“Earthquakes”
Date
4-24-1812
Newspaper
Norfolk Herald
Page and Column
Page 1, Column 2
Newspaper Location
Norfolk, Virginia
Serial Number
1014
Abstract
Report of Capt. Betts on the Caribbean earthquake
Transcript
BALTIMORE, April 21. EARTHQUAKES. By captain Betts, arrived yesterday from Laguira, we learn, that on the 26th of March, at 4 o'clock P. M. there was a very severe shock of an earthquake, which destroyed nearly the whole of Caraccas, and all the town of Laguira, with all the neighbouring villages. About 10,000 people were buried in the ruins; 2500 in Labuira; 1 American alone perished, a Mr. Comwell, of N. York.-Four shocks were heard and felt on the night following, not heavy enough to do any damage. On the 27th all the people that were living were employed in digging the dead from the ruins, putting them in large lighters, carrying them outside the shipping and burying them in the sea. On the 28th, the sea was so rough as to prevent them taking the dead off--they then built a large fire near the wharf, and commenced burning them, and burnt about 40 at a time in one fire. On the 29th, the stench had become so bad, the quit digging any more dead from under the ruins. All the inhabitants that were living, pitched their tents on the plains of Magitere. On the 4th of April, there was a very heavy shock that made the vessels tremble as if they had been on a reef of rocks in a heavy sea, and from on board the Independence we could see the mountains move like a ship in a heavy sea, and large peices rolling off them. At half past five the Independence sailed, so that we could not ascertain what damage had been done. C. H. B.
Recommended Citation
"“Earthquakes”" (1812). New Madrid Compendium Far-Field Database. 984.
https://digitalcommons.memphis.edu/cas-ceri-new-madrid-compendium/984
