DEPARTMENT OF THE INTBBIOE

BULLETIN

UNITED STATES

GEOLOGICAL SURVEY

No. 161

WASHINGTON

GOVERNMENT PRINTING- 'OFFICE 

1899

UNITED STATES GEOLOGICAL SURVEY

CHARLES D. AVALCOTT, DIRECTOR

EARTHQUAKES IN CALIFORNIA

1898

BY

CHARLES D. PERRIIsTE

ASSISTANT ASTRONOMER IN CHARGE OF EARTHQTJA3CE OBSERVATIONS 

AT THE LICK OBSERVATORY

WASHINGTON

GOVERNMENT "PRINTING OFFICE 

1899

CONTENTS

Page.

Letter of transmittal........................................................ 9

Introduction................... ............................................ 11

Instruments.............................. ...... ........................ 11

Scale of measurements................................................... 12

Differences of intensity ................................................. 12

Stations ................................................................ 14

The magnifying ratios of seismographs.................................. 14

Chronological record, 1898......................... .......................... 15

Index of places ............................................................. 31

ILLUSTRATIONS.

Pago. 

PLATE I. Record of three components, Ewing seismograph at Berkeley, April

14, 1898, about 11 p. m., Pacifij standard time ................... 24

FIG. 1. Record by the duplex seismograph at Berkeley, April 14,1898, about

11 p. in., Pacific standard time.................................... 25

2. Earthquake of April 14,1898, at Alameda; earth's motion magnified

five diameters .................... .............................. 26

7

LETTER OF TRANSMITTAL.

UNIVERSITY OF CALIFORNIA,

LICK OBSERVATORY, 

Mount Hamilton, March 30,1899.

DEAR SIR : I send you herewith Mr. Perrine'.s report of earthquakes 

for the year 1898, in continuation of the series published by the Geological Survey.

Yours very truly, JAMBS E. KEELBR,

Director. 

Hon. CHARLES D. WALOOTT,

Director United States Geological Survey.

9

EARTHQUAKES IN CALIFORNIA IN 1898.

By CHARLES D. PERRINE.

INTRODUCTION.

N

The following paper is a continuation of similar records 1 furnished 

by officers of the Lick Observatory, and completes the list up to the 

end of 1898. It records all the shocks observed or felt on Mount Hamilton, and all those reported to the Lick Observatory by letter, as well 

as newspaper reports of such earthquakes as occurred in the State 

during the year.

It also includes a number of shocks in various localities on the Pacific 

coast which it was thought might not have 'been recorded in other 

reports. Ko systematic examination of newspapers has been made, 

however, and some reports of earthquakes may have escaped notice.

INSTRUMENTS.

The instruments used for recording earthquakes on Mount Hamilton 

are described in Publications of the Lick Observatory, Vol. I, p. 82. 

The largest and most complete instrument records the north-and-soiith, 

east-and-west, and vertical components of the earth's motions separately on a smoked glass plate, which is started by the preliminary 

tremors of the earthquake and rotates in about three minutes, the edge 

of the plate being graduated into seconds by the clock, which also 

serves to record the time of occurrence of the shock. This instrument 

has been called the Ewing seismograph in the notes. Another form 

consists of the heavy duplex pendulum adjusted to a long period of 

vibration, with a magnifying pointer or pen which records on a smokedglass plate both horizontal components of the motion. The vertical 

component and the time are not recorded. The motion of the earth

1 List of recorded earthquakes in California, Lower California, Oregon, and Washington Territory, 

from 1769 to 1887, \>j Edward S- Holton, Sacramento, State Printing Office, 1887. Earthquakes in California in 1888, by Edward S. Holden: Am. Jour. Sci., 3d series, Vol. XXXVII, May, 1889. Earthquakes 

in California in 1889, by James E. Keeler: Bull. U. S. Geol. Survey No.68,1890. Earthquakes in California in 1890 and 1891, by Edward S. Holden: Bull. TJ. S. Geol, Survey No. 95, 1892. Earthquakes in 

California in 1892, by Charles D. Perrine: Bull. TJ. S. Geol. Survey No. 112,1893. Earthquakes in California in 1893, by Charles D. Perrine: Bull. TJ. S. Geol. Survey No. 114,1894. Earthquakes in California in 1894, by Charles D. Perrine: Bull. TJ. S. Geol. Survey No. 129,1895. Earthquakes in California 

in 1895, by Charles D. Perrine: Bull. TJ. S. Geol. Survey No. 147, 1896. Earthquakes in California in 

1896 and 1897, by Charles D. Perrine: Bull. TJ. S. Geol. Survey No. 155,1898.

11
12 EARTHQUAKES IN CALIFORNIA IN 1898.

is magnified 4.6 diameters in the duplex seismometers. The Observatory possesses other seismographs of various patterns, but they are not 

constantly in use.

i SCALE OF MEASUREMENTS.

In the record made by the Ewing seismograph both the horizontal 

components are magnified about 4 diameters, and the vertical component 

is magnified 1.8 diameters. The measures of the vibrations as given 

in the notes are taken directly from the tracings, and therefore represent the magnified motion, unless otherwise mentioned.

If both the period (T) and the amplitude (a) of an earthquake wave 

are given, the inaxiinuVn acceleration due to the impulse which may be 

taken as the measure of the intensity (I), or destructive effect of the 

shock, is given by the formula 

.4 7T2 a

in which the motion is assumed to be harmonic.

DIFFERENCES OF INTENSITY.

Estimates of the intensity of shocks are given also (in Eoman 

numerals inclosed in parentheses) according to the Eossi-Forel scale, 

which for convenience of reference is inserted below. Experience has 

suggested that for observations in California a few additions should be 

made to this scale, and these are printed here in italics. When these 

are in quotation marks also they are expressions actually used in newspapers, etc., in describing earthquake shocks whose intensity is otherwise known. The scale as amended is as accurate as anything of the 

kind can be.

I.

Microseismic shocks recorded by a single seismograph, or by seismographs of the same model, but not putting seismographs of different 

patterns in motion ; reported by experienced observers only.

II.

Shocks recorded by several seismographs of different patterns; 

reported by a small number of persons at rest: u a very light shock."

III.

Shock reported by a number of persons at rest ; duration or direction 

noted: "a shock;" "a light shock."

