CHRONOLOGIC RECORD, 1895.1 January 5.-MOUNT HAMILTON.-"3h 4m 57 a. m. One light shock."-A. L. C. The duplex seismograph registered a disturbance principally northeast and southwest (one wave), the displacement of the earth being 0.5mm. There was a series of vibrations at right angles to this of about mm. January 23.-UKIAH.-A heavy shock of earthquake was felt in this city this morning. After the shock the sky cleared and the rain ceased.-San Jose Mercury, January 23, 1895. January 26.-HELENA, MONT.-An earthquake shock was felt here at 5 o'clock this morning. Small articles were shaken off the shelves.Newspaper report. February 25.-PORTLAND, OREG. 4.47 a. m., standard time. Three slight shocks from northward. TACOMA, WASH., and suburban points to the southward.-Same time. Three slight shocks from S. 10° W. My "home-made" seismograph only records horizontal shocks and showed only inch. The directions noted would place center near Toutle River, where I observed a vertical shock-already reported (1893).-F. G. Plummer, Tacoma, Wash. 20 PORTLAND, OREG.-Three distinct shocks of earthquake were felt here early this morning. Each shock lasted about three seconds. The first occurred at 4.47. The vibrations were from north to south.-San Jose Mercury, February 26, 1895. TACOMA, WASH.-This morning's earthquake shock was plainly felt in Tacoma, on top of the hill, and at Edison, at Sumner, Puyallup, and Steilacoom. There were three light vibrations occurring just before 5 o'clock, the general trend being from north to south, though at Steilacoom the vibrations seemed to be from east to west.-San Jose Mercury, February 26, 1895. March 1.—AYATLAN, MEXICO.-Inhabitants of southwestern Mexico are alarmed over the frequent earthquake shocks which have occurred during the last month. Although little damage has been done, the helpless people are in great trepidation. Shocks are accompanied by subterranean rumblings, followed by a discharge as from an artillery, which shakes the earth for nearly half a minute at a time. The recent outbreak of the subocean volcano off the Pacific coast, in Guerrero, is This list contains several occurrences the correctness of which may well be doubted. These cases rest upon newspaper report entirely and are of such a nature that there should be confirmatory evidence before accepting them. It has been thought best to include these doubtful cases, however, and they are indicated by some note after them. ascribed as the reason for the frightful demonstrations.-San Francisco Examiner, March 2, 1895. AT SEA, off the Mendocino (Cal.) coast; longitude 125° 20', latitude 40°. The recent earthquake which was reported as having disturbed the inhabitants of Mendocino proved to be a veritable terror at sea, according to the stories told by the crews of the schooners Volant and C. T. Hill, which have just arrived from that section of the coast. The Volant was holding up to a stiff breeze about 52 miles off the Mendocino coast, in the vicinity of Shelter Cove, when she encountered the shake up. It took place a few minutes before 1 o'clock on the morning of March 1. The sea had been quite calm all night, but the breeze kept up well, and there was nothing to indicate that anything unusual was about to happen. The first warning of the earthquake came in the form of a deafening roar which seemed to rise out of the sea. In an instant the ocean was lashed into a mass of foam, and in spots it rose in great geyser-like columns. The schooner stopped with a crash and then shook for fully two minutes. Every timber and bolt groaned and creaked, and it was thought for a moment that she was going down. Those on deck were knocked down. The schooner pounded up and down frightfully for a few minutes, just as if she were aground, and then all became still. We had scarcely recovered our senses when a second shock came, but it was not nearly so severe as the first. When this one was over the sea became as still as a mill pond, the wind died out, and everything was as quiet as death. The schooner C. T. Hill, which was carrying lumber to this port from Willapa Harbor, was also tossed about by the temblor. She was only a few miles astern of the Volant at the time. Captain Forest's story of the experience is similar to that told by the crew of the Volant. He was unable to determine, however, what had caused the commotion until he had consulted with the mate of the Volant yesterday. Previous to that he was of the opinion that he had encountered a wreck or a reef, and had intended reporting to that effect to the Merchants' Exchange.