The Abbeville press and banner. [volume] (Abbeville, S.C.) 1869-1924, 1904-04-13
EAR 1HQUAKE SHAKES TOWNS
New England Experiences the Worst
Shock Since Earthquake Of 1884.
A WIDE AREA IS AFFECTED
Atlantic Seacoast, From st. John. N. B.,
to Boston, Feels Vibrations That Rock
Buildings in Some Places-Much Dam
age is Done in Maine and Other States
Small Towns Report Loss.

Boston, Mass-All Of Eastern New
England, with Boston as centre,
spent some time in tracing the effects
of an earthquake that shook this re-
gion. bringing city and country FOLK
out of their beds and doing some con-
siderable damage to buildings.
Reports indicate that the earthquake
shock was felt in nearly all sections OF
New England and the maritime prov
inces. The extent and severity of the
disturbance, astronomers say. make it
the most remarkable in twenty years.
The motion of the earth was most
violently apparent in Eastern Maine,
where from three to seven dlstlncC
Jhocks were felt Bar Harbor noted
seven shocks of violence sufficient to
cause the fire alarm bell to strike sew
eral times. Calias, Me-. reported that
buildings were rocked so as to shake
pictures from the walls. From this
point to Hartford, Conn, including all
parts of New Hampshire and Vermont.
as we'll as Massachusetts and Rhode
Island, the trembling of the earth was
noted.
At Harvard observatory three shocks
were noted. The direction OF the
earth's movement was not recorded by
the instruments. Professor 4. q. PICK
ering, head of the observatory, with
CORDS of assistants, is studying the
phenomenon.
Professor Pickering made the follow
ling statement:
"About all that we could do was estl-
mate the duration of the disturbance.
We found that the shock started at one
hour four minutes and ten seconds af-
ter midnight, and that it lasted several
seconds. There were two strong
shocks and a third lighter vibration.
The strong shocks were greater IN
some respects than any earthquake L
ever experienced"
The earthquake rocked buildings
here, tumbled chimneys over and
caused many windows to be broken.
At Augusta, Me-, chimneys were
shaken down and crockery smashed.
In Boston the trembling of the earth
lasted several seconds and frightened
many people. Dishes were thrown
from shelves and many chimneys were
knocked down.
The rattle of the dishes and the noise
Of the falling chimneys caused alarm,
and telephone operators in the e1-
changes were kept busy answering IN
quiries from anxious subscribers.
The earthquake shocks are said by
officials of the Harvard observatory to
have been the most severe experienced
in this section of the country since the
memorable seismic disturbance OF 1854.
The earth waves were very percepti.
BILE. In the Photographic darkroom OF
the observatory the water tanks. which
were nearly filled, were shaken to such
an extent that considerable quantity
Of water fell upon the floor.
A number of windows were broken
in Cambridge, and one man declares
that his wife was thrown from her bed
by the shock. :,
At Worcester people were aroused
by a distinct jar of their homes and a
rumbling sound. They called news
paper Offices by telephone to ask II
there had been an explosion in the city.
Burlington, VIA slight shock of
earthquake was felt in this city at
1.O4 O'Clock. Tall buildings were sha-
ken quite perceptibly, the shock travel
ing east to west.
Hartford, Conn.-Several residents OF
this city noticed The earthquake shock
that was felt elsewhere in New Eng
land. Houses vibrated and telephone
receivers were observed to swing on
their hooks.
In Ansonia and Rockville also the
shock was plainly felt. Windows were
ratified and furniture moved.