IV.

Shock reported by persons in motion; shaking of movable objects, 

doors, and windows, cracking of ceilings; "moderate;1 ' "strong;" 

"sharp;" (sometimes) "light."
PEKRINE.J SCALE OF INTENSITY. 13

v.

Shock felt generally by every one; furniture shaken; some bells rung; 

some clocks stopped; some sleepers waked: "smart;" "strong;" 

"heavy;" "severe;" "sharp;" "quite violent."

VI.

General awakening of sleepers; general ringing of bells; swinging 

of chandeliers; stopping of clocks; visible swaying of trees; some r>ersons run out of buildings; window glass broken: "severe;" "very 

severe;" "violent."

VII.

Overturning of loose objects; falling of plaster; striking of church 

bells; general fright, withput damage to buildings; nausea felt: "violent;" "very violent."

VIII.

Falling of chimneys; cracks in the walls of buildings.

I.. 

Partial or total destruction of some buildings.

..

Great disasters; overturning of rocks; fissures in the surface of the 

ground; mountain slides.

The relation between the intensity of a shock as determined by the 

formula already given and the numbers of the Bossi-Forel scale has 

been reduced from all available data up to 1888 by Professor Holden, 

and is given below in tabular form. It is, of course, a rough approximation only:

Intensity, Roasi-JTorol scale.

I...... ....................... ....

n......... ........................

IU. ................. ...............

IV.................................

v....................... ..........

VI.................................

VII.................................

VIII.................................

IX.................................

Intensity, 

millimeters 

per second.

20

40

60

80

110

150

300

500

1,200

Difference.

20

20

20

40

150

200

One of the objects of the earthquake observations on Mount Hamilton is to obtain data for correcting this table, so that the intensity (I) 

of a shock, as defined mathematically by the formula

(where V is the maximum velocity of the vibrating particle), can be 

inferred from the ordinary description of its effects.
14 EARTHQUAKES IN CALIFORNIA IN 1898.

STATIONS.

A number of duplex-pendulum seismographs, quite similar to the 

one used at the Lick Observatory, are placed at different points on the 

Pacific coast, but they are not all in operation. The stations are:

Students' Observatory, Berkeley, in charge of Professor Leuschner.

Ohabot Observatory, Oakland, in charge of Mr. Burckhalter.

Private observatory of Mr. Blinn in East Oakland.

Observatory of the University of the Pacific, San Jose, in charge of 

Professor Curtis.

Observatory of Mills College, near Oakland, in charge of Professor 

Keep.

Office of State Weather Bureau, Carson, Kev., in charge of Professor 

Friend. , 

Alameda, Gal,, at the residence of Mr. P. Perrine.

Esquimault, British Columbia, at the Meteorological Station, Mr. E. 

Baynes Eeed in charge.

Tacoma, Wash., at the residence of Mr. F. G. Plummer. (Mr. Plummer's seismograph is not a duplex.)

The reports of the United States Weather Bureau and of the United 

States Light-House Board should be consulted in this connection, as 

they record disturbances felt at their stations, which may not be 

included in this list.

THE MAGNIFYING RATIOS OF SEISMOGRAPHS.

For a discussion of this subject and the derivation of the necessary 

formulae, see Bulletin No. 155 of the United States Geological Survey, 

page 12.
CHRONOLOGICAL RECORD, 1898.

January 1, SANTA ROSA. Two distinct shocks of earthquake, the 

most severe which have been felt here for many years, awoke the residents of this city and vicinity shortly after 5 o'clock this morning. The 

shocks were of about twenty-five seconds' duration, and the vibrations 

were from west to east. No damage has been reported. Sau Francisco 

Chronicle, January 2,1898.

February 7. MOUNT HAMILTON. Oh 38m 3s a. m., Pacific standard 

time. A single tremble at above time; after an interval of 2s two rather 

long waves north and south, lasting 1£8 to 2s. Rossi-Forel I and II. 

Second story of brick dwelling. 0. D. P.

The duplex instrument has considerable " creep," but the shock is 

discernible as a single line lmm long nearly northeast and southwest.

March 7. PACIFIC OCEAN, midway between Mazatlan and Hawaiian 

Islands. April 2, Captain Larsen, of the barkentine Portland, reported 

to the branch hydrographic office to-day that four distinct shocks of 

earthquake were felt by him on March 7. The observations were made 

about halfway between Mazatlan and the Hawaiian Islands. The first 

shock, at 10.12 p. m., Greenwich mean time, was very severe and lasted 

twenty seconds. Exactly half an hour later a milder shock was felt, 

and there were two more during the afternoon. The weather was 

nearly calm. Sau Francisco Examiner, April 3,1898.

March 17. HIGHLAND SPRINGS. There was the sharpest earthquake felt for years here at midnight last night. The vibrations were 

from west to east, and lasted fully a minute. No damage was done. 

San Francisco Bulletin, March 17, 1898.

March 30. The heaviest shock of earthquake in California since the 

severe one of April, 1892, occurred in the night of March 30 of the 

present year. The greatest disturbance was felt at the Mare Island 

Navy-Yard, Vallejo, and Benicia. The shock was very heavy in all of 

the bay counties, although little actual damage was reported outside 

of the places mentioned above. At the navy-yard a number of buildings were partially destroyed and much damage done to the machinery. 

After a survey the commanding officer of the yard estimated the 

damage at $342,000. Besides this there would be needed repairs to 

the extent of several thousand dollars in a number of the towns in the 

disturbed area. In San Francisco a number of chimneys were cracked 

and some masonry fell from several buildings. The only building 

seriously injured was one at 445 Clementina street, which partially collapsed owing to the underpinning giving way. The Girls' High School

15
16 EARTHQUAKES IN CALIFORNIA IN 1898.

was damaged to the extent of $2,000, the wall on the north side of the 

building under the roof having been displaced nearly 2 inches. The 

plastering was cracked in different parts of the building. The Whittier 

School, on Harrison street near Fourth, was considerably injured by 

the earthquake, owing principally to the fact that the building stood 

partly on made ground. The cost of the repairs on this building was 

estimated at $3,000. Chimneys on the Jefferson and -Deuinan schools 

were twisted to such ah extent as to require rebuilding.