-San Francisco Chronicle. NOTE.-Inquiries addressed to the captains of the vessels named, through the Merchants' Exchange of San Francisco, elicited no reply.— C. D. P. The following paragraphs by Dr. Edward S. Holden, from the Publications of the Astronomical Society of the Pacific, Vol. VII, 1895, page 131, is of interest: "The San Francisco Chronicle of March 8, 1895, gives an account of a severe earthquake shock experienced by two vessels some 50 miles off Cape Mendocino, in longitude 125° 20', latitude 40° (both approximate). "My List of Recorded Earthquakes in California (1887) contains several notices of shocks felt in this vicinity, as follows: "At sea, 45 miles WSW. of Cape Mendocino; "At sea, 50 miles WSW. from Cape Mendocino; "At sea, longitude 125° 20', latitude 40° (as above).' "A relief map of the ocean bed near Cape Mendocino, made by Prof. George Davidson and Mr. Winston, shows the coast to be very 'steep-to'; and it further shows two submarine mountains in the neighborhood. The slipping of the earth at the junction of the steep submarine cliff with the (comparatively) flat ocean floor may very well be the cause of some of these disturbances. It is also possible, at least, that they are connected with the two submarine elevations mentioned. More observations are needed to decide this question. It is a little remarkable that we have reports of shocks felt at sea in this vicinity and none, or few, at other points along the coast." March 10-SAN MIGUEL ISLAND.-This is one of a chain of islands about 30 miles off the coast, near Santa Barbara, Cal. On March 17 newspapers published reports of a disturbance on this island about March 8, by which the shore in places was elevated 60 feet and other considerable changes wrought. Another disturbance is reported about March 30, by which a small schooner was wrecked in the harbor at the island. A third disturbance was reported in July on Flea Island, an islet in the immediate neighborhood. Through the kindness of Mr. J. J. Hollister, of Santa Barbara, we learn that there was a large landslide on San Miguel Island. This fact was worked up by a newspaper reporter into a very sensational article. CORDOBA, MEXICO.-The peak of Orizaba is reported in press dispatches to be in a state of eruption after many centuries of quiescence. March 12.-MOUNT HAMILTON.-"9h 31m 178 p. m., Pacific standard. One short, sharp, vertical shock. Rossi-Forel V."-E. S. H. 9h 34m 178 p. m., Pacific standard. (In sitting room on Ptolemy.) Strong vertical shock, followed by two very quick weak shocks. All three lasted less than 1. Absolutely no horizontal component noted. Intensity of first shock IV or V."-W. W. C. ❝9h 34m 178 p. m., Pacific standard. One sharp shock followed by one or two slight tremors. Doors and other objects rattled in third story of brick dwelling. Rossi-Forel V."-C. D. P. The duplex seismograph recorded several small vibrations without any decided tendency as to direction; the displacement of the earth being about mm. March 22.-STEAMBOAT SPRINGS, COLO.-A letter from Steamboat Springs, Colo., which is far from railroad or telegraph lines, dated March 22, says: "To-day about 1 o'clock a distinct earthquake shock was felt in the Yampa Valley from Pleasant Valley, about 12 miles south of Steamboat Springs, to Hayden, about 25 miles west of town. The shock was accompanied by a report, resembling the discharge of a blast in a mine, accompanied by a long, low rumbling sound. The sound was accompanied by a distinct vibration, from east to west, and violent enough to cause windows to rattle and dishes and spoons to dance.”— San Jose Mercury, March 25, 1895. April 1.-EUREKA.—At 8.42 o'clock this morning a sharp shock of earthquake was felt here. The vibrations were from southwest to northeast.-Newspaper report. April 6.-SAN JOSE.-The Evening News reported a shock "just before 7 a. m." The correspondent of the San Francisco Chronicle reported a shock about 6.45 a. m. Not felt at Lick Observatory. April 16.-PORT TOWNSEND, WASH.-Two slight shocks of earthquake were felt here shortly after midnight last night. Heavy brick buildings trembled and many people were frightened badly.-San Francisco Examiner, April 17, 1895. April 17.-VACAVILLE.—Quite a sharp earthquake shock was felt here this morning about 12.30 o'clock. Some people were quite uneasy, it being only two days from the third anniversary of the great shock of April 19, 1892, when so much damage was done. VIRGINIA, NEV.