“From the Baltimore Sun”
Date
5-2-1812
Newspaper
Carolina Federal Republican
Page and Column
Page 3, Column 3
Newspaper Location
New Bern, North Carolina
Serial Number
814
Abstract
Felt report for the March 25, 1812 earthquake near Caracas, Venezuela. Detailed brief report.
Transcript
FROM THE BALTIMORE SUN. By captain Betts arrived yesterday from Laguira, we learn, that on the 25th of March at 4 o'clock P. M. there was a very severe shock of an earthquake, which destroyed nearly the whole city of Carracas, and all the town of Laguira, with all the neighboring villages. About 10,000 people were buried in the ruins; 2500 in Laguira; 1 American alone perished, a Mr. Cromell of New-York. Four shocks were heard and felt on the night following not heavy enough to do any damage. On the 27th ult. the people that were living were employed in digging the dead from under the ruins, putting them in large lighters, carrying them outside the shipping and burying them in the sea. On the 28th, the sea was so rough as to prevent them taking the dead off-they then built a large fire near the wharf, and commenced burning them, and burnt about 40 at a time in one fire. On the 29th the stench had become so bad, they quit digging any more dead from under the ruins. All the inhabitants that were living pitched their tents on the plains of Maguera. On the 4th of April there was a very heavy shock that 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, & large pieces rolling off them. At half past five the Independence sailed, so that we could not ascertain what damage had been done. [C. H. B. PHILADELPHIA, April 22 Extract of a letter from a gentleman at Carraccas, to his lady in this city, dated April 2, 1812. "I have the happiness to inform you that I am in good health and safe, after one of the most terrible Earthquakes that nature could inflict on a country without entirely swallowing it up-this dreadful catastrophe took place on Thursday, the 26th ult. 7 minutes past 4 o'clock in the afternoon, and continued 1 minute and some seconds. It has totally destroyed two-thirds of the houses in this town, and about one fourth of the inhabitants have perished in the ruins-indeed, such a scene of misery I never witnessed. Laguira has suffered much more than this place, being totally destroyed. This letter is written in the open fields, where I have slept since the 25th.
Recommended Citation
"“From the Baltimore Sun”" (1812). New Madrid Compendium Far-Field Database. 798.
https://digitalcommons.memphis.edu/cas-ceri-new-madrid-compendium/798