MOUNT HAMILTON. 11 h 42m 22s to 11" 43m 2s p. m. Duration, forty 

seconds. Light tremors in all azimuths for first 12s to 15s ; then heavy 

waves for 10" to 15s, followed by light tremors. The greatest motion 

was northeast and southwest Rossi-Forel V. In the second story of 

brick dwellings doors and windows rattled, although not loudly; walls 

creaked. Waves generally slow. The duplex seismograph gave a complicated record of motions in all azimuths, the greatest disturbance 

being northeast and southwest, 24inra by 15mm at right angles.

Heaviest shock at 11 u 42m 45s Pacific standard time. The meridian 

circle building quivered and the walls creaked for half a minute preceding the heaviest tremor, which was estimated of four seconds' duration. The observing clock on the west wall of the room stopped 

entirely. Of the five clocks, Dutch clock No. 8 on east face of its pier, 

pendulum swinging nearly north and south (magnetic), stopped for 

twenty-six seconds and then continued running. But No. 4, No. 1, 

and No. 7, all on east faces of respective piers, and No. 3, on north 

wall of clock room, continued to run without interruption. There is no 

evidence of permanent disturbance in the adjustments of the meridian 

circle. R. H. Tucker.

BERKELEY. 11 b 42m 268 p. m., Pacific standard time. The seismographs at the Students' Observatory gave a complete record of the 

shock. The following particulars of the shock as felt in Berkeley are 

extracted from an article on "The Earthquakes of March 30 and April 

14," by Professor Teuschner, published in the University Chronicle 

No. 2,1898.

"The earthquake of March 30, according to the consensus of opinion, 

was the severest experienced in this vicinity since the great earthquake 

of October 21,1868 The records of the Students' Observatory begin 

August 11,1887, under the direction of Prof. Frank Soule, and this is 

the most severe recorded. The large astronomical clock in the Students' Observatory was stopped at exactly llh 42m 26s Pacific standard 

time; but it is difficult to say just how many seconds after the beginning of the disturbance this occurred. Mr. Scares noted the time of 

disturbance at llh 42m 44s, which he estimates to have been fifteen 

or twenty seconds after the sharpest part of the shock. * * * The 

greatest east-west and north-south displacements in the Duplex record 

correspond to actual displacements of the ground of 0.53 inch (13mm ) 

and 0.63 inch (16mm ). The corresponding figures from the Ewing seis-
PBRBINE.I CHRONOLOGICAL RECORD. 17

raograph are 0.35 inch (9mm ) and 0.73 inch (19rara ). The maximum vertical displacement, as recorded on the Ewing, was 0.8L inch (21mm )."

ALAMEDA. ll h 42m p. in. Mr. Perriue's seismograph gave a record 

which is remarkable for its extent. A plate 4 by 5 inches was used, the 

pen when at rest not being in the center, but about an inch to one side. 

The excursions of the pen extend almost over the entire plate, and on 

the two nearer sides much of the record is lost. It is estimated that 

if the pen when at rest had been in the center of the plate that some 

of the longer excursions even then would have carried the pen off the 

plate. The record is a mass of lines in all directions, as is to be expected 

from the great duration of the shock.

COLLEGKE PARK. llu 42m 358 p. m. " The shock at College Park 

was very long and quite severe, but lacked intensity, perhaps, and so 

did comparatively little damage. Before I could rise and light a lamp 

to see my watch I had counted fifty-six seconds, and the building was 

still shaking violently and continued seven or eight seconds longer. 

As I may not have awakened at the first shock, I am certain that the 

shock lasted nearly sixty-five seconds here. I made the time about llu 

42m 35s Pacific standard time. The direction as given by the seismograph was mainly east and west." H. D. Curtis.

A print of the record at College Park shows an area of 3 by 4 inches 

well filled with lines, much of the record evidently extending beyond 

these limits.

CARSON CITY, NEV. llh 45m p. m. Professor Friend sends a tracing 

from the duplex seismograph, showing an area of 13mm diameter completely filled with lines.

MILLS COLLEGE. ll h 44m p. m. Professor Keep sends a tracing 

from the duplex seismograph which shows the disturbance to have 

been a severe one. An area of 3 inches in diameter is thickly strewn 

with lines, and it is evident that all of the excursions are not contained 

therein.

ANTIOCH. The earthquake last night was the heaviest ever felt in 

this vicinity. San Francisco Examiner, April 1.

AUBURN. There was not the slightest evidence of an earthquake 

here last night. San Francisco Examiner, April 1.

BENICIA. About 11.40 last night a heavy shock of earthquake 

occurred here, the severest since 1868. The worst damage was at the 

cannery of W. R. Hume & Co. The cannery stands on piles on the 

water front. Cans, tin, boxes, bricks, and a part of the chimney were 

piled up promiscuously. The damage will probably be from $400 to 

$500. No damage was done to the buildings in the arsenal or barracks. San Francisco Examiner, April 1.

BOLINAS. The mostsevere earthquake shock ever experienced in this

city occurred to-night at 11.43 o'clock. It was of seventeen seconds

duration. The vibrations were from north to south and the shocks short

and sharp. Clocks in many residences were stopped, goods thrown

Bull. 161 2
18 EARTHQUAKES IN CALIFORNIA IN 1898.

from store shelves, and chimneys in all parts of the town shaken from 

roofs. The chimney on one residence was hurled a distance of 20 feet. 

No loss of life is reported. San Francisco Call, March 31.

COLUSA. A heavy shock of earthquake was felt at 11.45 last night, 

but no damage.is reported in this or neighboring towns. San Francisco Bulletin, March 31.

LODI. There was a severe earthquake here just before midnight. 

Frame buildings shook and quivered alarmingly. Two distinct shocks 

were felt. There was no damage. San Francisco Examiner, April 1.

MARTINBZ. At 11.42 last night this town experienced the worst 

earthquake since 1868. The vibrations were northeast to southwest 

and lasted forty seconds. About 5 o'clock this morning there was 

another slight shock. Chimneys were shaken from houses last night 

and contents of stores thrown to the floor. The library building, a 

brick structure, was cracked. The worst damage is to the court-house, 

which was built in 1856. The north wall was cracked in several 

places. San Francisco Examiner, April 1.

