“Annapolis, January 23...”

Date

2-6-1812

Newspaper

Hampshire Federalist

Page and Column

Page 3, Column 3.

Newspaper Location

Springfield, Massachusetts

Serial Number

790

Abstract

Long felt report for the January 23, 1812 earthquake from Annapolis, Maryland. Give details on swaying of pendulums, cracked ice in the river, the swaying of the state house steeple and other effects. Quite detailed and good account.

Transcript

ANNAPOLIS, JANUARY 23. An Earthquake.--A severe shock of an earthquake was experienced by a number of persons in this city yesterday morning, the 22d inst. about sixteen minutes before ten o'clock. Its duration is supposed to have been about two or three minutes from beginning to end and its direction, apparently from E. to S. W. This phenomenon was dissimilar in its nature and effects from any of the kind that we have heretofore heard of, as it was not accompanied or preceded by the usual rumbling noise, nor any sudden concussion of the earth, but a continued roll similar to that of a vessel in a heavy sea. One circumstance which renders its effect more singular is, that it was very sensibly felt by some, while others, although in the same room, and perhaps within a few feet of them, were not in the least affected by its operation, and those who were in the street or open air, were insensible as to any extraordinary motion of the earth.-The first intimation to those who experienced its effects was from the motion of every thing around them, and a sudden and deadly sickness, accompanied with a giddiness in the head-We judge of the severity of the shock from the motion which was given to substances suspended from the ceilings of houses. The fairest opportunity that was presented (to our knowledge) of judging of its force and direction, was from an ostrich egg which was suspended by a string of about a foot in length from a first floor ceiling, which was caused to oscilate at least four inches from point to point. We are informed that the steeple of the state house, which is supposed to be two hundred and fifty feet in height vibrated at least 6 or 8 feet at the top, and the motion was perceptible for 8 or 10 minutes. A number of clocks were stopped and the ice in the river & bay cracked considerably. Some persons who were skating, were very much terrified, and immediately made for the shore. In the lower part of the city it appears to have been most forcible, some people being in the act of abandoning their houses, for the purpose of seeking safety in the open air. It is said that a noise like distant thunder was heard about 3 o'clock in the morning and a slight motion of the earth observed about 8, but neither were very sensibly heard or felt. There was nothing extraordinary in the atmosphere, except that it was remarkably calm, and rather inclined to be warm, although there was a deep snow on the ground & for several days past it had been extremely cold.

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