] 
: 
ON THE FACTS AND THEORY OF EARTHQUAKE PHENOMENA. 129 
although one was, as is customary, on the ‘look-out’ at the time of the occurrence, 
noted no disturbance. It appears to have been perceived about two miles east of 
this station, near the point indicated by the line A on the accompanying map, 
Plate XIII., and seems to have been confined between this and the line B. At 
‘Ballyhealy,’ a little further east, it was not observed. 
«From inquiries into the details of the appearance, I learned from Mr. Campbell 
at Kilmore, that six distinct ridges of water, about 2 or 3 feet high, passed from the 
west towards the east, very much discoloured and carrying with them large quan- 
tities of sea-weed. There was a considerable space between each pair in which the 
water was of its usual colour, and quite calm, as was the sea generally, there being 
no wind to disturb it. 
“These ridges did not proceed in (broken?) waves, but in continuous lines, and 
passed on apparently unchecked, while the tide rose and receded on the shore within 
them, which it didseven times. Itis stated that, at the second reflux, the water fell 
lower than it was ever known by the residents there to fall before. 
“Tt would appear that the ridges maintained their velocity sufficiently to force 
back the ebb, which flows rapidly round Carnsore Point (nearly three knots an hour) 
until they passed St. Patrick’s Bridge, where the ebb-tide regained its motion west- 
ward in the shape of the ‘cascade’ mentioned by Mr. Campbell in the printed 
account. 
“The disturbance lasted, according to his statement, from 20 minutes past 4 to 
nearly 7 o’clock p.m. 
«On inquiring at the ‘ Bar of Lough,’ I found that at about half-ebb the watch- 
man at the Coast-Guard Station, who was in the watchhouse, which is built on the 
edge of the sea, felt the flocr tremble under his feet, and at the same time the fire- 
irons and other articles of furniture shook and rattled audibly. He was also startled 
by ‘an extraordinary noise’ outside. On going out to ascertain the cause, he found 
that a large wave was forcing back the ebb. This was repeated three times. The 
first wave only, however, was accompanied by noise. 
«« A schooner was lying inside the Lough, at the place marked C, from the master 
of which, I learned that his vessel was three times swung round, standing alter- 
nately to the flood and ebb. He was below, when he had the first intimation of it, 
and described his being affected with a strange sensation, as if he were getting sick. 
This I believe is not uncommon in cases of earthquake. 
« Mr. Lett, R.N., the Coast-Guard officer here, upon whom I called, made to me 
a statement confirming what I had collected by inquiry. 
«There seems little doubt that the whole thing was caused by a slight shock of 
earthquake. 
“From the information I had at Kilmore from Mr. Campbell, I have laid down 
lines on the accompanying map, exhibiting the ridges as described by him, and 
endeavouring to illustrate, by the curved arrows, the action of the ebb-tide upon 
them. “James B. Farrevyi, Wexford County Surveyor.” 
“With reference to the communication addressed to you on the tidal action on 
Wexford coast, I may mention that since it was sent to you, further information 
shows that it extended beyond the limits marked by Mr. Farrell, having, by the 
report of the Coast-Guard, turned Carnsore Point : ne has written to the Inspect- 
ing Commander of the Coast-Guard, to request he will follow it up, and ascertain 
how far north the effect was observed. 
“Yours, dear Sir, faithfully, 
“To Robert Mallet, Esq. “Jno. RADCLIFFE.” 
21 Oct. 1854.” 
Referring to Plate XITI., it would appear probable that the primary cotidal line of 
these waves was about in the direction C C of the heavy dotted line, and that the 
change of direction, on approaching the shore about B, was due to the conjoint 
effects, of the meeting ebb tidal-stream round Carnsore Point, of reflection at the 
Saltees, and of inequality of bottom on reaching the inshore shoal-waters. 
An almost identical train of phenomena occurred at the same point upon the 
Wexford shore on Sunday, 12th September, 1841. The account is given by Milne, 
“On British Earthquakes,’’ Edinb. New Philos. Journ. vol. xxxvi. p. 83, and copied 
1858. K 
