THE EARTHQUAKE AT ST. THOMAS.

Hawke's Bay Herald, Volume 12, Issue 906, 4 January 1868, Page 3

THE EARTHQUAKE AT ST. THOMAS.

The following additional particulars are from the Stem* and Her old ; — Throughout the entire night shocks of earthquake of more or less severity were constantly recurring. Towards morning they appeared to gain new strength, and were again continuous throughout the day and following night. The steamship La Plata, belonging to the R.M.S.P. Co., had a very narrow escape. She was met by the great wave as she lay off Peters Island. Her commander, Captain Revett, fearing that she would have sustained some injury, and thereby be unable to withstand a similar shock, ordered the crew to take to the boats and put the passengers ashore. ' This was effected with all possible speed — the officers and crew doing their duty like Englishmen. The passengers were severally domiciled by the kindness of the Governor of the Island, by Mr. Cameron, the agent of the company, by Mrs. Sampson, and other of the inhabitants. On the morning of the 19th the La Plata was seen to steam slowly and cautiously into the harbor and take up her position at the coaling station of the company. The negroes who always coal the steamers, still subjected to the panic of the previous day, refused to work for any rate of wages. In this dilemma, nothing was left but to act promptly, and the captain immediately set the crew to work to commence coaling, and by seven o'clock the following morning she steamed out of St. Thomas on her way to Jamaica, carrying with her hearts full of thankfulness and gratitude. At the time of the first shock of earthquake the La Plata was at Peters Island receiving coals from two vessels, one on either side. These were driven ashore by the force of the wave, thus enabling the La Plata to put out to sea. On the 20th the La Plata had to steam into St. Thomas harbor, where she received 220 tons of coals, put in by her crew. A complimentary address was presented to Capt. Revett and the officers of the La Plata by the passengers at sea on the 22nd inst. Prom the Gleaner, of Kingston, we gather the following additional particulars : — On the 18th the day was clear, fine, and in no way unusual. Barometer 30.03 ; Thermometer 81, when, without the least warning, at about 3 p.m., a most fearful shock of earthquake occurred, lasting one hundred and five seconds. It was followed by the great earthquake sea roller about 50 feet in height. Ten minutes after the first shock, another smart earthquake occurred, followed by the great sea roller. Ship after ship was dashed ashore or against each other. The iron wharf of the Liverpool Steam Compan3 r was swept away as if it never existed. Vessels driven ashore by the late hurricane were taken out to sea. Boats were destroyed, and many lives were lost. Two American war steamers were very much injured. The li. M. Co's tug steamer was swallowed up, and two engineers lost. Forty-one hours after the first shock, at 8 a.m. on the 20th, when the La Plata left, seventy distinct shocks had been felt. Two of the La Plata's boats were lost, and somcof her planking, rails, &c. were damaged. She also lost two anchors, and some chains.