“Earthquake”
Date
7-24-1812
Newspaper
Boston Yankee
Page and Column
Page 4, Column 1
Newspaper Location
Boston, Massachusetts
Serial Number
837
Abstract
Report from New Madrid dated June 18, 1812. States that over 10,000 shocks have been felt. Notes the 3/4 of the population had left and not returned. Notes that subsidence of the land had made it vulnerable to flooding. Worst place of subsidence was at Little Prairie. Good brief post earthquake report of the damage.
Transcript
EARTHQUAKE. The following is an extract of a letter, dated New Madrid, Louisiana (now Missouri) Territory, June 13, 1812: This country, as you have no doubt heard, has experienced great injury by the violent concussions of the earthquakes. In some places the soil is much injured owing to the explosions from the bowels of the earth, which have caused the sinking of the ground mostly in Little Prarie, and in consequence of which we have no doubt that many places that were before dry will now in the times of high freshets be inundated. But the greatest injury the country has sustained is its depopulation by the desertion of the inhabitants. The events of the 7th of February last were dreadfully alarming indeed. About three fourths of the inhabitants left the country, and a great portion of them have not yet returned, prevented by the fear of what may yet befal this devoted country, for the tremors of the earth still continue. We have from five to eight shocks in twenty-four hours, and I would speak within bounds to say we have had ten thousand shocks.
Recommended Citation
"“Earthquake”" (1812). New Madrid Compendium Far-Field Database. 820.
https://digitalcommons.memphis.edu/cas-ceri-new-madrid-compendium/820
