The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1843-03-14

FURTHER PARTICULARS OF THE EARTHQUAKE -
We have received by the Ellen, Captain Knowles,
arrived yesterday from ST. Thomas, few add.
tonal particulars of the dreadful earthquake at
Point Pctre, &c.
Not house remains standing at Point Petre.
All those which were not destroyed by the earth
quake. were burnt down by a FIRE. which unfortu-
naely broke out soon after the eruption of nature.
No less than eight thousand lires Were lost Itco
thousand w1e literally Swallowed up in the earth
The American consul was shockingly injured, and
died soon after he had been taken on board the
American brig Lively. Martial law was proclaimed
Immediately after the disaster, and all vessels
searched for stolen property. The American car
goes that had been landed were totally destroyed.
There were very few lives lost at Antigua, but all
the buildings were thrown down by the revulsisn.
We cannot learn that any island had been sunk as
reported.
At St. Bart's the Church and several other build
the centre ofa street to the width of fsot the fis
sure extending 600 yards in length. Only 10 lives
were lost at Antigua, although almost every building
IN St Johns was thrown down At St Eustata
the damage was confined mainly to buildings, some
being very badly injured. Al ST. Chrstopher's Sc
yeral OF the public buildings were utterly destroyed
Only one lite lost, but some others were badly hurt
NJ tScNio dNu Gu DdItHOlOmcW'S the eaItn opened
and water with sulphurous smell issued from the
crevices. Nothing farther had been heard from
Montserat. When lastseen the island was envelop-
ed in q dense cloud of smoke or dust. The sea
around was violently agitated. At ST. Vincent the
shock wasfelt but slightly.
Correspondence ofths Heraldl
ST.. THOMAS, Feb. Is, lS43.
DEAR SIR
Yon no doubt will be anxious to learn the partca-
lars of an event which occurred here a few DAYS.
al and WhIch Causpd much demav al the time
On the merning of the 9th of this month, at IS mi
nutes past ID o'clock, a tremendous shock of an
earthquake was felt at this place, which continued
for full two minutes, causing the houses to rock
about like a boat at sea, accompanied by hollow
grating sound, as if an immense steam boiler was
blowing off steam in the bowels OF the EARTH and
which made the blood in ones veins cease crcuat.
ing. Ithowever caused but little damage, although
the shock was of such long continuance, merely
cracking some of the houses, and frightening the
inhabitants 1t was really distressing to hear the
cries of the women and children flying from their
homes into the street, some running to and fro, fran
tic with fright, and others kneeling in the Streets
duplicating the Most High for mercy in their hour
OF need 1t was some time before they recovered
sufficiently to have the courage to enter their desert
ed homes The only lives lost were by fright Two
or three women, one of whom was confined to Il
sick bed, died from the effects of the shock on their
nervous system 1t was felt very sensby on board
the We ssels in the harbor; and vessel from New
York. bound to this port. was sensibly effected in
lat 20 deg 40 M nsrth, long 63 deg west, some 300
miles from this, that they supposed she had struck
some thing, and the captain never found out the
cause until he arrived here, and heard of the earth
quake.
But, although we have escaped destruction, our
neighbors have not been so Fortunate and it is with
of Point Petre, Guadalupe The shock was felt
there at almost the same time as here, but with
more dreadful effect. In few seconds all the
houses built of stone bricks were Frustrated and
leye!ed to the earth, leaving only few wooden
buildings standing, when flames burst out from the
earth, destroying everything that was lett, and
roasting the poor suffering MANNED wretches in the
the houses and outworks of the surrounding planta
tons were destroyed, and the city and country pre-
sent nothing but heap of ruins. 1t is estimated
that ten thousand persons have lost their lives from
the rest of the poor wretches, almost crazed, are
wandering about among the ruins. half famlshed
with hunger and thirst, and almost naked, as they
have given part Of their garments to bind up the
wounds OF the poor unfOrtunates. There is French
ship employed in carrying the wounded to Basse
Terre which has suffered but little in comparison to
the Point, the population Of which estimated at
twenty thousand souls. Many, who were blessed
with health, wealth, and happiness, few days ago,
are now besgared and wretched-their all destroy
ed-their wives. children, and relations, swept
away from them in few Notwithstanding them
hsuscless, friendless, and alone-wapderers in a
living desert The agony fthe moment can we'll
conceive. There are several vessels loading here
at present with provisions, bound for the unfortunate
city, Wnlcn IL IL SAID presents picture TOO Qlncu
to paint, and suffering too horrible to conceive
Martinique, which suffered go much few years
age, has escaped this time, but the following islands
have been much injured, although nothing in COM
parisOn with Guadalupe AT Nevis, the houses all
destroyed, and earth open in several places at Anti
qua, all the houses fiat to the ground, and many
rents and chasms in the earth; Monserrat has also
suffered much at st. Barts, the houses injured,
many chimneys thrown down. and a large opening
in the main street In fact most Of the Windward
Islands have suffered some and as yet it is impossi
BILE to ascertain the extent Of this melancholy event.
A bloody page in the history of these islands, and
which will be long remembered by the sorrow
stricken survivors.
ISLAND OF SAINT THOMAS, Feb. 8, ls43.
DEAR SrR:-
am at this present moment obliged to leave the
Police Office, at which place was obtaining pass.
perts for Avah Mann, Esq., proprietor OF the Circus
Company, owing 10 very severe shock of an earth
quake. All the officers made rush to the streets.
The shock lasted about minute and half want
you to report the brig Francis Amy, now under my
command, and which sails to-day for Saint Johns,
Porto Ricio. For interest of friends am happy to
state that all are well on board
Business very dull ia The commercial line. The
steamer arrived this morning from Demarara. No
news OF Importance. Your friend,
GroReE ATWOOD,
Commanding brig Francis Amy, N. Y.
Court OF Common Pleas.