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Virginia Argus
Richmond, Virginia
What is this article about?
A severe earthquake struck Caracas and La Guaira on March 26, destroying the cities and villages, killing around 10,000 people including one American, Mr. Crowell of New York. Survivors buried or burned the dead amid aftershocks; reported in Baltimore on April 20 via Captain Betts.
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Baltimore, April 20.
By captain Betts, from Laguira, we learn, that on the 26th of March, at 4 o'clock, P. M. there was a very severe shock of an EARTHQUAKE, which destroyed nearly the whole of the city of Caracas, and all the town of Laguira, with all the neighbouring villages—ten thousand people were buried in the ruins—two thousand five hundred in Laguira—one American only perished, viz. Mr. CROWELL, of N. York. Four shocks were heard and felt on the night following, not heavy enough to do any damage. On the 27th, the survivors were employed in digging the dead from under the ruins, putting them in large lighters, carrying them outside of the shipping, and burying them in the sea. On the 28th the sea was so rough as to prevent them taking the dead off—then they built a large fire near the wharf, and commenced burning them, and burned about forty at a time in one fire. On the 29th, the stench had become so bad that they quit digging the dead from under the ruins. All the survivors pitched tents on the plains of Magetere. On the 4th of April there was a very hard shock, which made the vessels tremble as if they had been on a reef of rocks in a heavy sea; and from on board the Independence we could see the mountains move like a ship in a heavy sea, and large pieces scaling off them. At half past 5, the Independence sailed, so that he could not tell what damage had been done.
C. H. Books.
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Where did it happen?
Domestic News Details
Primary Location
Caracas And Laguira
Event Date
26th Of March
Key Persons
Outcome
nearly the whole city of caracas and all of la guira with neighbouring villages destroyed; ten thousand people buried in the ruins, two thousand five hundred in laguira; one american, mr. crowell of n. york, perished. subsequent shocks on following night and april 4; dead buried at sea or burned; survivors tented on plains of magetere.
Event Details
On the 26th of March at 4 o'clock P.M. a severe earthquake shock destroyed nearly the whole of Caracas and all of La Guira with neighbouring villages. Four lighter shocks followed that night. On the 27th survivors dug out and buried dead at sea. On the 28th rough sea led to burning bodies near wharf, about forty at a time. On the 29th stench stopped digging. On April 4 another hard shock made vessels tremble and mountains move visibly from aboard the Independence, which sailed at half past 5.