“Norfolk, Dec 16
Date
12-27-1811
Newspaper
Charleston Courier
Page and Column
Page 3, column 1
Newspaper Location
Charleston, South Carolina
Serial Number
89
Abstract
Felt report fro the December 16, 1811 earthquake at Norfolk, Virginia. First earthquake was “about 3 o’clock” it was so severe as to awaken a number of person out of their sleep.” Clocks were stopped and people were awakened from their sleep. Another shock was felt “about 8 o’clock” . The effect of the second shock was the same except that more people were awake to feel it.
Transcript
Norfolk, Dec. 16.-- This morning two distinct shocks of an Earthquake were felt in this place; The first (and according to most accounts) the most violent, was about 3 o'clock. It was so severe as to awaken a number of persons out of their sleep. The shock at two very short intervals might have continued about a minute. The shaking of the beds is described, as if a strong man had taken hold on the posts, and shook them with all the violence in his power. Several clocks were stopped. The houses were shaken with great violence. Again about 8 o'clock another shock was felt by a greater number of persons, as many had risen, this was also very violent. The most sensible effect produced by this, that we have yet learned, was that of throwing a pipe of Wine off the skids, in a warehouse in Commerce-street. Before our next we expect to obtain some further particulars respecting this (in our climate) unusual convulsion of nature.
Recommended Citation
"“Norfolk, Dec 16" (1811). New Madrid Compendium Far-Field Database. 87.
https://digitalcommons.memphis.edu/cas-ceri-new-madrid-compendium/87
