“From Capt. Betts”

Date

5-15-1812

Newspaper

Georgia Express

Page and Column

Page 1, Column 3

Newspaper Location

Athens, Georgia

Serial Number

741

Abstract

Report on Caribbean earthquake at La Guria in March 1812

Transcript

BALTIMORE, April 25. By capt Betts from Laguira, we learn that on the 26th of March, at 4 o'clock, P. M. there was a very severe shock of an Earthquake, which destroyed nearly the whole of the city of Carracas and all the town of Laguira, with all the neighboring villages-ten thousand people were buried in the ruins-two thousand five hundred in Laugira-one American only perished, viz. Mr. Crowell, of New York. Four shocks were heard and felt on the night following, not heavy enough to do any damage. On the 27th, the survivors were employed in digging the dead from under the ruins, putting them in large lighters, carrying them outside of the shipping, and burying them in the sea. On the 28th, the sea was so rough as to prevent them taking the dead off-then they built a large fire near the wharf; & commenced burning them and burned about 40 at a time in one fire. On the 29th, the stench had become so bad that they quit digging the dead from under the ruins. All the survivors pitched tents on the plains of Magetere.-On the 4th of April, there was a very hard shock, which made the vessels tremble as if they had been on a reef of rocks in a heavy sea; and from on board the Independence, we could see the mountains move like a ship in a heavy sea, and large pieces falling off them. At half past 6, the independence sailed, so that we could not tell what damage has been done. C H Brooks. Robert K Lowry, Esq writes from Laguria under date of 3d inst. and mentions the confusion and dismay as indescribable; following the destruction by earthquake, is a terrible scene of robbery. He was prepared to fail immediately, with what he could snatch from the hands of the plunderers to Puerto Cavello, which had eclipsed the shock.

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