Old Cumbria Gazetteer - NY63: earthquake 18710317 1835 etc


included in:-	NY63
	NY63: earthquake 18710317 1835 etc
locality:-	Culgaith
locality:-	Whitehaven
county:-	Cumbria
locality type:-	earthquake epicentre
locality type:-	earthquake plus
coordinates:-	NY69723511
1Km square:-	NY6935
10Km square:-	NY63
SummaryText:-	Series of shocks 17-18 March 1871.
references:-	British Geological Survey 2010

evidence:-	newspaper:-
source data:-	Cumberland PacquetTranscription from the Cumberland Pacquet, 24th March 1871:- "THE EARTHQUAKE." "On Friday night last the shock of an earthquake was very generally felt throughout the North of England." "At Whitehaven and the surrounding neighbourhood the shock was felt at from a quarter to half-past eleven, and has been variously described to us. In many case windows and doors were violently shaken, and here and there chimney-piece ornaments and other articles were removed from their oridnary position. Singing and other birds, parrots, poultry, &c. were greatly disturbed and frightened. In one case that has been mentioned to us the inmates of the house who had retired to rest, were aroused by the noise occasioned by the violent swinging of the cage and the cries of 'poor poll.' Most people experienced the sensation of a strong vibration pervading their dwellings, adn many heard a noise as of domething heavy having fallen outside the house, and rushed out into the streets to ascertain what had happened. Some heard a rumbling like that of a cart load of cobbles being emptied at a distance; and to others the noise resembled that of a heavily laden cart being dragged along the street with locked wheels. The shock was very severely felt in New Town, the Ginns, and throughout Preston Quarter. The inhabitants of the New Houses felt it in a more than ordinary degree; but though frightened they were not very much hurt. On the Quay sounds and vibrations of a very unusual character were heard and felt. The impression was that the main sewer had fallen in, the engine house gone down, or something of that sort. The peculiar phenomenon was the theme of universal comment next day, and all the statements and descriptions that have come to our knowledge go to confirm the impression that however or wherever the shock was felt, it was that of an earthquake. We have not heard of any material damage having ensued, but great personal consternation and alarm were experienced, especially in the case of persons who were suddenly roused from their slumbers, and for some hours afterwards - even next day, some suffered severely from nervous excitement of the most distressing character." "From St. Bees we have a statement corroborative as to the general prevalence of the earthquake through the Western Division of the county. Our correspondent writes - 'Shortly after 11 o'clock on Friday night several shocks of earthquake were felt in this village and neighbourhood. With the exception of fright occasioned by the unusual phenomenon, no injury has been done.'" "A letter from Egremont informs us that there 'the shock of an earthquake was felt all round the town, and in many places the doors were thrown open, the furinture was shaken, flags were lifted and crockery was broken.'" "From Gosforth we have the report:- Last night (17th) at 11.5 p.m., the residents of Gosforth and the neighbourhood were startled by an earthquake. My attention was attracted by the sound as of a train approaching the town which increased in noise until it appeared to be passing over the paved court-yard; simultaneously with which, the house was shaken to an extent which caused every article of furniture in it to rock and vibrate very perceptibly. The night was dark, misty and calm, close and mild, barometer at 30.50. The movement was lateral, for had it been vertical with that severity it would have certainly done mischief. The direction appeared to be from west to east, and the whole lasted about five seconds." "Our Maryport correspondent says:- 'About 11 p.m. on Friday an earthquake was felt here. It lasted for about two seconds. It shook several houses, and caused some damage. It was also felt at Workington.'" "Our Keswick correspondent reorts that 'general shocks of an earthquake were very distinctly felt in Keswick and for miles around on Friday evening. At half-past six Borrowdale was rendered conscious of the visitation, while at ten minutes past eleven, a severe shock preceded by a low rumbling sound, compared by some to the noise made the roll of heavily laden carriages was felt in Keswick and the vicinity, some residents being awakened from their slumber by the sharp vibration, notably so at Watendlath, where the people quitted their rooms in much alarm. At Wythburn and other places we have heard that the convulsion was so violent as to throw the sleepers from their beds. On Saturday morning this lusus naturae formed a very general topic of conversation in Keswick, the speakers comparing notes together, in which, for once in a way, there was a wonderful unanimity of agreement.'" "Our correspondent at Newlands, Keswick, says:- Friday last was a very mild day, and clouds of vapour drifted slowly along the snow-clad mountains. About 11 o'clock at night the shock of an earthquake, perhaps the greatest that has occurred in the north of England within living memory, was very sensibly felt here, which caused great alarm to parties who heard the strange rumbling sound and felt the vibrations, causing the crockery to rattle and furniture to move. Many people leapt out of bed and described the noise as like the burring of an old wool-wheel, others to that of the rumbling of the wheels of an ordinary vehicle. The discrepancy as to the time when such phenomena occurs arises from the clocks, some being an hour fast." "A shock of earthquake was distinctly felt in Carlisle and the neighbourhood, and some persons state they experienced more than one during the night. Indeed in some parts of the district, shortly after eleven o'clock, a rather sever shock was felt. Many person were aroused from their sleep by the rumbling noise, the house walls seemed to vibrate, and windows and crockery were rattled. Birds in their cages were most distressed and alarmed, and their flutterings could not be accounted for at the time. At Scotby, Dalston, Aspatria, Silloth, Plumpton, and Broadfield the shock was severely felt. At the Garlands Asylum the rumbling noise and shaking of the of the contents of the building was so alarming that Dr. Clouston and Mrs Clouston were aroused from their sleep, and endeavoured to ascertain the cause of the strange noises. At Hutton Hall, near Penrith, the shock had a most distressing effect upon the game, the pheasants quite alarming the servants by the manner in which they fluttered about. At Plumpton the shock was very distinct. At Silloth it was felt about three minutes to eleven, accompanied by the usual rumbling sounds. In the neighbourhood of Broadfield there was a slight movement shortly after eleven, and a few minutes later a more marked trembling of the earth. A gentleman residing near Blencogo describes the noise as resembling that of a rat running about in the fire-place; and a lady in Carlisle who heard the noise fancied that it was a runaway cart rattling over the stony street. In the neighbourhood of Castlecarrock the windows were shaken as by a strong wind. In various places where the shock was felt it was in the first place attributed to the effects of a hurricane, and not unfrequently to the operations of housebreakers." "[reports from Preston, parts of Yorkshire, Manchester and other parts of Lancashire]" "Two shocks were experienced at Kendal, the first at about twenty minutes past six, the second at a quarter past eleven. The second was the more violent, and created great alarm. It lasted about ten seconds, and shook many of the lighter articles of furniture from their places. The waters of Windermere rose. The atmosphere was like that preceding a thunder storm." "[reports from Chorley, Ormskirk etc]"

:-	A major event. The epicentre somewhere between Appleby and Alston. Although felt over a wide area, from Galashiels to Nottingham, there was very little damage.
	Musson 1994

date:-	1871
period:-	1870s
period:-	19th century, late
event:-	earthquake

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