The Democratic advocate. [volume] (Westminster, Md.) 1865-1972, 1896-12-19
Severe Earthquake Shocks in Great
Britain.

LONDON, DC. 17.-An earthquake, the
most violent ever experienced in this country,
has shaken every shire from Durham to
Surrey, and from London to the Welsh coast.
The subterraneous disturbance was first
noticed at about $50 O'Clock this morning,
and lasted from to 80 seconds. At many
points two distinct shocks we're experienced
The most severe shocks were felt at Chel-
tenham, Ledbury and Dean Forest. The
earth shaking was accompanied by lond
rushing sound Buildings were violently
shaken, furniture was shifted, doors were
thrown open and pictures and other ornaments
we're upset The inhabitants were panic
stricken and fed from their houses.
The earthquake also visited birmingham
and various other points in Shropshire, and
was violent in Worcester and the country
surrounding that city. Houses rocked and
furniture was overturned.
The shocks were followed by tremor of
the earth, and were accompanied by rum
bling sound. The greatest alarm prevailed
everywhere. Chimneys were cverthrown
and windows, &C., were smashed.
At some points persons ON the country
roads we're thrown down, and a number OF
people were thrown from their beds.
Hereford Cathedral was injured. There
the dull rumbing beneath the earth $ surface
was followed by two loud crashes and terri
BILE lifting and rocking. The panic at Here
ford was so great that one woman died OF
fright. People rushed wildly into the streets.
Many chimneys fell, crashing into the thor
oughfares, and all the pinnacles OF st. Slcho-
las Church toppled over and part OF the
pinnacle of the cathedral fell to the ground.
At Liverpool the earthquake was preceded
by heavy thunder and fearful haistorm.
In London the earthquake was only slightly
felt
A singular phenomenon occurred at Bridge
north, near Shrewsbury, previous to the dis
turbance. The streets suddenly seemed TO he
on fire. and there was a violent report, ac-
companied by shaking of the earth. People
who were going abroad in that vicinity say
that they were, for time, unable to walk,
owing 10 the vibration.
Houses shook for nearly minute at Bris-
tol and Clifton, causing much alarm in those
districts.
The railroad employees at Crewe report that
they felt the rails oscillate. AT Evesham the
shock was followed by brilliantly lighted
sky.
Up to Tuesday the weather in England was
unusually mild, but on Tuesday there was
sudden change to severe frost, which was fol-
lowed by dense fogs and snow Wednesday.
that the shocks were the result of colliery ex
plosions.
The disturbance was experienced with great
violence at Warwick Castle. The Earl of
Warwick was awakened and felt his bed lifted
as though by some force beneath 1t, and the
furniture in the room was shifted.
The inhabitants of Slough were awakened
by a shock so severe that they thought the
Middlesex powder factory had exploded.
A large area of ground sank near Stockport,
and at Melton Mowbray the noise which ac
companied the earthquake shock resembled II
discharge of gun cotton under water.
THE DAMAGED CATHEDRAL.
Hereford is an ancient city in the west of
England, standing on the River Wye, in a
beautiful and richly cultivated valley. The
cathedral, which has been damaged by the
earthquake, is the most attractive remlnent
of the city's antiquity. 1t is situated near the
river, and has been restored in good style
under the superintendent of Sir Gilbert
Scott The See is a very ancient one, the
Bshopric having existed here, according to
Archbishop Usher, since the sixth century.
The present building, however, does not date
further back than 1919. when it was com
menced by Bishop Loreng, but it was not
completed until century afterward, and sew
eral minor portions were added at various
periods subsequently.
The exterior exhibits much dissimilarity OF
style, and the incongruous west front is great
Disagreement Especially noteworthy are
the northern facade, the Gothic chapels, the
metal screen between the nave and choir, the
reredos. and the Cantilupe shrine. The cathe-
dral is cross 325 feet in length and 100 feet
across the transept. The vaulting of the root
is 20 feet high, and that of the grand central
tower IA feet. There is a curious map of the
world in the library of Saxon time.