THE EARTHQUAKE IN AMERICA.

Otago Daily Times, Issue 7075, 18 October 1884, Page 2 (Supplement)

THE EARTHQUAKE IN AMERICA.

The recent earthquake in the United States ia thus described by the Philadelphia correspondent of the Times, telegraphing on August 11:—"The earthquake yeaterday suddenly moved along the Alleghany mountains and their eastern slopes, from Virginia to Vermont, in a direction from south-west towards northeast, extending over the entire country from the mountains to tho ocp.an. The most southerly city iv which the shocks were noticed was Washington, and the most northerly Brattleborough, Vermont. Two distinct shocks, each of about two seconds' duration, with an interval of about four seconds, were generally felt; while in New York and further eastward a slight third shock wbs experienced a few minutes afterwards. Tho earthquake was observed at nine minutes past 2 o'clock in the afternoon at Philadelphia, and somewhat later to the eastward of this city. It was moat severe in New York City, Connecticut, and Boston. The vibration waa Blighter elsewhere. No lobß of life was caused except that one convict was frightened to death in Hartford Gaol, but general consternation was caused by the movement of the buildings on a quiet Sunday afternoon. The people everywhere rushed into the streets." Reuters telegram ofthe same date is to the following effect: —" The earthquake which occurred here yesterday afternoon extended along tho entire coast of the States of Maine and Maryland, and was felt eastward as far tho Alleghanies. Concordant accounts have been recoived from all the chief cities in the zone of territory affected. The severity of the shock was greatest at Hartford, in Con necticut, where several persons were thrown I down and bruised. In the poorer quarters of New York and other cities there was intense alarm among the inhabitants, who ran shrieking into the streets. The police had much difficulty in prevailing upon them to re enter their houses. The congregations rushed out of the churches, and tbe scholars from the Sunday-schools. Some places were threatened with a regular panic. The heaving movement of the earth caused chimneys to shake and bells to ring, and in many places ceilings were cracked. In Boston and Philadelphia there were similar scenes. The visitors from New York staying at the hotels in Longbranch, Coney Island, Long Island, and otber places, were greatly alarmed, and rushed excitedly from the dining-rooms, fearing a great calamity. The accounts from Boston report that there were cix distinct shockß at that place, the earth tremour causing large buildings to oscillate to an alarming degree. Altogether the earthquake is regarded aa the most serious that has occurred on the Atlantic seaboard during the present century. Its duration is estimated at from 10 to 15 seconds. At Philadelphia tbe water became agitated, and veaeela parted from their moorings, pitching as if in a heavy sea."