Bradford reporter. [volume] (Towanda, Pa.) 1844-1884, 1855-05-26
Earthquake in Simoda.

Oosof the Largest Cities IN the Empire De
droued- -E1trdordiaary Experiences Of q
Russian Frig0te.
From the North China Herald Extraordinary
We take the subjoined interesting news from
Japan:
We have been favored from private source
with the following extracts of letter from
an officer of the United States steamer Pow
haitian.
THE island of Niphon, in which Simoda is
situated was visited, on the 23d of December,
by a severe earthquake. which was most dis
astrous in its effects The city of Ohosaca,
one of the largest in the empire was completely
laid waste. Jeddoi itself suffered considerably,
but has since suffered more seriously from the
effects of an extensive conlagration The town
of Sim0da on our arrival, presented a complete
scene of desolaton and ruin. After the shock
Of the earthquake the sea commenced bubblng
m as it were along the shore, and then reced-
ed with great rapidity, and as soon returned
with such increased volume as to flood the
whole town to the depth of six or seven feet,
sweeping away houses, bridges and temples
and piling them up in a mass of ruin.
Five times during the day did the sea
advance and recedc in this manner, spreading
dcsoation far and wide. The largest junks in
the harbOr were driven from one to two miles
above high water mark where we saw them
living high and dry. About 200 Of the poor in
hahabitants lost their lives by the overflow, the
remainder saving themselves by fleeing to the
mountains with which the town is surrounded
The Russian frigate Diana, having Vice
Admiral POntiatine on board, was lying in the
harbOr at the time, engaged in finishing up the
treaty they had made with the Japanese
Immediately after the shock was felt, the water
in the harbor became convulsed to such
degree in eddics and whrlpools, that in the
space of thirty minutes she swung entirely
round forty three times twisting her chains up
iato knots so rapid was the motion that the
people on board could not keep their feet and
all were made giddy. When the sea receded
it left the frigate in eight feet water on her
side, when her usual draft was over twenty one
feet On its return, it is stated, the water rose
FIVE fathoms above its ordinary level
On its again receding, four feet only of
water remained, so that they saw the stocks of
their anchor above the water. The heaving of
the bottom of the bay was then so violent that
the frigate-although, as | said, in only four
feet of water-waS moved bodily past her
anchor. The officer momentarily expected that
the bay would become the outlet of the sub
terranean fires, and that they would be engul PHI
ed in it. When the frigate again foated they
saw her keel and ruddcr, which had been
wrenched off, floating alongside, and the ship
filling with water. BY getting sails under her,
they managed to get her afoat, and the next
day, things having keep quiet once more, they
hauled her into deeper water Occasional
shocks of earthquake still continued to be felt,
but none were attended with serious conse-
quenccS.
After repairing damages as well as they
could, and having rugged a temporary rudder,
and the weather becoming fine, they attempted
to take the ship around to another bay, where
She would be less exposed, and they would
complete repairs (Simoda being badly adapted
for such purpose y but when within seven
miles of their harbor gale sprung up-the
hundred Japanese boat that were towing them
abandoned them (not, however, till they had
cot out all of the officers and crew, and
shortly after the gallant ship sunk in deep
water the officers and men saving only the
clothes they stood in. Notwithstanding all
their mSfortuncs and the dangers through
which they passed, they only lost one man,
and he was accdently killed by being jammed
by one of the guns which had gone adrift"