Gallipolis journal. [volume] (Gallipolis, Ohio) 1837-1919, 1855-05-31

Earthquake in Niiphon-P Particulars of
the Loss Of the Russian Frigate Diana
We have already had intelligence Of the
great earthquake which occurred in the
island Of Niphon-on the Esd of Decem-
Der, whereby the towns of Obosaca and
Simoda were destroyed, and Jeddo
much injured, and the Russian frigate
Diana lost. We find in the Courier daf
Hdvre the following details of the latter
event:
AS we have already informed our
readers, an earthquake of the most vio-
lent kind has taken place at Japan, and
among other misfortunes has occasioned
the loss of the Russian frigate Diana
The American steamer Powhatan, which
was in the same vicinity, and which
saved many of the shipwrecked mari
ners, has prepared an account of its yoy-
age from Japan to Shanghai, from which
the Novelist, of Marseilles, has borrowed
some details on the shipwreck of this
Russian vessel.
The frigate which was lost in the
midst of this shocking catastrophe, had
on board the Vice Admiral Putiatin, en-
gagged at the time in completing the
treaty between Russia and Japan. She
was at anchor in the port of Simoda.-
From the moment of the first shock of
the earthquake the sea exhibited snch
movement of eddying and willing, that
in less than thirty minutes the ship pi-
rouetted round herself more than forty
times, swapping and twisting all the
chains holding her. The motion was
so rapid that no one on board could
keep his legs, and all were seized with
vertigo. When the sea retired, the frig-
ate, which drew twenty-one feet of wa
ter, Was left in eight feet of water only.
On its return the sea rose to the height
of five fathoms above its ordinary level,
and in again retiring it left the frigate
in less than four feet water, so that the
anchor stocks were visible. The agita-
ton of the bottom of the sea was SO great
at the time, that the Diana, though on
ly in four feet of water, was borne to a
great distance. The officers believed
that the port was about to become the
mouth OF a submarine volcano, ready to
engulf them.
When the frigate next found herself
afioat, it was perceived that it was filing.
and that the keel and the rudder had
been torn away, and were floating along
side. By passing sails under the ship
they succeeded in keeping her afoat;
and on the next day, the sea having be-
come calm, they brought the frigate in
to deeper water. Some shocks were
again felt, but they were not attended
by any serious consequence.
After having repaired damages as
well as they could, and constructed
temporary rudder, the weather being fine
again, they attempted to bring the frig-
ate into bay less exposed, and where
they might more easily complete repairs.
But when they were at distance of
seven miles from Simoda, tempest
blew up. The japanese boats, to the
number of one hundred, which were
towing the Diana, abandoned her, after
having, however, taken all her officers
and crew; and shortly after the ship was
swallowed up in the sea.
1t must be remarked, says the Norel-
ist, that the Diana, which was pursuing
the Napoleon III, was perfectly dis
posed to disregard the neutrality of the
port where the latter was lying, and to
capture her even in those neutral waters
If she could. The French vessel, how
ever, thanks to the rapid maneuvers of
her captain, Lopez, had set sail and de-
parted from Simoda twelve hours be-
fore the arrival of the Russian ship
The city of Simoda has been SO over
thrown, that hardly trace ofits streets
isdistinguishable.