The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1842-05-29
Awful Destruction Of Life-Terrible Fart h
quake In the Island OF ST. Domingo.
From LIE Patriotic Of Port au Prince of 18th NAV !

4 n
,eived passing TO the east. The heat was excessive
md thick clouds hung over the neighboring noun
AIN, going In direction from the southeast to the
northeast. The seamen who in the roads re-
port that they ielt the shock before they saw the
houses shake which would indicate that the shock
came from the east. Many persons, however think
they observed that the oscillations came from the
north and went south
There were two very decided shock first
was not as long as the second the latter was the
most violent, and lasted about three minutes All
abandoned their houses, and the streets were filled
WIN the aifrghled population. But little more,
disaster similar TO that of ITO, fatal year. which
occurred to the minds of every one.
There is scarcely single brick or stone house
winch has not suffered damage; they all more
or less damaged Some, II is said, are scarcely
habltable. The FACADE of the Senate House, on
which is sculptured the arms of the Republic, sur
mounted by the tree of liberty were detached from
the edlfce, and broken into pieces by the fall The
interior OF the building has also received some
damage.
In the night, between Saturday and Sunday, two
shocks were again felt, but not violent the first
one at 10 o'clock, and the other at II. At ii
O'Clock in the morning OF Sunday came another
shock mass at church was interrupted, and those
officiating at 1t ran away, and many females
tainted.
Monday, at IL o'clock in the morning. another
shock.
The weather during these three DAYS had a lower
ing, and at times threatening appearance. Mon
day evening, little ram, with excessive heat be-
fore and afterwards night cool Tuesday change
of weather. return of the breeze, and appearance of
RAIN
In the evening, at eight o'clock, the weather was
stormy, and every thing seemed 10 indicate an
abundance of ram.
The hopes entertained yesterday have not been
realized. On Wednesday, we Were awoke at
few minutes before five in the morning by another
earthquake.
During these latter days it appears to us as if the
quakng.
SAINT MARc.-A letter from this town, which has
been communicated to us, informs us that there, too,
the earthquake OF Saturday last was felt with the
greatest violence many houses have been so much
shaken that they threaten every instant to fall down
On some plantations in THE neghborhood Of the
town very great damage has been done.
GoNAIvEs, 9Th May.-Yesterday afternoon an
earthquake was felt in this city, which was so vo-
lent that most of the houses in it were thrown
down. AT the same time, in consequence of the
shock, ire broke out IN the ,apothecarys shop of
Mr. lnvernezZes and consumed in few moments an
entire block. The flames destroyed every thing
that came IN their way; there not drop of
water In the town.
All the houses which have not been burnt down
have been njuredby the earthquakes, and this morn
ing the shocks every quarter of an hour. The
shops of Madame John Jouflerts and M Dupy have
fallen prey to the flames. The shops of NJ Rich
ard Dauphn and M Oster built of stone and brick,
have fallen down Houses and shops are naccessi- |
BILE and we write these hurried lines in the street
The whole population has passed the night in the
middle OF the streets OF the merchandise, which
public square, great part has been stolen. 1t is i'm |
possible present. TO estimate the extent of the loss
The church, the prison, the national palace, the |
treasury, the arsenal and the house which was get
ting ready for the colonel commanding this district
are now nothing more than heap of ruins.
In short, no one has escaped the calamity. Now
while we are writing, the, fire is entirely exn
guished. but the sky looks threatening and we are
afraid of more shocks If unfortunately our fears
should be realized, there will be an end of the few
houses remaining standing, and Gonaives will be no
more.
The first and principal shock lasted about five
minutes and was followed during the night by more
than twenty others which, though not so violent, |
were equally fearful.
1t is now O'Clock in the morning. Not half an
hour has passed since had another violent
shock. The number of persons killed and wounded
IS not yet known. All the prisoners who were not
)ured under the ruins of the prison. have escaped
rod grant that the Capital may not have been af-
ilcted with similar misfortune
CARE ilNTIEN, "Wednesday, O'Clock in the eve
llng Most deplorabe news is spreading through
out the city II has been brought by Mr.. Obas son
VI the general commanding the District of Plasance
In consequence OF the earthquake which was felt
here on Saturday evening, Cape Town has entirely
disappeared and with it two-thirds of the population
The families which escaped this disaster have taken
refuge al La tosette, where they are without shell
ter, clothes or provisions
such Is the news circulating in town, and which
is probably TOO true. 1t to be hoped
however, II Will not be confirmed in its full extent
IL Is SAID that the President of Hayti has given
orders to the physicians and officers of health at
ached TO the hospital to set off this evening and
ave their assistance to the unfortunate victims of
his disaster.
Capt. Morris (of the brig VIM. Nelson. which
'rlngs the accounD states in addition, that a few
hours previous to his departure. a courier arrived
With information that at Cape Hayden fire sue
'eeded the earthquake, destroying the remaining
IN nd tho ~ |
he inhabitants. st. Nicholas and Port Paix are |
aid TO be IN ruins, and in fact all the towns on the
lorh side OF the island. One lnhabitant of the Cape
Mr.. Dupuy saved all the rest being either
crushed, or drowned by the sea- which rose and
the city. Fearful, fearful indeed are the
of this awful visitation
Cape liayten, known as The Cape or Cape Fran
'ols, on the north coast, is the Capital of the Re-
public, and formerly contained some 900 stone and
'nck houses, with population variously estimated
It from 10 to 10000.
1t is situated on Cape, at the edge of plain be-
weeh the sea and the mountains The plain is
Exceedingly fertile, and lntersected by broad paved
Dads, lined with lemon and lime trees.
II is in lat. 10 46 n and lon. ~ Is w.
o. Capt Brown, of the Isaac Franklin, arrived
asst evening from Mayaguez, p r. He informs us
hat there was violent shock of an earthquake on
he 9TH inst. at p. NJ. lie says he was on shore at
ne time, and did not see or hear anything until he
observed the land having the motion of the sea.
rocking to and fro. The people all left their houses
md went into the streets for fear of being buried in
he RUNS. 1t lasted sometime, and the confusion
was dreadful.
STEAMBOAT ACCIpENr.-We mentioned Yesterday
The loss OF iie on board the steamer Douglas on the
OHIO. The Baltimore American contains the fol-
lowing additional particulars OF the disaster:-
Among the passengers and sufferers were Dr. P.
Hoffman, lady and child, Mrs. w. II. Hoffman
Df Baltimore.
LOUISVILLE, May 2l.-We learn by the engineer
,f the boat, that two OF the clerks children were
lead when he left, and that there were six dead
n all
Another account, by way of Cincinnati. men,
ions the names of the following sufferers by the
xplosion:-
Mrs. Montgomery (wife Of the clerk) and three
hdren, scalded two of the children since dead.
Mr.. G. Leonard, New Orleans, killed.
DR.. Hoffman and child. the latter dead
Y C. Foster Petersburg In scald,d