The aegis & intelligencer. [volume] (Bel Air, Md.) 1864-1923, 1868-01-03
The Earthquake.at st. Thomas.

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WASHINGTON, D. c., Dec. 10, 1867. ,,r.
The, Navy Department received this
morning the following report of the recent
disaster at st. Thomas, written by the late
Rear Admiral Palmer: '''"'- 49,
FLAGSHIP SUsoUEHANNA, | 10,
+ '' ST.. THOMAS, WI, Nov. 10, 1867.
SIR beg to inform the Department
of an extraordinary occurrence, producing
such disaster, which took place in this
harbor yesterday afternoon. The weather
was clear, though extremely hot, barome-
ter thirty. Whilst writing in my cabin,
about half past 2 P. NJ, my attention was
called by sudden tremor sezing the ship,
increasing in intensity, accompanied by
sound resembling the grinding of vessel
upon rough bottom, then gradually
subsidng until it ceased; the whole lasting
about two minutes, | recognized it i'm
mediately as an earthquake, and looking
towards the town saw from the dust and
confusion there had been destruction
among its buildings. Concluding that it
was now over, l resumed my occupation,
and had been seated about ten minutes,
when the report was brought to me that
the sea outside of the harbor had risen
aud was coming in a huge volume, as
if to engulph us all !; went on deck, and
here the extraordinary spectacle. of a
heavy wall of sea, some 20 feet in height,
apparently distant about three miles, was
coming towards the harbor with terrible
power. The second anchor was immedi.
ately dropped and men sent to the helm,
which was all We could do (; and then we
stood to meet it as it advanced with skir-
line Of tumultuous rollers in front. saw,
with some comfort, that it came from
about south southwest, and would conse-
quently strike the entranco of the harbor
in an oblique direction. With a feeling of
awe we awaited its arrival. 1t came rush
ing on, tumbling over the rocks that formed
the entrance and carrying everything be.
fore it. A small steamer and sailing vessel
that were trying to get in were at once
engulphed and never again seen, and the
vessels at anchor near the entrance were
lifted from their mornings and carried on
The rocks to leeward. Receiving this
check, the heavy rollers swept into the
harbor. The De Sofa, which was anchored
outside Of us and was lying rather broad
side to, was carried from her mooring,
both chains swapping, and she was thrown
upon the iron plies Of new wharf lately
constructed. The next roller swept her
off into deep water again, and soon she
made signals that she was leaking. a"' l.
:, In the meantime, however, we had risen
from the rollers, which we met nearly stern
on, encountering three in succession, the
anchors and chains holding on bravely.-
The sea was now rushing in and recedibg
with real violence. The sunken wrecks
were rising the shipping in the harbor,
sweptfrom their mornings, were coming
into US every few minutes, and the snail
craft 10 shore were lifted up and thrown
into the streets and left stranded. Along
the water front boats were capsized, and
in the water were seen in all directions
men swimming for their lives. AT last
the water, in the bay subsidized into sort
Of whirlpool and SO soon as we could
with any propriety man our boats, they
were sent 10 the rescue Of the drowning
men. Several were picked up, one already
dead. ...... ..... ..s.s ...
The De Soto was now adrift, whirling
about the harbor, her pumps going, and
getting up her steam rapidly as possible.
| went on board Of her, and found she could
keep herself free, and with her steam up
and two Hedges down she would remain 10
safety for the night. Constant shocks of
earthquake occurred every ten or fifteen
minutes, and so continued with more or
less severity through the night, and as 1
am now writing this is still going on. The
damage on shore has been far more ruin
GUS to the merchants than that occasioned
by the late hurricane. The first heavy
roller went up into the town, swapping
the stores, which were mostly on the Bay
point, floating out and finally stranding
their goods 10 unheard Of directions.-
The panic that seized the inhabitants was
painful-rushing up the hillsides, crying
for mercy, and listening to no attempts to
pacify them.
AS went ashore in the evening, I
found all the stone dwellings were aban-
doned, their owners 10 the streets, or in
the wooden buildings of their friends, the
alarm being still kept up by tho constant
shocks that were still occurring. This
morning the shocks are less frequent and
the bay perfectly quiet. The English
mail steamer which had lately arrived and
was coaling in the bay on the other side
'f the harbor, was as near being lost as
possible. Her passengers speak of hav-
ng felt the shock as we did, and looking
behind them, saw small islet in their
ear was cleft in twain, and fame and
smoke Issuing from the assure. Shortly
the sea arose and came we'll nigh
'arrying them down their cables parted,
'ut they were thrown most fortunately
lnder lee which placed them in COM
,arative safety. The passengers, Ill but
hree females. who were lost 10 the surf,
cached the shore. Just now vessel has
rived from Santa Cruz, bringing an
fficer Of the Monographs, who brought
D verbal message from Commodore Bis.
ell, saying the shock of the earthquake
lad been most violent at that island that
be sea had risen and thrown his vessel
Ugh and dry on the beach, and that three
I his men who were in the boats alongside