“Earthquake”
Date
2-8-1812
Newspaper
Louisiana Gazette
Page and Column
Page 2, Column 3
Newspaper Location
New Orleans, Louisiana
Serial Number
918
Abstract
Felt report for the February 7, 1812 earthquake at New Orleans. Only local report known from newspaper. Time of earthquake was “ a few minutes after three o'clock”. Effects noted were the shaking of glasses and furniture. Chandeliers suspended from 3 foot chains vibrated for a minute, many clocks were stopped and people awakened thinking that their houses had been broken into. Account goes on to speculate as to the origin of the earthquakes and notes that they have been frequent and that many accounts had reached New Orleans.
Transcript
EARTHQUAKE Yesterday morning at a few minutes after three o'clock a shock of an Earthquake was felt in this city. The ladies generally from Mr. Tiemonlet's Ball Room had retired, some remained, and a number of gentlemen, when the shock took place. All the glasses and furniture shook the chandeliers that are suspended by chains of about three feet, vibrated to nearly a minute-many clocks were stopped-several persons were awakened and leaped out of bed, supposing that robbers were breaking the house. The frequent shocks that have been felt on the Mississippi since the 16th of December, and the various accounts we have received of them, lead us to think that some volcanic explosion was taken place in the mountains that divide the waters of the Pacific ocean, Arkansas, and the Missouri, perhaps between lat. 37 and 38, and that the explosions altermately continue, which produces such frequent tremblings of the earth.
Recommended Citation
"“Earthquake”" (1812). New Madrid Compendium Far-Field Database. 892.
https://digitalcommons.memphis.edu/cas-ceri-new-madrid-compendium/892
