The Stourbridge Observer, Cradley Heath, Halesowen & District Chronicle.
Stourbridge, West Midlands, England, 1880-08-21 00:00:00

THE EARTHQUAKES AT SMYRNA.

A correspondent of the Journal de Genve at Smyrna sends
some further particulars of the effect of the earthquake of
July 28 and 29 in Smyraft and the surrounding country.
Writing on August 3 and 4, the correspondent
says that nearly all the inhabitants of the place whose
means permit them to do so, fearing that the shocks
have not yet finally ceased, are living under canvas
in the fields and vineyards, or on board ship in the
harbour. Those who, by reason of poverty, are com-
pelled to stay in the town, remain in their cracked
houses as if nothing had happened, and resign.them-
selves with true Mahomedan sang froid to whatever
may befall. Further investigation shows that the first
accounts of the damage caused by the earthquakes
were by no means exaggerated. It is, in truth, enor-
mous. Many buildings that were thought not to be
seriously injured are damaged beyond possibility of
repair, and their demolition has been ordered by the
municipal authorities. On the representation of the
architects that the dome is so badly shaken as to be in
imminent danger of falling, the largest mosque in
Smyrna, the Issar-Djami, has been closed by order of
the Governor-General, and several extensive buildings
in Franque-street are being raised.
The district which has suffered the most is, how-
ever, undoubtedly that of Menemen. The official
report, written on the morrow of the catastrophe,
states that of the 1,140 houses composing the town
445 were entirely ruined and 220 rendered uninhabit-
able. All the mosques, seven in number, were badly
damaged, and the Greek Church was likely to col-
lapse. Six persons were killed and 31 hurt. An
hour's distance from Menemen the earth opened in
160 (sic)different places, and only closed after vomiting
for three hours greenish-coloured water, which flooded
the plain.
Six villages in the neighbourhood of Menemen,
each containing about 150 houses, have been com-
pletely destroyed ; in the whole of them not more
than six buildings are left standing. The villagers,
as well as many inhabitants of Menemen, are living
in the vineyards. The number of killed and wounded,
which must be considerable, is not given. It was
probably unknown to the authorities themselves at
the time of the writing of the report. . .

According to other accounts contained in private
letters from the same region, the river Hermus has
sunk a metre below its ordinary level. In one place a
thrashing floor disappeared in the earth, and from the
orifice rushed forth a torrent of water' cold and
brackish, and though the sea is several kilometres dis-
tant, abounding in marine plants. A river flowing
from the side of one of the mountains of the Gipyla
ramce has lost four-fifths of its water, while two
springs near Bournabat, which formerly supplied the
village, but had been for many years dry, are now
producing moie water than ever. During the earth-
quakes, and for some time after, the waters of Kara
Gad (the Lake Tantalus of the ancients) rose in great
waves, and were tossed about like a mimic sea in a
high wind. The oscillations were felt also at Aidin,
Denisli, Mougla, Socchia, Cutzarli, Baindir,
Vourla, Tchesm6, and the islands.
On the night of August 4 (9.15 p.m.) another strong
shock, preceded by subterranean noises, was fek
at
Smyrna. People who were still in the town left their
houses and passed the night in the open air.