The Corvallis gazette. [volume] (Corvallis, Or.) 1862-1899, 1896-12-25
VERY UNUSUAL OCCURRENCE
Severe Earthquake Shocks
Felt in England.
THE MOST VIOLENT IN HISTORY

Winsdor Castle Rocked-Panic In Sew.
eral Palaces-A Large Area Az
fected-Death Reported From Fright.
London, Dec. 21.-An earthquake,
the most violent ever experienced in
this country, has shaken every shire
from Durham to Surrey, and from Lon
don to the Welsh coast. The subter-
raneous disturbance was first noticed
about $50 this morning, and lasted
from four to five seconds. At many
points two distinct shocks were expert
enced. The most severe shocks were
felt at Cheltenham. Ledbury and Dean
forest.
The earthshaking was accompanied
by loud rushing sound. Buildings
were violently shaken, furniture shift
ed. doors thrown open, pictures and
other ornaments upset. The-inhabit.
ants were panic stricken and fled from
their houses.
The earthquake also visited Bir-
mingham and various points in Shrop-
shire, and was violent in Worcester
and the country surrounding that city.
The shocks were followed by q
tremor Of the earth. The greatest
alarm prevailed everywhere. CHM
neys were overthrown. windows. etc. I,
smashed. At some points on the coun-
try road persons were thrown down; q
number of people were thrown out Of
their beds. Hereford cathedral was in
jured. The dull rumbling beneath the
earth's surface, was followed by two
loud crashes and q terrible lifting and
rocking.
The panic of Hereford was so great
that one woman died from fright.
People rushed wildly into the streets.
Many chimneys fell crashing into the
thoroughfares. All the pinuacles Of
st. Nicholas church toppled over and
part of the pinnacle of the cathedral
fell.
At Liverpool the earthquake was
preceded by heavy thunder and fear
full hail storm. In London the earth
quake was only slightly felt.
At Bridgennorth, near Shrewsbury,
before the disturbances. the streets
suddenly seemed to be on fire, and there
was a violent rise accompanied by a
shaking of the earth. People going
abroad in that vicinity say they were
unable to walk owing to the vibrations.
There was great excitement among the
people about Poole, who thought the
end of the world had come.
Houses shook for nealry a minute at
Bristol and Clifton, causing much
alarm. Railroad employees at Crewe
report that they felt the rails oscillate.
At Eversham the shock was followed
by brilliant light in the sky.
The disturbance was violent at War.
wick Castle. The Earl of Warwick
force beneath it, and the furniture in
the room shifted. The inhabitants Of
the Slough were awakened by shock
so severe that they thought the Mid
dlesex powder factory had exploded.
Near Stockport, and at Melton Now
bray, the noise which accompanied the
earthquake shock resem bled discharge
of gun cotton under water. Many
strange experiences were reported in
connection with the earthquake.
The earthquake shock seems to have
been felt in greater or less degree
throughout the length and breadth of
this island, throwing from his feet the
laborer toiling in the highway and
penetrating in effects to the abode of
royalty itself. The shock was felt dis
tinctly at Windsor castle, and some of
the royal household were shaken in
their beds. Furniture, china and orna-
ments were ratified in several rooms ON
the north side of the castle. An officer,
describing the effects as they seemed to
him. says the castle literally rocked.
The sensation was first supposed to be
due to an explosion at Hounslow.