“Earthquake”

Date

12-17-1811

Newspaper

Charleston Courier

Page and Column

Page 3, Column 1

Newspaper Location

New Orleans, Louisiana

Serial Number

949

Abstract

Felt report for the December 16, 1811 earthquake at Charleston , south Carolina. One of the original reports of the ringing of the bell at St. Phillips church which was reported throughout the country as news spread. Good detailed report.

Transcript

EARTHQUAKE Yesterday morning four shocks of an Earthquake were felt in this city. The first, and most severe, occurred at five minutes before 3 o'clock, and was a minute and an half in duration. It was preceded by a noise resembling the rattling of a carriage over a pavement. The air was calm and cold, and the atmosphere cloudy. The vibration was so great as to set the house-bells and the bell of St. Philip's Church, ringing, and the furniture in motion, some of which, in several houses, was thrown down. The pendulums of the house-clocks stopped, and, in some houses, the glasses in the pictures which were hanging against the wall, were broken. In many persons the motion produced nausea at the stomach. The second shock was felt while the town clocks where chiming three. This was slighter than the first, and continued about 20 seconds. The third shock was felt at three minutes before, and the fourth at ten minutes after 3 o'clock. The first was severe, but both were only of a few seconds duration. The three last shocks were unaccompanied by any noise. We have not heard that any damage has been sustained, nor how far it has extended into the country. It was felt 23 miles from town. The vibratory motion was East and West, Wind N. N. E., Atmosphere hazy and dark. The Thermometer at 8 o'clock the preceding evening was 52 and the Barometer 03, 45. Yesterday morning at 8 o'clock the Barometer continued the same, but the mercury in the Thermometer had sunk to forty-six.

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