-There was a short, sharp seismic shock at 6 o'clock this evening.-San Francisco Chronicle, April 18, 1895. April 18.-UKIAH.—A small unnamed island off the coast of this county (Mendocino), opposite Bournes Landing, is now in a state of eruption, according to the report of an observer. For some time past it has been reported that flames were issuing from the center of the isle. J. E. Meredith, who resides in Trinity County and who has been traveling along the northern coast for some weeks, passed the island Thursday. It was some time during the early evening, and he was attracted by a bright light in the west. The flames were so brilliant that he at first imagined they were caused by a burning ship at sea. On his return south the next day, however, he discovered smoke curling up and then saw it emanated from a peak on the island.-San Jose Mercury, April 22, 1895. NOTE. This has not been verified.-C. D. P. April 19.-VICTORIA, BRITISH COLUMBIA.-A slight shock of earthquake, moving from east to west, was felt here a little before midnight. Buildings all through the city trembled and all the telephone calls came down together with a clatter.-Newspaper report. April 27.-CITY OF MEXICO, MEXICO.-Colima volcano is again in a state of eruption, emitting great columns of smoke and fire, both night and day. The inhabitants of the immediate neighborhood of the volcano are leaving their homes.-Newspaper report. May 1.—LAKEPORT.-Quite a severe shock of earthquake was felt here at 2.30 o'clock this morning. The vibrations were from west to east and lasted from five to seven seconds. No damage was done. UKIAH.-May day opened with a severe shock of earthquake. It occurred at 3 o'clock and lasted some seconds.-Newspaper report. May 21.-SAN JOSE-MOUNT HAMILTON.-The telephone operator in San Jose reported a shock of earthquake in San Jose about 10.45 a. m. W. W. C. and R. H. T. (at Mount Hamilton) noticed rattling about that time, but felt nothing. The duplex instrument shows a slight mark, probably from this shock, of 1mm (earth's movement 1m).-N. W. Later it was learned that the nitroglycerin works at Pinole, Contra Costa County, had exploded at 10.40 on that morning. Doubtless the shock noted above was due to this explosion. Pinole is nearly 60 miles, air line, from Mount Hamilton. May 28 to 31. PERU AND CHILE.-San Francisco, July 19.-South American advices brought by the steamer San Blas to-day state that the south coast of Peru and the coast of Chile north of Valparaiso have been visited by a tidal wave which has done a great deal of damage. Earthquake shocks preceded the marine disturbance, and at Serena on May 28, at 1.30 a. m., a severe earthquake lasting forty-five seconds occurred. At 3.55 o'clock another shock followed. The shocks were felt along the coast, and on May 31 there were several severe shocks, and after one of them the sea made an incursion inland to a distance of 200 meters.-San Jose Mercury, July, 1895. June 4. SAN FRANCISCO.-A blast of 15,000 pounds of powder was exploded on Clarendon Heights. No effect was noticed at Mount Hamilton. June 11.-A newspaper report from New Whatcom, Wash., says Mount Baker (40 miles away) has been smoking or steaming, and that a new peak has appeared between the dome and south peak, visible at New Whatcom with the naked eye. NOTE. This report has not been verified.-C. D. P. June 15.-PORT TOWNSEND, WASH., June 16.-Chimacum, a small farming center 4 miles from here, was terribly shaken last night at 8 o'clock by the falling of a huge meteor, which burst with a loud noise, and after causing a small sized cyclone of several minutes' duration buried itself deep in the muddy bottom of a neighboring lagoon. The meteor struck with force enough to break crockery in farmhouses 3 miles away and created great terror among the residents. Ten hours after the occurrence the waters of the lagoon were still bubbling and seething, and were found to be hot. Systematic dragging of the lagoon failed to bring up any traces of the celestial messenger.—San Francisco Examiner, June 17, 1895. June 20.-MOUNT HAMILTON.-9h 43m 268 p. m., Pacific standard. "One shock of intensity II or III, northeast and southwest, third-story brick house."-C. D. P. The duplex instrument shows a single displacement of the earth of about in a northeast-and-southwest direction with several very small vibrations at the end. Bull. 147-2 |