“Earthquake on the Mississippi”

Creator

Daniel Bedinger

Date

3-28-1812

Newspaper

National Intelligencer

Page and Column

Page 1, Column 1 and 2

Newspaper Location

Washington, D. C.

Serial Number

985

Abstract

Daniel Bedinger’s account of the December 16, 1811 earthquake and its aftermath. Very detailed account.

Transcript

PUBLISHED BY JOSEPH GATES, JUN. Three times a week. ALL LETTERS TO THE EDITOR MUST BE POST PAID EARTHQUAKE ON THE MISSISSIPPI. We are gratified on being able, from so respectable a source, to lay before our readers an authentic account of the phenomena exhibited by the Earthquake on the Mississippi: New-Orleans, Jan. 15, 1812. Sir; Believing the effects of the late Earthquake, to have been different in different sections of the country, and that reports at Washington, however diversified, were nevertheless such as to excite curiosity; I take the liberty of sending you the enclosed paper, which, at a leisure moment may, perhaps, afford some little amusement, & which you will be pleased to dispose of in any manner you think proper. I am, &c. Dr. BEDINGER. EXTRACT from the Journal of Daniel Bedinger on a voyage down the Mississippi: < December 13th, 1811. The barge Louisville, in which Doctor Foster and D. Bedinger had taken their passage, arrived at the mouth of the Ohio, where she fell in with the barges Venus and Ohio, captains Medington and Becktle. The Mississippi, it was observed, was lower than usual, though not so low as it has been. The banks presented an elevation, on an average, of about 20 feet above the surface of the river. The winds wee light and the weather gloomy. December 14th. To avoid tiresome repetitions, the temperature of the weather, will generally be noticed in manner following, viz. Therm. 29 deg. and 46, which implies that the mercury of Farnheit's thermometers stood at 29 deg. at sun-rise, and 46 at 8 o'clock P. M. as was the case this day. The three barges above named and several other boats proceeded down the river. During the day; there was little wind-the weather was very dark and foggy. In the evening came too at the island No. 8, as designated by the Pittsburgh "Navigator." December 13th.Therm. 40 and 49.°. Got under way and touched at New-Madrid, a fine handsome bank, but the place little improved. Descended the river to the Island No. 13, which lies about the latitude of 36 deg. 20 north. The weather was very dark all day, & had the appearance of what is sometimes called the Indian Summer. December 16th. About 2 o'clock in the morning were alarmed by an unusual noise, seemingly under the bottom of the barge, attended; with a violent trembling and shaking of the vessel; and as all the boats in company were, at the same time, equally affected, and were soon convinced that the cause was no other than a violent shock of an earthquake, which lasted, (without intermission) about 40 seconds. Immediately after which the boats rocked considerably (though there was no wind). The river appeared to be much agitated. It was suddenly covered with a thick froth. It rose at least 18 inches in a few minutes time, and became very rapid where the vessels lay. But about two hours after it subsided, and the current again became gentle. The froth, too, had passed down the stream and entirely disappeared before day.* In the mean time, the confusion which seemed to reign on all sides, was awfully alarming. Many acres of land in a body (as was discovered on the approach of day) had sunk to a level with the surface of the river, and some much lower, leaving only the tops of the trees above water. Where the banks did not immediately tumble in, vast rents or tissues were made in the earth to an extent unknown. Some of those fissures received the waters of the river, and others let out those of the neighboring lakes and ponds; with not inconsiderable roarings. frequent rumbling sounds were heard, resembling distant thunder, and numerous heavy reports, indicative of explosions, seemingly from the bottom of the river and the low lands adjacent, together with the falling and crashing of many large and heavy trees, at the same moment, seemed to threaten universal destruction. Immediately after the first shock, the thermometer was observed to be at 45. About 30 minutes after the first shock a second was felt; it was less violent and of shorter duration than the first. Two hours after another came on, but it was more moderate than either of the other two. From this time until day light, nothing material occurred, except repeated rumbling sounds, seemingly, at a distance, and a continual falling in of the banks of the river. The bouts now, all got under way and stood down the river. The thermometer at sun-rise, was still at 45. No perceptible change was observed in the temperature of the river water. Nothing was seen like lightning, fire, smoke, or any thing of a volcanic nature. The weather remained dark and cloudy and the winds were light and variable. About half past 7 o'clock A.M. there was another shock, which for violence (it was agreed by all