404 



On Central American Earthquakes, etc. 



[Mar. 6, 



and in describing the earthquakes and disturbances and eruptions of 

 1835, speaks of their effects in New Granada, Nicaragua, Popayan, 

 Bogota, Sta. Marta, Caracas, Hayti, Curacao, and Jamaica. 



I think it may be of interest to record my personal observations of 

 the earthquakes and eruptions of 1838 as given in the log of H.M.S. 

 " Imogene," Captain (afterwards Sir Henry) Bruce, in which I was 

 then serving. 



On Friday, November 16, 1838, noon, Lat. 6° 2' N., Long., 82° 9' W. 

 Eio Lejo (to which we were bound from Panama) bearing N. 38, W. 

 490 miles. At 10 P.M. we felt the shock of an earthquake. 



Tuesday, November 20, 1838, at 3.5 A.M., noon of that day, Lat., 

 9° 17' N., Long. 85° 2' W. Three heavy shocks in succession. 

 Calm c. r. The topsails were lowered on the cap, and the ship lay 

 till daylight, uncertain whether she had struck on a wreck or whether 

 she was damaged. She rolled over to the limit of her capacity on 

 three successive occasions. 



At daylight (6 A.M.) all hands were sent for to see an extraordinary 

 spectacle. The sea was white, as if it had been mixed with marl, and, 

 as far as the eye could reach, the sea was covered with fish of various 

 kinds stunned by the concussion. The boats picked up a sufficient 

 supply for the ship's company, principally albacore, bonita, and dolphin. 

 Some turtle were also captured. 



We anchored in Bio Lejo on November 25, and remained there 

 till November 30, 1838. 



On the 1st December, we communicated with H.M.S, " Sulphur," 

 Captain E. Belcher, then surveying the Gulf of Fonseca. Cosequina 

 was in eruption, but El Viejo was quiescent. Belcher had ascended 

 El Viejo on February 10, 1838, without difficulty, but Cosequina was 

 in active eruption. 



No record, so far as I know, has been published of this seismic 

 disturbance ; and although newspapers, received sometime after at 

 Guaymas, reported synchronous disturbances at Tobago and elsewhere, 

 no information except that contained in Mr. Squier's report is to be 

 found on the subject. 



It would seem desirable that the inquiry, so well carried out by 

 Dr. Tempest Anderson and Dr. Flett should be extended into Colombia 

 and Central America. The disturbance to which I have alluded above 

 is traceable for more than 1500 miles. 



The Colonial Office informs me that an earthquake was reported at 

 St. Lucia on January 11, 1839, doing much damage. No information 

 is recorded as to Tobago. 



