Savannah morning news. [volume] (Savannah) 1868-1887, 1884-04-23
EARTHoUAKE IN ENGLAND.
A Number of Buildings Badly shaken Up
and Much Alarm Created.

LONDON, April 22.-At $3.50 o'clock this
morning an earthquake shock of cOnsid-
cradle force was felt in the eastern coun-
ties of England. Localities in Essex and
Suffolk were the scenes of the greatest dis
turbanees. At Ipswich, the capital of
Suffolk county, the shock was SO severe
that the walls of the houses We're percep-
tibly shaken. Plates were ratified and bells
rung. The people have been thrown into
such state of CONSERVATION that busi-
ness is for the time suspended. The shock
was still more severe at Chichester. in
Essex. The concussion lasted half a
minute.
The first symptom was a deep rumbling
sound, portentous and awe inspiring
This was speedily followed by a quaking
and shaking of all buildings. The church
bells sounded as though swayed by un-
seen hands. The tall chimney stacks of
factories crushed in ruins to the earth
and other lofty structures were destroyed.
The spire of one of the largest churches
in the city, 150 feet in height, fell with an
awful crash to the ground. In one part
of the city fire was caused by the shock.
1t is impossible to estimate the amount of
damage, but it is known to be great. In
private houses the greatest confusion pre-
4ablCo hNAC OfGl ANt hCNs Nllall
swayed and nodded and then
fell sprawling upon the floor.
china and glassware in cupbOards and
sideboards ratified together, and were
frequently shattered, while pictures and
other ornaments upon the walls were
lOosened from their fastenings and fell to
the floor. The people were terror stricken.
Men, women and children rushed Shrek
ing into the streets, where their agonized
cries and pale faces made most impress
sive scene.
At Chelmsford, likewise in Essex, and
only about thirty miles from London, the
shock was also severe, and the people
were filled with terror and dismay. At
SOuthend, watering place near the
mouth of the Thames, the earth trembled
for miles around. The windows of many
dwellings were broken, chimneys were
dashed to the earth and crOckery
and glassware were smashed. At Shoe
burgess, few miles below Southend, the
shock was distinctly felt. There was also
a perceptible quake at Bury street,
Edmunds, while at MuldOn, ten miles east
of Chelmsford, the town hall and private
houses were swayed several times. The
wave passed from south to north. The
Globe says that the shock was felt in the
Strand, London. A business house, it as
serts, was perceptibly rocked, so much so
that the employees were atfrighted and
rushed into the streets. The duration of
the shock at Ipswich is estimated at three
seconds. The earthquake has caused a
general feeling of alarm and insecurity
throughout England.
COLCHESTER THE CENTRE OF THE QUAK-
ING.
LONDON, April %, 8 p. M.-Later adj
vices indicate clearly that Colchester was
the centre of yesterdays serious disturb
ance by earthquake. 1t is impossible as
yet to determine the extent of the damage.
In some streets traffic has been forbidden
for the present, as buildings have been so
badly shattered that they are considered
dangerous to life and limb. The side walls
of houses near Colchester were shaken
out. In London there were numerous in
dications of the proximity of the earth
quake. Telegraph instruments were
shaken and the shock was distinctly felt
IN Cheapside and Fleet streets. The rail
way depot and a large mansion were par
TALLY DESTROYED at Ipswich.