occasioned by subterraneous fires throwing down the arches or vaults of the earth; according to others the rarefaction of the abyss waters, interior combustion, and fermentation, volcanic operations; and lastly, by the electric fluid. The latter hypothesis seems to be the most accredited, as it evidently is the most rational. The instantaneous effects of some earthquakes, prove beyond doubt, that electricity must be the principle agent in this alarming and terrible phenomenon. Whether according to Dr. Stukely, this electricity is superficial, or is bu, TEXT MISSING may be given by a volcano of the ANDES, would reach us in the course of an hour, or sooner in proportion to the quantity of electric fluid affected by the contact. The celebrated earthquake in 1755, appears from all the facts as they have been carefully compiled, to have traveled four millions of square miles in about one hour and ten minutes. From the nature, quality and direction of the shocks felt in this city, I am induced from a variety of circumstances to suppose, that they may be traced to some of the volcanic operations of the Cordillera de los Andes, and if the hasty remarks, which I now do myself the pleasure of submitting, are deemed sufficiently interesting for publication, the subject will be renewed with more method and reflection. A SUBSCRIBER. Savannah, December 23d, 1811.

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