MONTEREY, PACIFIC GrROVB, DEL MONTE. A decided earthquake 

shock was felt here [Monterey], at Del Moute, and at Pacific Grove last 

night. It was more severe at Del Monte than elsewhere. No damage 

is reported. San Francisco Examiner, April 1.

MODESTO. Two .distinct shocks were felt here. There was no 

damage. San Francisco Examiner, April 1.

NAPA. The first motion was from north to south and then from east 

to west. It was one continuous shock, with no break except a general 

increase in intensity and then a decline. No serious damage was done, 

except that the stocks of grocery stores and drug stores were badly 

mixed up, and windows.were broken all along the line of the main street. 

The shock far exceeded the heavy shock of 1891, which established a 

record. San Francisco Chronicle, March 31.

The heaviest earthquake shock ever experienced in the Napa Valley 

was that of to-night. The shock lasted fully one minute. The hands 

of the electric clock stopped at 16 minutes to 12 o'clock.

Many people say that at the time of the shock they saw a bright light, 

not unlike a flash of lightning, in the northeastern heavens, and then 

came the sound as if a great explosion had taken place.

There/was no serious damage done here, so far as could be ascertained to-night, but windows were broken in many buildings, plastered 

walls were badly shaken, and several chimneys came tumbling down 

when the shock was heaviest.

A large wine tank at Migliazacca's wine cellar was badly damaged.

At the State Asylum for the Insane the long shock aroused everybody, but perfect order was maintained among the hundreds of patients, 

although they were badly frightened. No damage was done except 

that the plastering in some of the rooms was broken up and a few bricks 

were thrown out of place. San Francisco Examiner, March 31.
PEERING.] CHRONOLOGICAL RECORD. 19

POET COSTA. The earthquake shock here was Jong continued and 

very heavy. Everybody appeared to have taken to the streets. Bottles were broken in saloons and windows were shattered in stores. As 

there are no high buildings in the town, no damage was done to such 

property. San Francisco Chronicle, March 31.

BENICIA. There was felt here, about ten minutes before midnight, 

an earthquake which old residents declare the most severe since the 

one in 1868. No damage is known to have been done. As the street 

lights were all out, the, condition of windows in the business portion 

could not be seen. San Francisco Chronicle, March 31.

PET ALUM A. The damage done by the earthquake is estimated at 

$10,000. Fully 300 chimneys have to be rebuilt. The brick tower of 

the Carbon Currier Silk Mills was damaged to the extent of $500. The 

city hall was also damaged. Nearly all the plate-glass windows in the 

business portion of the town were broken. San Francisco Examiner, 

April 1.

SONOMA. Considerable damage was done in both town and valley 

by the earthquake. Chimneys fell and broke and stone walls were 

cracked. The show windows in Clewes' store were broken and the 

south side of the large building is seamed and cracked to an alarming 

extent. Sonoma Valley Bank building is badly fractured and the 

vault seriously damaged. The chimney on the handsome residence of 

William McElroy fell. The high-school building was also badly cracked. 

A strange thing happened on the farm of Capt. H. E. Boyes. The 

water in a reservoir was lifted bodily and cast to one side, as though 

the reservoir was a washbowl, leaving it dry. San Francisco Examiner, April 1.

SANTA CRUZ. The earthquake, at 11.40 last night, awakened everybody in town and frightened many people. It was a veritable twister, 

but the damage was slight. There were two disturbances following 

each other almost immediately. San Francisco Examiner, April 1.

ST. HELENA. A peculiar phenomenon was witnessed by those who 

were outdoors at the time of the earthquake shock. Just before the 

earth began to tremble the sky was perfectly clear, but in an instant not 

a star was visible, the heavens being hidden from view by dark clouds. 

A low fog immediately drifted over the entire valley. San Francisco 

Examiner, April 1.

SUISUN. A prolonged shock of earthquake occurred here to-night at 

11.45 o'clock, and, although not so severe as the shocks of several years 

ago, was longer in duration. The vibrations seemed north and south, 

but the shake was so confusing that it was hard to determine the exact 

direction. San Francisco Chronicle, March 31.

SAN EAFAEL. The heaviest earthquake that Marin County has 

ever experienced occurred here at 11.44 o'clock to-night. It lasted fully 

fifteen seconds. In the town of San Eafael, when the first shock was 

felt, women and children rushed into the street praying for mercy.
20 EARTHQUAKES IN CALIFORNIA IN 1898.

Telegraph and telephone communication was interrupted for a time, 

but otherwise little damage was done. Fred Peterson, a night watchman, was lighting lamps at the first shock, and was thrown from the 

ladder on which he was standing and badly bruised. San Francisco 

Examiner, March 31.

The earthquake caused the earth to open in several places in the 

county road between Novato and Nicasio, forming miniature gorges 4 

and 5 inches wide and several feet deep. The damage in this town 

was slight. A trestle on the San Francisco and North Pacific Eailway, 

4 miles north of here, sank several inches and the rail was twisted. 

San Francisco Examiner, April 1.

SAN QUENTIN. During an exceptionally severe and long-continued 

earthquake felt here about 11.40 o'clock last night the rattling of the 

prison buildings could be heard a long distance away, but no sound 

came from the 1,400 convicts. All was unexpectedly quiet within the 

prison walls. No damage is known to have resulted to person or 

property. San Francisco Chronicle, March 31.

When the convicts were released from their cells this morning it 

was discovered that the earthquake had damaged the prison buildings 

to a greater extent than was at first estimated. The new prison hospital, which is built of brick, suffered the greatest damage. The walls 

of this building are cracked in several places. The old furniture factory, on whose top floor the gallows stands, swayed back and forth with 

the shock, and the guards who were stationed near by believed the 

building was going to topple over. San Francisco Examiner, April 1.

SACRAMENTO. At 11.38 o'clock to-night three slight shocks of earthquake were felt here. They were of an easy, undulating motion and 

seemed to be from southeast to northwest. Chandeliers were made to 

swing and doors to rattle, but no damage was done so far as heard 

from. San Francisco Examiner, March 31.

SAN JOSE. The earthquake shocks that occurred here to-night at 

11.42 were the most severe experienced in the history of the city. The 

tremors opened mildly and as they increased in severity many, especially women and children, became alarmed and ran, screaming, into the 

streets. The hallways in the Hotel Vendome,.the St. James, and other 

hotels presented a lively appearance as they filled with the guests, 

many of them half clad, rushing from their apartments toward the 

entrance. Numbers reached the outside of the building before the 

extraordinary long series of tremors closed and the fright was over. 

