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The following paper on earthquakes in California, 

 •jfrom 1812to 1855, was presented by J. B. Trask : 



In preparing this paper I have endeavored to ob- 

 jtain, as far as possible, the most correct information 

 'of the history of these phenomena in former years, 

 and to correct some of the misapprehensions and 

 statements which have appeared from time to time 

 relating to the severity of earthquake shocks in this 

 country during the earlier periods of its history. 



From careful inquiry of the older residents, I can 

 learn of but one shock that has proved in the slight- 

 est degree serious, causing the destruction of either 

 life or property to any extent. This was the earth- 

 quake of September, 1812, which destroyed the Mis- 

 sions San Jaun Capistrano, in Los Angeles coun- 

 ty, and that of Viejo, in the valley of San Inez, in 

 the county of Santa Barbara. 



The following is the history of that event as I 

 have obtained it from the native inhabitants, and 

 older foreign residents on this coast: 



The day was clear and uncommonly warm ; it 

 being Sunday the people had assembled at San Juan 

 Capistrano for evening service. About half an hour 

 after the opening of service, an unusual loud, but 

 distant rushing sound was heard in the atmosphere 

 Eo the east and over the water, which resembled the 

 sound of strong wind, but as the sound approached 

 no perceptible breeze accompanied it. The seawas 

 f-mooth and the air calm. So distant and loud was 

 this atmospheric sound that several left the building 

 attracted by its noise. 



Immediately following tho sound, the first and 

 heaviest shock of the earthquake occurred, which 

 was sufficiently severe to prostrate the Mission 

 church almost in a body, burying iu its ruins the 

 most of those who remained behind, when the first 

 indication of its approach was heard. 



The shock was very sadden and almost without 

 warning, save from the rushing sound above noted, 

 and to its occurrence at that moment is to be attri- 

 buted the loss of life that followed. 



The number reported to have been killed outright, 

 is variously estimated from thirty to forty-five, (the 

 largest number of persons agree on the smallest 

 number of deaths given), but in the absence of records 

 such statements should be received with many grains 

 of allowance, where memory alone is the only means 

 left, and the term of forty-three year3 has elapsed 

 to the period at which this account was placed on pa- 

 per. A considerable number are reported to have 

 been badly injured. 



There is a universal agreement on this point, viz : 

 that the first shock threw down the entire built! inn, 

 find that a large number of persons were in it at 

 that moment, and under the circumstances it would 

 be most singular if no deaths were caused by such an 

 event. 



The motion of the earth is described as having 

 lifted vertically, attended by a vortical movement. 

 Xo undulatory motion is described by any one. Diz- 

 ziness and naseau seized almost every person in the 

 vicinity. 



A heavy, loud, deep rumbling, accompanied the 

 successive shocks that followed, and which were five 

 in number, all having the motion above described, 

 though comparatively light in their effects to the 

 first. The sounds attending the phenomena came ap- 

 parently from the South and Ea8t. 



In the valley of San Inez, to the south and west 

 of Santa Barbara, the rnins now known as the 'Mis 

 won Viejo/' was also completely destroyed : the dis- 

 tance between Capistrano and San Inez being about 

 I . miles. The shock which destroyed this building 



occurred about one hour after tJie former, and ffitf 

 inhabitants had left the building but a few minutes 

 before it fell, service having closed. The first shock 

 felt here prostrated the building, as in the preceding 

 case. 



A Spanish ship which lay at anchor off San Bue- 

 naventura, 38 miles from Santa Barbara, was mack 

 injured by the shock, and leaked to that extent, that 

 it became necessary to beach her, and remove the 

 most of her cargo. 



It is an interesting fact, and at the same time 

 somewhat remarkable, that the time which elapsed 

 between the advent of the shocks at Capistrano and 

 San Inez is widely variant from what we should 

 look for, when the distance apart and velocity of mo- 

 tion in earthquakes are taken into consideration. 



The effect of this earthquake on the sea, in the 

 bay of Santa Barbara, is described as follows: " The 

 sea was observed to recede from the shore during 

 the continuance of the shocks, and left the latter 

 dry for a considerable distance, when it returned in 

 five or sis heavy rollers, which overflowed the plain 

 on which Santa Barbara is built. The inhabitants 

 saw the recession of the sea, and being aware of the 

 danger on its return, fled to the adjoining hills near 

 the town to escape the probable deluge. 



The sea on its return flowed inland little more thai; 

 half a mile, and reached the lower part of the town, 

 doing but trifling damage, destroying three small 

 adobe buildings. 



Very little damage was done to the houses in town 

 from the effects of the shocks, while the Mission at 

 the San Inez was prostrated almost instantly. There 

 is no evidence that I can find, that this earthquake 

 was felt in San Luis Obispo, though such has been 

 the report. 



Prior to 1812 I have not been able to learn of the 

 occurrence of this phenomena, that appear to have 

 been particularly severe or destructive, and that 

 they have not been so, is evidenced in the fact that 

 from the foundation of the first Mission at San Diego 

 in 1763. a period of eighty-six years has passed, du- 

 ring which time, but one. and that the above, finds a 

 place either in their history or the memory of those 

 now living, traditionary or otherwise. 



From the date of the above to the year 1850, we 

 have no record of the occurrence of these phenome- 

 na, other than the fact that light and repeated shocks 

 were common in the country. 



During IS50 the following shocks were recorded, 

 but it is probable that several were n»t noted, as we 

 find their frequency bears no relation to those which 

 have occurred during subsequent years. 



1850. 



March 12. — A light shock was felt in San Jose. 



May 13 — A light shock in San Francisco. Aa 

 eruption of Manua Loa, S. I., and shock same day. 



June 28. — A light shock in San Francisco 



August 4. — A smart shock was felt in Stockton 

 and Sacramento. 



Sept. 11. — Smart shock at San Francisco and San 

 Joae. Total number recorded in 1850, five. 



1351. 



May 15 — Three severe shocks in San Francisco 

 During this earthquake windows were broken and. 

 buildings severely shaken. A large amount of mer- 

 chandize was thrown down in a store on California 

 street. The shipping in the harbor rolled heavily. — 

 An eruption of Manna Loa and shock in the S. I. 

 same day. 



Mai/ 17.— A light shock in San Francisco. 



M-iy 2?. — A light ?':iock on the Salinas. 



