Professor Smith on the Effects of Earthquakes, §c. 93 
But this invention will be of more special use as fuel for 
steam engines applied to navigation—the purpose principally 
for which I have purchased the patent right. 
This may be the subject of another communication. 
Art. XXII. On the changes which have taken place in the 
Wells of Water situated in Columbia, South-Carolina, since 
the Earthquakes of 1811-12. By Epwarv Darrett 
Smirn, M. D., Professor of Chemical and Experimental 
Philosophy and Mineralogy, in the South-Carolina Col- 
lege. 
To Professor Silliman. 
Dear Sir, 
Is answer to your inquiry respecting the changes in our 
wells, since the memorable period of the earthquakes, I would 
make the following observations : 
These tremendous convulsions of nature commenced in 
December, 1811, and were continued, at intervals, until the 
latter end of the succeeding month of March, with different 
degrees of violence, in this and some of the adjacent States. 
In November, 1812, [ visited this town, and then understood 
that the Wells, which are generally very deep, had an abun- 
dance of water in them. ‘This continued to be the case for 
about one year after; and in the College well, in particular, 
which was a remarkably fine one, there were always about 
twelve feet of water, notwithstanding its daily consumption by 
more than two hundred persons. Shortly after this time, many 
of the Wells in the town began to fail in their usual supply of 
Water, although they were frequently cleaned out, and occa- 
Sonally deepened. Their state became worse every year, 
until, at length, about three years since, some of them proved 
% be entirely dry, and most of the others had their water tur- 
hid, and diminished to the depth of only two or three feet. 