Hanging lamps of all kinds were swung violently, many clocks stopped, 

but there are no reports of any serious damage. San Francisco Chronicle, March 31.

SANTA EOSA. The heaviest shock of earthquake ever felt in this 

city occurred at 11.45 to-night. The vibrations lasted fully one and 

three-quarters minutes. Scores of people rushed into the streets from 

their houses, screaming and praying. Several women fainted, and for
PERR1NE.] CHRONOLOGICAL RECORD. 21

a time the greatest excitement prevailed. Heavy plate-glass windows 

in many business houses were broken, and throughout the city the 

plaster was shaken from walls and ceilings. In a room in the Roney 

building where some children were sleeping a huge piece of plaster 

fell from the ceiling, striking one of the children, a boy, and injuring 

him severely. Reports received here from all sections of the county 

state that the shock was severe everywhere, but as yet the damage is 

not known. Up to a late hour the streets were full of people, discussing the great shock! Few cared to again retire to their beds. San 

Francisco Examiner, March 31.

STOOKTON. The heaviest earthquake which has been felt in this city 

for years occurred at 11.43 to-night. Persons sleeping in the second 

stories were awakened by the motion. Windows rattled as if a high 

wind was blowing for about ten or fifteen seconds, when there was a 

calm of probably about forty-five seconds; then another quake occurred, 

but not nearly so heavy as the first. The first wave was from east to 

west, but the second appeared to be from southeast to northwest. While 

it is not positively known that much damage was done, the night watchman of the Sperry Flour Company, who was in the eighth story of the 

Union Mill at the time, stated that the building squeaked, and he 

believed it was going to fall. He had to catch hold of a beam to keep 

from being thrown from his feet. The Associated Press wire in the 

Morning Independent office was snapped, and communication was cut 

off for over an hour. The wave visited all parts of the city with about 

equal force. San Francisco Chronicle, March 31.

Five distinct earthquake waves swept over this city to-night at 11.39 

o'clock, following close after one another inside of two minutes. The 

vibration was from east to west, and the shocks were strong enough to 

stop the clocks on the walls, rattle dishes, and set chandeliers in motion. 

Those at work in the second and third stories of buildings felt the shock 

the strongest. Watchman Barber, on the eighth floor of the Union 

and Golden Gate Flouring Mill, said that it was hard to keep his equilibrium. Hanging lamps were started swinging, and the shocks were 

sufficiently severe to keep them swaying for five minutes. In portions 

of the State Hospital for the Insane the patients were awakened, but 

there was not sufficient fear expressed among them to cause any outcry. 

Wires were tangled up a bit, and an accident south of Stockton somewhere broke the circuit of the Associated Press leased wire, but another 

was substituted within half an hour. The temblor was the most severe 

felt in Stocktou for a good many years, and the telephone calls to newspaper offices showed that the people were generally awakened by the 

shock. No damage was reported, though some accounts of cracked 

walls have been received. San Francisco Examiner, March 31.

YALLEJO. The earthquake to night was one of the heaviest ever 

experienced in this city, and, so far as can be learned to-night, the 

damage will foot up nearly $100,000. At the Mare Island Navy-Yard
22 EARTHQUAKES IN CALIFORNIA IN 1898.

damage to the extent of $25,000 was done, demolishing the sawmill 

which was turning out material for repairing the war vessels now here, 

and will cause delay in the work. In the naval hospital there are 

about 50 patients. The building was badly shattered, but fortunately 

the walls did not collapse. The roof over the chief engineer's office 

was thrown to the ground, and the general storehouse was badly damaged. The residences of Rear-Admiral Kirkland and Pay Inspector 

Bacon were partially destroyed. None of the inmates were hurt. The 

water mains broke, and the supply of Vallejo was cut off. In Vallejo 

several stores were wrecked. Half a dozen fires were caused by 

lamps overturning, and the fire department was called out and kept 

busy. One woman was seriously burned, numerous chimneys were 

wrecked, and some narrow escapes are reported, but no casualties. 

The Bernard House suffered a loss of $1,000 in furniture and fixtures, 

and other places in proportion. San Francisco Examiner, March 31.

The earthquake of Wednesday night was accompanied by a grinding, 

crunching roar. People rushed in terror from their homes. The damage 

here resulted mostly in the breaking of bottles which were standing 

on shelves in the various stores. In private residences valuable chinaware and bric-a-brac were thrown from their shelves. The chimney at 

the Lazelle House fell, and five fires resulted from the overturning of 

lamps. In the public schoolhouses the damage was so great that no 

school was held to-day. Chimneys are down, blackboards are useless, and plastering has fallen in many places. Eight chimneys were 

destroyed. The damage to St. Vincent's church amounts to about 

$5,000. The belfry tower will have to be torn down and rebuilt. 

The eight pinnacles were twisted. Candlesticks and decorations on the 

altar were thrown to the floor. Most of the damage in South Vallejo 

resulted from the falling of chimneys. On the whole, the damage in this 

city will amount to° about $50,000. San Francisco Examiner, April 1.

WALNUT CREEK. A very severe earthquake was experienced in 

this vicinity last night, but no damage was done. Two cars which had 

been standing on the switch at Danville ran down the grade toward 

this place for about a mile and jumped the track. The agent telegraphed to Oakland for a wrecking crew to clear the track. San 

Francisco Examiner, April 1.

Eeports from Anaconda (Montana), Fresno, Los Angeles, San Diego, 

and Ukiah are to the effect that the shock was not felt at these points.

April 12. COLLEGE PARK. 4 p. m.

April 14. SAN FRANCISCO. 10h 53m p. m.; llh 7m p. m. There were 

two distinct shocks, the first at 10.53 and the second at 11.07, but they 

were of short duration and smooth and gentle, none of the ugly pitching and rocking which characterized the former shocks being noticeable. They were felt for miles around in the surrounding country, but 

no heavier than here. As far south as San Jose and up to Port Costa 

light shocks were noticed. Many people, remembering the violence of
PBRRINE.] CHRONOLOGICAL RECORD. 23

the last shocks, feared a repetition and hurried out of their houses, and 

the streets were soon filled with anxious citizens. As the excitement 

from the first shock was about dying out the second one came, but it 

created little apprehension. San Francisco Call, April 1.5, 1898.

