The evening telegraph. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1864-1918, 1868-11-06
EARTHQUAKES.
Full Particulars OF the COmmOtiOn on
the Pacific Coast i'm OctOber-rhe

run Oh bue OOutbOttOh Ou
the Pacific Coast i'm OctOber-The
Damaging Effects.
Full particulars of the earthquake which
occurred in California on the 2l,t ulttmo are
given by the San Francisco BuDelin, from which
we cull The following details:-
At 6b minutes before o'clock this morning
San Francisco was visited 0y the severest eartn
quake shock 1t has ever yet known. The
general direction of the shock was Dorthery
and southerly, though some local descriptions
give rotary mouon. Tue movement was palt
of a general disturbance which was ielt throu
out the State, and which has caused more alarm
and injury than ever oeiore known In California.
The shock lasted furty-tWo seconds - a oue time
Tor such terrible pbenomenon-and gathered
violence as it continued until near the end. 1t
WAS accompanied by the usual rumoing and
grating sound, to which was added the loud
rafting OF window frames, shatterlDg of glass,
banging OF doors, and the crash OF objects
falling from shelves and mantels.
The t1rst impulse with nearly everybody was
TO rush into the streets, which were Instantly
filled all over the city with excited Gro wds, in
GLIDING some who had not yet completed their
toilets or had rushed tumultuously from bed.
Several light shocks were felt subsequently,
which increased the apprehensions of the multi
tuue, and kept the streets filled places OF sa ety.
Thomas Tennent, who kept very cool watch of
the phenomena, and who Is our authority Tor
the time and duration OF the first shock, says
the oscillation was from southeast to north west
nearly.
The time OF the second shock was 9'23 o'clock
duration five seconds; direction the same as
before. Lighter and briefer tremors oc ;urred
at intervals of about balf an hour uutll fifteen
minutes past H. The more pronounced of tue Sc
caused flesh stampedes TO tue street of those
who were attempting to conduct business or
trying TO work. The initial shock was most
severely felt along the cas- ern side of the city,
aud within the limits OF the made land between
Montgomery street ard the water. On the solid
land, outside of the thickly.bu,lt business por-
tion of the city, no serious damage was done ID
aDy well constructed house,
Some window. panes were cracked or broken,
some chimneys twisted or overChrown, some
able llaster split. Mantel ornaments and
sheved c1ocSery were thrown down and
broken, all over the city. Some top heavy
articles of furniture. like corner esageres
loaded with books, were thro Wn over. Tanks and
dishes containing water or oh-r lqui Is
stopped their coutents. Clocks stopped run1lng.
Door bells laug. lmperfeclly secured doo.s
and window blinds opeLed. Tall structures,
! kc sleeples and towers. were seen 10 sway
slightly, and the motion of the earth under the
feet was unpleasautly plain to persons out of
doors aud not leaning against any superstruc-
ture. Horses started and snorted exhibiting
every sign OF fear. and in some cases dashiDg
OF iuriously with their riders or attached
vehicles. Dogs crouched trembling and whining,
and in the suburbs fowls flew to the trees,
uttering notes OF alarm. The pquic among
women and children was for teR minutes
excessive, aud their cries and tears were very
moving. But 1t was not long before majority
OF Inc 1nOaOuantS OF tne city were walking or
riding about curiou>ly inspecting the effects of
the shock upon the houses. 1t was a relief to
all TO discover that the solid portions OF the
to Rp site escaped with very little damage, and
especially that the loss of life had been much
exaggerated though the case, in wnich life
was lost are numerous and sad enough.
Owing to the excitement business was gene.
rally interrupted, and TO some extent sus pended.
The repeated iremors, which have continued up
to the hour of gong TO press (three O'clock,
made most folks nervous and indispo 'ed TO
shopping, figuring, or writing. The overthro "
OF articles and the dirt made by fallen plaster
caused u confusion that would alone have pre-.
vented the regular transaction OF business. In
several newspaper offices matter in type for the
press was rather summarily "distIibuted,n - aud
the cases were more or less deranged. Tue work
OF the day has been TO "put things to rights, 2"
make hasty repairs, take account of damage,
aid exchange experiences.