A TOWN SWEPT AWAY. 41 



times waves of more than usually gigantic propor- 

 tions arise, and, after careering over the broad sea 

 in unimpeded majesty, fall with crushing violence 

 on some doomed shore. They rush onward, pass 

 the usual barriers of the sea-beach, and do not retire 

 until horrible devastation has been carried far into 

 the land. 



Maury gives the following anecdote from the 

 notes of a Russian officer, which shows the awful 

 power of such waves : 



" On the 23rd of December 1854, at 9.45 A.M., the 

 shocks of an earthquake were felt on board the 

 Russian frigate Diana, as she lay at anchor in the 

 harbour of Simoda, not far from Jeddo in Japan. 

 In fifteen minutes afterwards (10 o'clock) a large 

 wave was observed rolling into the harbour, and the 

 water on the beach to be rapidly rising. The town, 

 as seen from the frigate, appeared to be sinking. 

 This wave was followed by another; and when the 

 two receded, which was at fifteen minutes past ten, 

 there was not a house, save an unfinished temple, 

 left standing. These waves continued to come 

 and go until half-past two P.M., during which 

 time the frigate was thrown on her beam-ends 

 five times ; a piece of her keel, eighty-one feet 

 long, was torn off; holes were knocked in her by 

 striking on the bottom, and she was reduced to a 

 wreck. In the course of five minutes the water in 

 the harbour fell, it is said, from twenty-three to three 

 feet, and the anchors of the ship were laid bare. 



