M1TCHILL ON THE EARTHQUAKES, &C. IN THE AZORES. 327 



St. George, heretofore rich in cattle, corn, and wine, had been so ex- 

 tensively damaged, that a spectacle of greater desolation and distress 

 has rarely been witnessed in any part of the world. 



In January, 1811, there were other phenomena, of a nature yet more 

 curious, in and near the island of St. Michaels. Mr. Thomas Hickling 

 related, that on the 29th, 30th, and 31st of that month, the people of 

 that place were very much alarmed by frequent shocks of earthquakes, 

 probably twenty or more. On the 1st of February, information was 

 received that a volcano had broken out in the sea, five leagues west of 

 St. Michael's Port, and half a league from the land, in fifty or sixty, and 

 some fishermen say seventy or eighty, fathoms of water. He repaired 

 immediately to that part of the island, and, to his utter astonishment, 

 beheld a vast column of black smoke issuing out of the ocean. There 

 was then a gale from the southward, which blew the smoke over the 

 land. The sea was excessively agitated, and the surf on the shore was 

 frightful. He Avas assured by the peasants, that the preceding night fire 

 had been emitted. During the ensuing night, several persons whom 

 he directed to keep watch, saw, at different times, fiery appearances 

 like rockets. Large masses, apparently of stone or lava, were thrown 

 above the surface of the water. In eight days, the elements became 

 calm; but a shoal was left, on which the waves rolled in breakers. 



Mr. Andrew Adam, of St. Michaels, also bore witness of the earth- 

 quakes which shook the island, and of the volcano which rose through 

 the sea. He affirmed, that smoke, fire, cinders, ashes, and stones of pro- 

 digious size, proceeded from the watery abyss ; and that great numbers 

 of dead fish, having the appearance of being partly cooked, floated 

 about on the surface. 



But the commotions in the bottom were renewed about five months 

 afterward. Mr. Thomas C. Burkloe, who was on board a vessel in 