Two slight shocks of earthquake were felt in the city last night. 

On the streets the shocks were not so noticeable. The first shock was 

several minutes before 11 o'clock, and the second, which was of longer 

duration but not so violent, followed 15 minutes later. A telephone 

inquiry developed the fact that the shocks were not felt at the Lick 

Observatory. They failed to make the slightest indication on the seismograph instrument there. A large glass was broken in a window on 

Sixth street. The shock stopped the clock in the Southern station. 

San Francisco Chronicle, April 15, 1898.

There were three distinct earthquake shocks last evening. All were 

short, none of them severe, and the area affected was circumscribed. 

The three shocks together did not last as long as the heavy shake of a 

fortnight ago, and to many it will be a surprise to learn that there was 

an earthquake at all. The first shock was at 10.46 and lasted about 

five seconds; another shock followed a minute later and the duration 

was about three seconds; the third shock was the most severe of the 

three and was of about seven or eight seconds' duration. So far as this 

city is concerned, from all accounts, it was most severe in the Mission. 

Many people ran into the street, fearing a repetition of the last shake. 

San Francisco Examiner, April 15, 1898.

EUREKA. Two earthquakes were felt here to-night, the first at 

10.50 and the second at 11.10. The latter was the heavier. A rumbling noise accompanied the shakes. The duration was ten seconds 

and the direction north and south. The big city clock stopped instantly, 

and the shake was the heaviest for many years in this county. San 

Francisco Examiner, April 15,1898.

OAKLAND. In Oakland two shocks were felt. The second was the 

most severe, but the only effect was to awaken sleepers and stop a few 

clocks. San Francisco Examiner, April 15,1898.

MENDOCINO. Great excitement and alarm prevailed here during 

last night and to-day because of a series of earthquakes, causing much 

damage to property in the town and vicinity. At about 10.30 last 

night a slight tremor was felt, but little attention was paid to it and 

but few felt it. At 10.48 a sharp and prolonged shock was felt, shaking the buildings in such a manner as to cause great alarm. In a few 

minutes another shock was felt, and at 11.05 came the worst of all, 

heavy and prolonged, causing people to rush from their houses in 

alarm. Knots of men, women, and children were soon formed at various points, waiting anxiously for what might be coming. Few who 

had left their houses would return. Large fires were quickly built and 

kept burning in the streets during the balance of the night, about 

which gathered the frightened populace. At short intervals during
24 EARTHQUAKES IN CALIFORNIA IN 1898.

the rest of the night and to day the earth has trembled with more or 

less violence. Much damage was caused to property in and near Meiidocino City. Among the business houses meeting with losses were the 

following: Brown & Gray, the Mendocino Hospital and Drug Company, C. O. Packard, Jarvis & Mchols, Eugene Brown, A. P. Luis, 

and the several hotels. Many houses had chimneys thrown down or 

cracked. There are not over half a dozen monuments in Evergreen 

Cemetery which were not thrown down or twisted around on their 

bases. Between Brown & Gray's corner and the Occidental Hotel, on 

Main street, the ground opened an inch wide for nearly 100 feet; in 

some places more. On the flat near the mill the ground opened for 200 

or 300 feet in a narrow seam.

LITTLE RIVER. At Little River hardly a chimney was left standing. On the stage road from Mendocino to Ukiah great damage was 

caused by trees falling in the road. In many places the whole roadbed 

along the grades fell away, while in other places the ground opened 

wide enough to thrust your arm in. At various points along the coast 

from Point Arena to Westport serious damage was done.

POINT ARENA. Earthquakes last night and this morning were the 

most severe ever felt here. Shock followed shock in quick succession, 

and the earth trembled continually until after daylight. Buildings 

swayed in a terrible manner, causing much alarml People rushed to 

the streets. (Some crockery was shaken from shelves, and milk pans 

and water vessels were emptied of their contents. The public-school 

building shows signs of the severe shaking, cracks in the ceiling indicating the force of the temblor.

At 1L o'clock the heaviest shock was felt at the light-house. The 

tower was cracked for several feet and the lights extinguished. The 

vibrations were from north to south. Aside from the damage mentioned little harm was done here. It was more severe north of here.

GREENWOOD. Greenwood was shaken to a great extent. Houses 

were lifted and thrown several inches out of place and their contents 

were turned over. Residents left their homes and remained in the 

fields until daylight. No one was hurt, but a number of ladies were so 

badly frightened that physicians had difficulty in restoring them to 

consciousness. Four houses were wrecked and a portion of the wharf 

was destroyed. Stages and other vehicles leaving the coast this morning 

for the interior were compelled to return, some of the roads having 

been rendered impassable. In places the country roads sunk several 

feet. Captains of vessels lying in the harbor here say they felt a grinding motion, as though their craft were upon the rocks.

The lumber yards present a strange sight. Stacked lumber is now 

scattered in every direction. No buildings in Point Arena collapsed, 

though brick structures were severely tested and plaster in hardfinished houses was scattered over the rooms. Two light shocks were 

felt this afternoon, and the people are uneasy lest last night's experience 

be repeated.
U. S. GEOLOGICAL 8URVEV

BULLETIN NO. 181 PL. I

RECORD OF THREE COMPONENTS, EWING SEISMOGRAPH, 1898, APRIL 14, ABOUT 11 P. M., PACIFIC STANDARD TIME.
CHRONOLOGICAL RECORD. 25

UKIAH. The earthquake last night was the most severe ever felt 

in Mendocino County. There were 22 distinct shocks in this city. 

The stage from Mendocino to this city was compelled to return to 

the former place this morning, owing to caves in the road, due to the 

earthquake.

FORT BRAGG. An earthquake was felt here at 11.05 o'clock last 

night, with vibrations from south to north, succeeded at 11.22 by a 

greater shock, which continued for fully 15 seconds, the vibrations 

being from west to east. These shocks were followed at intervals up 

to 6.15 a. m. to-day by 17 other shocks. A large fissure was made in 

the earth a mile from town. Many chimneys were demolished and considerable damage Avas done to property here and at other places along 

the coast. San Francisco Chronicle, April 16,1898.

