The New York herald., 1868-06-07
CHINA.

The Earthquake at Form0sa- Dish strously
Fatal Results-The Remains of Wrecks
Thrown from the Deep-Agcd Persons Suf.
fercd Most-Rou and Direction Of the
Shock.
YAMsIN, FoRMOsA China, March 30 1858.
For the more particular benefit Of men OF science
/ send you the complete particulars OF the earth
quake which occurred at this place on the 18th Of
December, especially as have since learned that
shocks were heard simultaneously (making allow
ance for difference Of longitude) throughout the
Northern States, and also in Canada. The immense
surface Of the earth convulsed by this shock will,
trust call forth some remarks from scientific men as
to its origin.
The shock occurred at ten A. M. and seems to have
been unprecedented in violence, being also attended
with the most lamentaDle loss Of life. The northeast
portion of the island Keelung harbor appears to
have received the first shock, and this would lead
one to imagine that 1t had originated in Japan; but
we have not heard Of any earthquake felt III that
place. At Keelung harbOr the inhabitants were
completely bewildered at seeing their harbor left
almost In o moment completely dry even beyond
the usual anchorage for vessels Some more ad-
an oters , an navng srn g
to pick up the fish which could be seen in vast quan
titles nounderng about in the pools left by the reced
Ing waters Dearly, however were their coveted prizes
purchased as the huge mass Of waters returned
with such fearful rapdity and force as to give
The wreck Of an old junk, which had been buried
for years in the sand, lifted up aud carried
to sea, but brought back and thrown high and dry
the gigantic wave refed the harbor.
The native town suffered very much, large num-
ives II lost. The loss Of life. however was chedy con-
fined TO opium smokers and people advanced In life.
The quvering roofs Of houses. the unduating move.
ments OF the earth gave, In most cases. sufficient
warning to the people to abandon their houses ana
seek the open air.
Most proyidentally there were no vessels in
harbor at Keeling at the te since their destruction
would have been inevitable the American bark
TS% asins s davis bepe anu the
The shock appears to have pursued almost a d.
rect course over the island from Keeling to famsln
at which latter place 1t was felt very severely, as
well In OF life In the destruction Of property
and houses, including temple which had just been
Chinese exhibited their usual apathy and indirer-
ence, making effort TO exricate their friends and
buried amidst tne mass Oh ro ~, 1mI ns
heartrendlng In the extreme. The tdewaiters OF the
Imperial Maritime Customs were indefatlgaDe In
their efforts to assist and extricate the poor manged
wretchcs from their perous positions, the most
urgent cases receiving the necessary attention from
| DIR. HOZler.
The duration OF the earthquake was about thirty
seconds, and for ten days following partial shocks
rSpepehcsd making exreey a,n m the o
o,oe, especially at night, DOORS &C., being kept
open to facilitate hasty escape.
Inc shocks succeeding the grand earthquake were
felt at intervals Of nve or six hours rs remarked
before for period Of ten days. but up to the pres
| varied intervals.
village on the northern extremity OF the island
seems 10 have suffered In extensive degree hav-
ing lost one thousand people. l visited this place
recently and saw on every side the most extensive
evidence OF the violence OF the earthquake. Besides
the usual destruction OF houses, &C., there the
most enormous landsips visible In almost every d.
rection, especially in the vicinity OF some sulphur
| pits not far from the village Just alluded TO.
In many places huge masses Of rock had been torn
from their attachment to the mountain side and rolled
| into the plains and valleys below. In one place
/ I noticed an immense chasm In the surface OF the
| earth nearly yard wide and three hundred yards
long, which appeared perfectly mpenetrable and was
/ really awful 10 behold.