Submarine Earthquake in the Atlantic. —lntelligence reached Liverpool yesterday (December I) of the arrival at St. Helena of the barque Euphrosyne. Captain Christie reports that, on October 9, when in lat 26 deg. 36 min. S., long. 52 deg. 32 min. E., he experienced strong gales and squalls, with a tremendous confused sea running, with thunder and lightning from N.W., the barometer rising and falling two-thirds of an inch at each squall, the lowest drop being at 29.20. The topgallant yards and masts were seat down, and the vessel hove to for twenty hours under mizzen staysail, which was afterwards blown away. Captain Christie then bore away, and scudded under bare poles for four hours, the wind changing from E. to N.E., and from N.N.W. When the weather moderated, the masts and yards were sent np, sail set, and the vessel put on her voyage. At midnight, on the Bth and 9th of November, in latitude about 16 deg. 40 min. S., long. 4 deg. W,, the sky suddenly became overcast with dense black-looking clouds, and in all directions was heard a noise like distant cannonading, while the sea was very confused. The compass vibrated very much, and almost lost its polarity. Several large meteors shot out from the heavens, and the fish jumped out of the sea and struck against the sides of the ship, which trembled so that the rumbling could be distinctly felt as well as beard. The volcanic action of the sea continued during the night until sunrise, when the weather became clear and settled. There was a slight breeze all the time of the rambling from S.S.E., but there was no perceptible variation in either barometer. Captain Christie is of opinion that the vessel at the time of the noise was passing over some fearful submarine convulsion.
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Lyttelton Times, Volume XXXI, Issue 2592, 27 April 1869, Page 2
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302Untitled Lyttelton Times, Volume XXXI, Issue 2592, 27 April 1869, Page 2
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