30 OLDHAM: THE CACHAR EARTHQUAKE OF lUTH JANUARY 1809. 



south ; the duration 45 seconds. The shock was not preceded by any 

 rumbling noises, nor was the weather disturbed either before or after. 

 The principal shock was followed by a slighter one ten minutes afterwards, 

 and again by another two hours later. Several other shocks were felt 

 during the night, and for the next two days, when the disturbances appear 

 to have ceased. At the jail, the east and west walls have horizontal 

 cracks, and are out of the perpendicular ; wicket damaged, slight cracks 

 in arches. The grave-yard porch shows one side of roof slipped down. 

 The Native Infantry hospital has a bad crack owing to original faulty 

 construction, or to settlement of wall. 



The Deputy Commissioner reported that the earthquake was preceded 

 by a loud rumbling noise compared to that of a heavily laden cart. The 

 crows were much disturbed, flying about and cawing wildly immediately 

 before the shock. The shock was very severe. Almost every brick build- 

 ing suffered more or less. The church spire badly cracked. None of 

 the native houses in the bazaar suffered, and no loss of life was reported. 

 The day had been warmer than usual. 



Returning towards the north-west again, we find the first place from 

 which any notice of the shock is given to be — 



Goal-para. — There the shocks were severe and accompanied by loud 

 rumbling. Several masonry buildings were slightly damaged; the motion 

 was thought to be from north to south by one, from the south by another. 

 Another slight shock was felt about 10 minutes after the first, and 

 several others followed during the night. Again at 3h. 45m. a.m. 

 on the 14th. 



Jalpdignri. — First shock felt at 4k. 55m. p.m. on the 10th. It 

 was preceded by a loud rumbling, like that made by a railway train 

 passing over a bridge. The oscillations continued about 50 seconds, 

 at first smart, then decreasing, again smart, and then again the vibra- 

 tions decreased. The direction as nearly as can be guessed was from 

 north-west to south-east. A large pool of water in the bed of the river 

 was slightly agitated, and objects, such as men and carts, coming up from 

 the ferry appeared moving up and down. A building of bad masonry, 

 ( 30 ) 



