New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1867-12-20
THE VEST INDIES.
THE EARTHQUAKE AT ST. THOMAS
RLT0RT FROM THE LATE ADMIRAL PALMER
EXTRAORDINARY EFFECTS OF THE SHOCKS


RLfoRr FROM THE LATE ADMIRAL PALMER
EXTRAORDINARY EFFECTS OF THE SHOCKS
UPON THE SEA.
WAsHIYGToN, ID. c., Dec. 19.-The Navy De-
partmen received this morning the following report Of
the recent disaster at St. Thomas written by tho late
Admiral Palmer:
FLAGSHIP sUsoUEHANNA FIRsT RATE),(
ST. THOMAS, W.T. Nov. 10, 1867. S
SIR beg TO inform the Department OF an extraordi.
nary occurrence, producing much disaster which TOOK
place In This harhOr yesterday afternoon The weather
was clear, though extremely hOt-baTOmeter 80 While
writing IN my cabin, about $3.50 p m, my attention was
called by sudden remOr selling the ship increasing III
intensity, accompanied by sound resembling the grind
ing Of vessel upon rough bottom then gradually sub
utcs. recognized immediately earthquake, and
looking toward the town cav from the dust and confusion
Guiding 10 now over, resumed my occupation ana
had been seated about ten minutes when the report was
brought that the outside OF the harbor had risen
and coming In huge volume, as n to enguli US All
went deck and here the extraordinary spectacle 81
heavy wall Of 20 feet hight, apparently DIS
tant about three miles, was coming toward the harDor
with terrible power The second anchor was imhedate
dropped and men were sent 10 the helm, which was all
could do; aud then We stood 10 meet 1t as II adj
yanccd with skrns line Of tumutuous rollers III front
saw with comfort that 1t came from about - -
W, and would consequently strike tho entrance Vi le
awaited It's arrival IL rushing tumbling over
the rocks that formed the entrance carrying eFery
were trying 10 get In at enguphed ana never
rre fted from their moorncs and carried on the rocks
10 lceward Receiving this check, the heavy rollers
swept into the harbor The DE Soto which was anchored
outside Of US and lying rather broadside TO- was car
red from her moOrngs, both chains swapping, ana
she was thrown upon the iron pneS OF new
wharf lately constructed. The next roller swept her
off into deep water again, aud soon she made sig
nails that she was leaking. In the meahWhle
however we had from the rollers, when We met
nearly stem on encouneng three in succession, the
anchors and CHAINS holding on brayey. Inc sea MAS
now rushing In and receding win great Vloi1ncS. lne
sunken wrecks rising; the shipping IN the harDor,
swept from their moornGs were coming INTO M M
thrown into the streets and left stranded Along the
men seen In all directions swimming for their yes AT
last the water IN the bay subsidized into sort OF whr
our boats they were sent 90 the rescue Of the drowning
men, Several were picked ny, one already dead. Inc
pumps going and getting mp her steam. As rapidly as
possible went board Of her. and found she could keep
herself and with her steam up aud Two kcdRes uOW
would remain In safety for The night Constant shocks
OF earthquake occurred every ten or fifteen minutes
and so continued with or less severity through th1
night, aud ] am now wnung thls Is sun
going on The damage on shore has been far ruin
GUS 10 the merchants than that occasoned by the late
hurricane. The first heavy rolls went up into the town
swaniping the stores. which mostly on the Bay
MONT, floating out and finally stranding their goods IN
unheard OF directions The panic that seized the lhhaD
ants was panful-rusbng up the hillside crying TOT
nercynd listening attempts to paclfy Them As
went ashore In the evening found that al tue soho
dwellings were Abandoned and their owners IN t the
streets or the wooden buildings Of their fnendr the
alarm being stl kept up 10y the constant shocks mat
still occurring This morning the shocks are les
frequent and the bay perfectly quiet The Enghsh man
steamer which had lately arrived and was cOahg ia tno
bay the other side Of the bafbOr was az near pes
lost possible. Her passengers speak OF having Iet tT
shock did, and, looking behind them, saw a sma
se IN their cleft in twain aud flame ana smoke
Issuing from the ssure shortly aferward the sea arose
and came well.ngh carrying them down; their cables
parted brt they thrown, most fortunately uhder
Zee which placed them In comparative safety Inc pas
sengers ali but three females who were lost IN the SURF
reached the shore. -,
ing an officer Of the MOnOngahcln who brought IN
verbal from Commodore Bssel saying the shOck
Of the earthquake had been most violent AT at slah1
Inn, the sea had risen and thrown his vessel high ana dry
on the beach and that three OF his who In the
boas aongsde were drowned leave this evening to see
what asslstapce / can render him. The damage sus
taiEed by this ship Is not material very rcspecuuy,
your Obcdient servant, JOSEPH 1" lAlNhh,
u. Rcaf-AuulIal Cohlnialiulnb ~
10 the Hon. GIDEON MELLRs, Washington d. e.