506 
Proceedings of Royal Society of Edinburgh. [sess. 
Notes on some Earthquakes in India. Ey J. W. Inglis, 
Mem. Inst. C.E. 
(Read July 19, 1897.) 
On 5th July we had the pleasure of listening to the paper on 
the “ Calcutta Earthquake ” of 12th June 1897, by Mr Heath, B.A. 
It occurred to me that the Royal Society might he pleased to 
have a narrative account from one of its Fellows, by following up 
the subject. There is nothing scientific in this paper, and it is 
brevity itself ; at the same time it may he interesting, as the facts 
are from personal experience of some earthquakes during my 
residence in India of nigh quarter of a century. 
Mr Heath observed casually that a portion of the spire of the 
Episcopal) Cathedral at Calcutta had fallen, and from the news- 
ers I read that many of the public buildings, such as the High 
t of Judicature, the Museum, and many others, were badly 
.*ed. If any one would like to see photographs of these build- 
s before injury took place, I thought it might be of interest to 
mce my albums at the disposal of the President ; so that, after 
the meeting is over, I could, if required, turn up the pages 
But, to my subject. 
After the lapse of forty-one years, I read in a paper recently 
that the centre of the volcanic disturbance which has caused so 
much destruction in different parts of Bengal is definitely ascribed 
to a spot in the Bay of Bengal. I have always hoped that an 
experience which I had many years ago might some day be made 
clear : that pleasure, I think, I have at last attained. 
During a long voyage to India in 1856, which occupied 118 
days, one of not a few wonders on the deep was experienced on 
21st October, when we were greatly alarmed by the ship suddenly 
receiving two or three severe bumps (it was in the forenoon). 
I can well recall the circumstance, for the sensation was exactly as 
if the vessel had struck a sandbank ! All hands were at once 
summoned on deck; most of the passengers (we were about fifty 
