“More earthquakes”
Date
3-11-1812
Newspaper
Edenton Gazette
Page and Column
Page 3 Column 3 and 4
Newspaper Location
Edenton, North Carolina
Serial Number
878
Abstract
Account from Lancaster, Ohio for the February 7, 1812 earthquake. Time of the first quake was 3:30 am(local time). Effects noted were the ringing of bells, people fleeing their houses and the panic of livestock. The earthquake was described as a “violent agitation of the earth” Another shock occurred at 8:20 p.m. (local time) the same evening and then again at 10:35 p.m. (local time) the same evening. The first one was described as considerable and the second was described at more severe than the 8:20 p.m. one but less than the first shock of the morning.
Transcript
LANCASTER, (Ohio) Feb. 13. MORE EARTHQUAKES. On Friday morning last, 7th, at 30 minutes past 3 o'clock, the citizens of this place were roused from their slumbers by another violent undulation of the earth. The concussion was terrible, and caused the astonished and affrighted inhabitants to fly form their habitations to the streets for safety. The shocks hereto felt, when compared to this were slight and feeble. The scene was awfully terrific. The pale face moon emitting her feeble rays through a hazy atmosphere contributed to heighten rather than dispel the gloom. The ringing of bells, occasioned by the violent agitation of the earth-the howling of dogs-the bellowing of cattle, and the running to and fro of horses, which evinced, that even the brute creation, were not invensible to this terrific convulsion of nature, and to their danger; the earth now apparently reeling to its centre, and now oscillating with the velocity of lightning to every point of the compass, served to produce sensations indescribable, and seemed to threaten those dire calamities, which in some countries are consequent of severe earthquakes. But providentially (and with gratitude to Heaven we write it) after five or six minutes dreadful agitation, the conflict of the elements ceased, and we were measurably relieved from apprehensions easier to be conceived than described. At 20 minutes past 8 in the evening, there was a considerable shake. It was followed at 35 minutes past 10 by another more severe than the second but far less terrible than the first.
Recommended Citation
"“More earthquakes”" (1812). New Madrid Compendium Far-Field Database. 860.
https://digitalcommons.memphis.edu/cas-ceri-new-madrid-compendium/860