BERKELEY. The following report of this earthquake in Berkeley 

was extracted from Professor Teuschner's article previously referred to:

"Its intensity at Berkeley was III on the Eossi-Forel scale. Two disEnd in

wFIG. 1. Record by the Duplex seismograph at Berkeley, April 14,1898, about 11 p. m., Pacific

standard time.

tinct shocks were felt by some persons in lower Berkeley, one several 

minutes before 11 the other several .minutes after 11 p. m., the total 

interval being about fifteen minutes. At the Students' Observatory 

only one shock occurred, as is definitely shown by the Ewing seismograph, but it is impossible to say to which of the two it corresponds. 

(See PI. I.) * * *

"The disturbance commenced with minute vibrations in all three 

components, which gradually increased in the north-south and the 

east-west components, reaching a first maximum in the east-west 

direction at thirty-seven seconds (reckoned from the beginning), and a 

second and principal one at seventy-two seconds. The principal disturbance in the north-south direction commenced at about thirty-two 

seconds and lasted to the fiftieth second. During this interval the 

intensest vibration occurred at 4.9 seconds, almost exactly from south 

to north. * * *
26 EARTHQUAKES IN CALIFORNIA IN 1898.

"By treating the displacement as belonging to a simple harmonic 

motion, the actual velocity of the ground at forty-nine seconds is 

found to be 0.47 inch (12mm ) per second, and its actual acceleration 1.29 

inches (33mm ) per second per second. * * *

" In a similar manner the velocity of the greatest westerly displacement, which occurred at about 72.7 seconds, is found to be 0.13 inch 

(3mm ) per second, the acceleration being 0.32 inch (8nu") per second per 

second. * * *

"The greatest displacements (irrespective of the time) were: For 

north-south, 0.34 inch (9mm ), and for east-west, 0.10 inch (3mm) from

FIG. 2. Seismograph record of earthquake of April 14, 1898, at Alameda. (Earth's motion magnified

5 diameters.)

the Ewing, and 0.43 inch (llmm ) and 0.11 inch (3mm ), respectively, 

from the Duplex instrument." (See fig. 1.)

MILLS COLLEGE. llh 5m p. m.

ALAMEDA. Mr. Perrine's seismograph gives a record of an extensive 

shock, the directions of the waves being clearly marked into east and 

west, north and south, and southeast and northwest. The record on 

the plate covers an area of 3 inches east aud west by 3£ inches north 

and south. (See fig. 2.)

COLLEGE PARK. llb 10m 39s.

April 18. PRAIRIE CAMP (MENDOOINO COUNTY). There were nine 

severe shocks, which caused the public school to shut down. San 

Francisco Chronicle, April 26, 1898.
PERKINE.] CHRONOLOGICAL RECORD. 27

April 25. ALBION, MBNDOCINO. Another severe earthquake was felt 

at Albion and Mendocino to-day. People rushed from their homes in 

affright at Albion. The ground cracked in a number of places in Meudocino and vicinity. The people on the coast have been very uneasy 

ever since the severe shocks on April 14 and 15. San Francisco Chronicle, April 26, 1898.

April 26. COLLEGE PARK. 10" 30ni p. m. ±. Recorded on seismograph and felt also. Explosion of Santa Cruz powder works?

May 2. COLLEGE PARK. 6h 2m a. m. Reported by H. D. Curtis.

SALINAS. Two distinct shocks of earthquake were felt here at 6.05 

this morning. The vibrations, which were from east to west, were very 

heavy and caused much alarm. Except for a few broken windows no 

damage was noted.

SANTA CRUZ. This morning Santa Cruz was visited by an earthquake. The shock was not very heavy and no damage was done. San 

Francisco Call, May 3,1898.

May 9. GILROY. A light shock of earthquake was felt here at about 

7 o'clock this morning. San Francisco Call, May 10, 1898.

May 20. MOUNT HAMILTON. 6h 48m 538 ± £8 a. m., Pacific standard 

time. Duration 1 second. J. M. Schaeberle.

COLLEGE PARK. 6h 49'" a. m. Reported by H. D. Curtis.

May 22. COLLEGE PARK. llh 15m a. m. " Caused the church to 

creak. Left a mark an eighth of an inch long on seismograph." H. D. 

Curtis.

May 29. SANTA BARBARA. ? 11 03m p. m. A slight shock of earthquake was felt here at 7.03 o'clock last evening. San Francisco Call, 

May 31,1898.

June 3. Los OLIVOS. 10h 20m p. m. A distinct shock of earthquake 

was felt throughout Santa Ynez Valley last night at 10.20. The vibration was from east to west. No damage was done. San Francisco Call, 

June 4,1898.

SANTA BARBARA. 10b 18m p. m. At 10.18 o'clock to-night the 

heaviest earthquake for some years was experienced here. The lateral 

movement was from east to west. San Francisco Call, June 4,1898.

June 8. POINT ARENA. llh 30m (a. m.) 1" (p. m.) Several earthquakes were felt here to-day, two severe ones at 11.30 and 1 o'clock. 

No damage. San Francisco Call, June 8,1898.

June 30. Los ANGELES. An earthquake shock was experienced in 

this city at 11.26 o'clock last night. The vibrations were from northeast to southwest, and were of two seconds' duration. No damage is 

reported. The shock was not felt by neighboring towns. Newspaper 

report.

At 12.28 to-night two earthquakes of a lively nature occurred in this 

city. The first was very mild, but the second was more pronounced. 

It was of the "lift-up and drop down with a thud" nature, and alarmed 

the people in the upper stories of high buildings. No damage has so
28 EARTHQUAKES IN CALIFORNIA IN 1898.

far been reported. The shocks were not felt in neighboring towns. 

Sau Francisco Examiner, July 1,1898.

July 19. MELROSE, ALAMEDA COUNTY. "Powder-mill explosion 

at Melrose this morning. Time observed by me at Oakland, my house, 

511 20m 4:1B ±2S a. m. Shock waked us all." A. H. Babcock.

August 7. SAN FRANCISCO. II 1 ' 57m a. m. A slight earthquake 

shock was felt in the city yesterday about 3 minutes before noon. The 

shock was of very short duration and was hardly noticeable. In the 

Western Addition it made windows rattle and doors creak, but so far 

no damage or loss has been heard of. The seismograph at the university observatory at Berkeley indicated a very slight shock, the force 

traveling directly north and south. The earthquake was not felt in 

Oakland. San Francisco Call, August 8, 1898.

