The daily dispatch. [volume] (Richmond [Va.]) 1850-1884, 1884-04-23
SEVERE EARTHQUAKE.
EASTERN ENGLAND SHAKEN UP.
Quaking and shaking or BuIidings-Chim-
neys and Church-spires Tumsiina-Conster.
nntion Among the People.
[By cable 10 the DIspatch.I

TBy cable TO the DispatchI
| LONDON, April 22.--At 9;3o O'Clock thi,
morning an earthquake shock OF consider.
able force was felt in the eastern counties
OF England. Localities In Essex and Suf.
folk were scenes OF the greatest disturb.
ance. At Ipswich. the capital OF Suffolk
county, the shock was so severe That walls
OF houses were Dercepubly shaken, plates
were ratified, and bells rung. The people
have been thrown into such state OF con-
sternation that business is for time sus-
pended. The shock was still more severe
ut Colchester, in Essex. The conclusion
lasted half a minute.
The first symptom was deep rumbling
sound, portentous and awe-inspiring. This
was speedily followed by the quaking and
shaking OF all the buildings. Church-bells
sounded as though swayed by unseen
hands. The tall chimney stacks oil factories
crushed in ruins TO the earth, and other
! lofty structures were destroyed. The spire
OF one OF the largest churches in the city,
| $50 feet in height, fell with an awful crash
to the ground. In one para OF the city a
fire was caused by the shock.
1t is impossible to estimate the amount
OF damage. but it il known to be great. In
private houses the greatest confusion pre-
vailed. Tables were overturned, chairs
swayed and nodded and then fell sprawl
ing upon the floor. The china and glass
ware in the cupbonrds and sIdeboards rat
tied together and were frequently shatter-
ed. while pictures and other ornaments
upon the walls were loOsened from their
fastenings and fell 10 the floor. People
were terr0r-strlcken. Men, women, and
children rushed shrieking into the streets,
where their agonlzing cries and pale faces
made most impressive scene.
At Chelmsford, likewise in Essex, and
only about thirty miles from London. the
shock was also severe, and the people
were filed with terror and dismay. At
SOuthend, a watering-pldce near the mouth
OF the Thames. the earth tremblcd for
miles around. Windows Of many dwell
ings were broken, chimneyS .were dashed
to the earth, and crockery and glassware
were smashed. At Shoeburyness, few
miles beyond the Southend, the shock was
distinctly felt. 1t was almost perceptible
at Bury Stedmuns, 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.
TUE CENTRE OF THE DISTURBANCE.
LONDON, April 22.-Later adyiceS indi-
cate clearly that Colchester was the centre
OF the most serious disturbance by the
earthquake. 1t is impossible as yet to de-
termine the extent Of the damage. In
some streets traffic has been forbidden for
the present, as the 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 indica-
tiOns Of the proximity Of the earthquake.
Telegraph instruments were shaken, and
the shock was distinctly felt in Cheapside
and Fleet street. The railway depot and
a large mansion were partially destroyed at
Ipswich.