The Stourbridge Observer, Cradley Heath, Halesowen & District Chronicle.
Stourbridge, West Midlands, England, 1883-09-29 00:00:00

EARTHQUAKE AT ACCRA WEST
AFRICA.

A correspondent residing at Accra, West Coast of
Africa, sends to the Daily Telegraph the following
particulars of the recent earthquake at that place :
" It was at 2.0 a.m. on the morning of Sunday,
Aug. 12, that several shocks of earthquake were ex-
perienced. The evening previous had been cool, with
alternate periods of thick, hot air, which rather pre-
saged a thunderstorm, it being the season of the year
when tornadoes pass over the coast. This town, the
capital and seat of government of the colony, is
situate on the seashore, which is almost gntirely sandy,
except here and there, where a cluster of dark
rocks showing evident signs of volcanic crigin juts
into the sea. An angry surf prevails all along the
coast, lashing the shore with great fury, and especially
encircling the rocky promontories above mentioned.
On the night in question it was observed that the surf
was particularly violent until half an hour vrior to
the first shock, when the water seemed to subside and
become comparatively calm. I noticed this fact,
because it happened that I was suffering from a
slight attack of coast-fever, and was unable to sleep.
My first impression on hearing the house rattle in so
unusual a manner was that a forcible attempt was
being made to burst open the doors and win-
dows by persons outside, but before there was time
to strike a light a second and more violent
sh,ck followed, shaking the foundations. In
each case the shock was preceded by an explo-
sion resembling in a great degree the sound
usually caused by the discharge of a gun from
ships lying in the roadstead. In the native villages
around the town the greatest consternation was
caused. The native houses' which had been but a
few moments before shrouded in darkness, were soon
ablaze with light, and the occupants, who have un-
pleasant recollections of what occurred in 1863 and
1873, immediately huddled together in the open
streets, chattering, crying, shouting and praying.
Several of the houses' which are all built in a shaky
manner, succumbed at the second shock, but no loss of
life occurred. Christianeborg Castle, which in 180 I
was wrecked by an earthquake at the same time of
year, felt the force of the disturbance severely. The
Governor, Sir Samuel Rowe, who was sleeping on
the upper floor, had barely time to descend into the
courtyard before the heaviest shook occurred.
"Several of the castle walls and those of the neigh-
bouring European houses were found to be cracked
the next day. The critical phase lasted, as far as could
be calculated, from thirty to forty seconds. During
the period-2.30 to 3.30 a.m.—there was a variation of
temperature of 3 deg.—viz., from 71 deg. to f 4 deg.,
and vice versd. In this interval the wind had com-
pletely died away, the atmosphere being hot and al-
most stifling.
"The natives, of whom about 2000, inhabit the
adjacent village, kept up a continuous bebbel, which I
afterwards learnt was addressed to the ' Fetiches ' to
whom, from all accounts, we are indebted for being
let off so lightly, and for being as soon and so easily
rid of 'Judgment Day' as the natives naively describe
an earthquake. It was very difficult to trace the
direction of the earthquake, but my own opinion is
that it travelled from the south-west, and this is
somewhat confirmed by the reports since received
from that quarter. Small shockti were repeated at
intervals of one hour till seven o'clock in the morning,
and on two days since the 12th slight tremours have
been felt, but not of sufficient power to do much
damage.

"Personally I must own that my sensations on the
nizht of the 12th were not of the pleasantest. The
underground commotion and the rattle of the fund.
ture, tbe chorus of native shouts and palavering that
was suddenly wafted across the lagoons in the dead of
night, the quick variations of temperature, and the
alternative calm and fury of the sea, all contributed to
render the scene a peculiar one, to say the least of it ;
and to be unceremoniously turned out of a feverit.h
bed into night air teeming with climatic miasma was
exceedingly objectionable. All domestic animals were
vildly excited, and showed signs of great alarm
Since the event the weather has become remarkably
cool, considering our proximity to the Equator,_ the._
-average-temperatures being:ziight and morning 72
deg., Bun 97 deg,, shade 86 deg."

Direct telephonic communication is now in opera.
tion between Berlin and Magdeburg, about a hundred
English miles distant.