on board) exceeded the first; but lasted only about 20 seconds. Soon after was seen (a short distance from the head most boat) a large spout or body of water rising from the river to the heighth of about 18 or 20 feet, when it seemed to burst, and was instantaneously followed by a loud report. Similar reports were heard-from the neighboring low grounds at various distances from the river. A great number of old logs and trees of an enormous size, were cast up to the surface, from the bottom of the channel, which caused the navigation (always difficult here) to be still more dangerous. The mischief done by these logs cannot be ascertained, but a Mr. Arnell of Salt river, Kentucky, lost two boats with their cargoes by the rising of one of them. His first boat was briged, and the other being lashed to her, they both went down together. The people were saved. At 8 o'clock there was a slight shock; and at 10 another. The boats now, were, within a short distance of the village at the Little Prairie, and desirous of knowing what effects had been produced by the repeated shocks above mentioned, at and near the place, Doctor F. and D. B. got into the skiff and went ahead of the larger vessels. When they approached the town, they found it altogether unsafe to attempt a landing, as the banks were all broken to pieces, and huge masses were, at short intervals, tumbling into the river. They however called aloud and were answered by a black man, who showed himself at some distance off. From him they understood that all the inhabitants, but himself, had that morning, in the utmost consternation, fled into the country to the westward of the village. That the earth was broken up in many places and the openings filled with water. The houses much injured-the only brick chimney in the place entirely demolished, and that the shock at half past 7 had been much more violent, terrible and destructive than the first. As no further information could be obtained, they returned to the barges, which by this time had passed the village.+ They continued their course down the river. At 11 o'clock they felt a considerable shock; and 20 minutes after, another, not so severe. The thermometers 3 P. M. was at 52. In the evening all the boats in company came too, near the Island No. 23. A landing was made on this island & it was found that every part of the beach, as well as the high land, had been much rent and torn to pieces. Numerous springs or holes remained which all had the appearance of having discharged large quantities of water, sand, mud and pieces of wood, which, in color and weight, greatly resembled mineral coal. Some specimens were brought away. December 17th.Thermometer 53 and 49. The wind first west, then north-west; the morning very dark and cloudy. Descended the river this day to the head of the Canadian reach. At 6 o'clock A. M. two shocks, each of short duration. At 30 minutes post 11, one more violent. Occasional rumblings. December 18th. Thermometer 80 and 45. Remained at anchor (being wind hound) all day. Wind strong at N. W. At 45 minutes past 11 A. M. a slight shock, and at 9 P. M. another. December 19th. Therm. 25 and 36. Wind first west, then variable. A clear day. Proceeded to the first Chickasaw bluff and landed. On the high ground discovered no marks of the earthquake. Near the river the banks were broken, but nothing like those at the Little Prairie. A slight shock or jar 3 P. M. December 20thThe run 31 and 37. A shock at 11 A. M. just at passing of the 2d bluff. The weather cloudy with some rain this day. Came too below the 3d bluff. December 2st. Therm. 47 and 51. A slight shock at half past 11 A. M. In the evening anchored off Fort Pickering at the 4th bluff. Landed near the trading house, on ?????, & were told that the Earthquake had been felt there and also as the distance of 40 miles to the eastward; but no damage done. December 22d. Therm. 49 and 50. Wind N. W. Felt a slight jar at 7 A. M. which was the last. Landed on the Louisiana side and could discover no traces of the earthquake at this place, which was near Council Island. They afterwards found that the Earthquake had been less violent below-that its force gradually diminished to the southward. They obtained their information on this point, at the mount of the river St. Francis, the Arkansas, Walnut Hills, Warrenton and Natchez. Below the 31st degree of N. Lat. They could not learn that it had been felt at all. +Below this place the country is an uninhibited wilderness for several hundred miles, excepting only at the 4th Bluff, where there is a small settlement. *It was afterwards concluded, that, as this froth was evidently produced by the ebolutions, or bubbling of water, formed during the concussion; from the bottom and sides of the river, through immunerable ducts and openings-and as it floated off down the stream, in so short a space of time, the most, violent effects of the earthquake could not have extended, on the river, to any great distance above this place.

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