No record on Mr. Perrine's seismograph in Alameda.

Two extremely slight earth quake, shocks were felt yesterday forenoon in this city. They were so feeble as to leave no record at all on 

the instrument which serves as a seismograph at the weather bureau. 

This register is a sort of combination barometer and thermometer, and 

is fairly sensitive to seismic disturbances, but it does not record a 

shake so slight as those of yesterday, which were unnoticed by nineteuths of the community. The first shock occurred at 11.57f o'clock 

a. m. by Observer Hamilton's watch, and it was little more than a faint 

jerk. About a second later there was a repetition of the jar. That 

was all there was to it. No meteorological phenomena preceded, 

accompanied, or followed the tiny tremblings. San Francisco Examiner, August 8,1898.

SAN FRANCISCO, OAKLAND, BERKELEY, ALAMEDA. A slight earthquake was felt in this city and at Berkeley, Oakland, and Alameda just 

before 12 o'clock yesterday. The disturbance was so slight that probably not more than one person in a thousand noticed it, and those who 

did had to be in the most favorable locations.

Prof. George Davidson did not know until last night that there had 

been an earthquake. He was in his study at the time of the temblor, 

but neither felt a jar nor heard the slightest rattle of delicately suspended metal trinkets that make a noise against his mirror at the 

slightest tremor of the building.

The shock was felt in Berkeley at 11.58 o'clock. It was more noticeable in the southwestern part of the town.

Mr. Keno, the Japanese assistant in charge of the Students' Observatory on the campus of the University of California, a man familiar with 

earthquakes in Japan and accustomed to note their slightest manifestations, was not aware that there had been an earthquake until someone 

told him. On being informed, he hastened to the observatory and found 

that both the seismographs there recorded a very slight earthquake, 

the movement having been from south to north and without any perceptible vertical motion. San Francisco Chronicle, August 8, 1898.
PEHUINB.] CHRONOLOGICAL RECORD. 29

August 12. ALAMEDA. Several vibrations, covering an area of 9mm 

east and west by 4IUIU north and south. Duplex seismograph. 

P. PEREINE.

MILLS COLLEGE. 6U 10m a. in. "A slight but distinct shock of 

earthquake was felt at this place about 6h 10m this morning. No considerable record was made by the seismograph." JOSIAH KEEP.

August 19. ALBION. 2h 30m p. m. Reported by Ealph B. Funk.

October 27. MOUNT HAMILTON. 2h 22m 248 p. m., Pacific standard 

time. Eossi-Forel II, northeast and southwest. Duration one to two 

seconds. 0. D. P.

2h 22m 258 p. m. Pacific standard time. Duration two seconds. 

Eossi-Forel II. E. H. T.

The duplex seismograph shows a single nearly straight line 5mm long, 

northeast and southwest. The pen was found at the northeast end of 

this mark.

November 5. MOUNT HAMILTON. 9h 9m 88 ± 5s p. m., Pacific standard time. "Battled stove; slightly shook floor of brick residence." 

J. E. K.

Duplex seismograph shows a straight mark 3mm long in a northeast 

and southwest direction. This mar-k resembles "creep."

November 19. MOUNT HAMILTON. llu 27m Ol8 a. m. "Three close 

vertical shocks, last two very light, first one fairly strong." W. W. 

Campbell.

llh 27m O9 a. in., Pacific standard time. Eossi-Forel II. Single vertical shock. C. D. P.

Yery slight mark on duplex seismograph.

December 5. PINOLE. There was a heavy explosion at the powder 

works at Pinole, Contra Costa County. It was timed by Mr. Everett 

Hayden, United States Navy, in the office of the Western Union Telegraph Company in San Francisco, as 3h 28 58s p. m., Pacific standard 

time.

The explosion was not noticed at Mount Hamilton.

December 7. ALAMEDA. 7h 38m 47* p.m., Pacific standard time. 

Eossi-Forel III or IV. Direction east and west. Duration four seconds. A grinding noise preceded the heaviest shock. C. D. P.

The duplex seismograph at Mr. Perrine's residence in Alameda 

shows a jagged irregular mark 3£mm northwest and southeast by l£lum 

at right angles.

INDEX TO PLACES.

Paga 

Alameda............................. 17,26,28,29

Albion..................................... 27,29

Anaconda, Montana........................ 22

Antioch.................................... 17

Auburn.................................... 17

Benicia .............................. 15-16,17,19

Berkeley.......................... 16-17,25-26,28

Bolinas .................................... 17-18

Carson City, Nevada....................... 17

College Park......................... 17,22,26,27

Colusa..................................... 18

Danville................................... 22

Del Monte.................................. 18

Eureka..................................... 23

Fresno..................................... 22

Port Bragg................................. 25

Gilroy...................................... 27

.Greenwood................................. 24

Highland Springs.......................... 15

Little River................................ 24

Lodi..........:........................... 18

Los Angeles ............................ 22,27-28

Los Olivos................................. 27

Mare Island.......................... 15-16,21-22

Martinez................................... 18

Melrose.................................... 28

Mendocino.............................. 23-24,27

Mills College............................ 17,26,29

Mount Hamilton..................... 15,16,27,29

Page. 

Modesto.................................... 18

Monterey.................................. 18

Napa....................................... 18

Oakland ................................... 23,28

Pacific Ocean .............................. 15

Pacific Grove.............................. 18

Petaluma.................................. 19

Pinole ..................................... 29

Point Arena............................... 24,27

Port Costa................................. 19,22

Prairie Camp .............................. 26

Sacramento................................ 20

St. Helena................................. 19

Saliuas....'................................. 27

San Diego ................................. 22 .

San Francisco..................... 15-16,22-23,28

San Jose................................... 20,22

San Quentin............................... 20

San Eafael................................. 19-20

Santa Barbara.............................. 27

Santa Cruz................................. 10,27

Santa Eosa.............................. 15,20-21

Sonoma.................................... 19

Stockton................................... 21

Suisun..................................... 19

Ukiah ..................................... 22,25

Tallejo............................... 15-16,21-22

Walnut Creek............................. 22

31