234 
THE GEOLOGY OF NEW ZEALAND. 
The vessel was supposed to be the Active, which was lost in 
1814. How great an alteration must that locality have under¬ 
gone since it was stranded there, when in a period of thirty- 
the effect before or after the principal shock was evident (it ranged from 
29 - 30 to 30 00), nor that the calm preceding, or the gale attending, the earth¬ 
quake, had any connexion with the subterraneous convulsions.* We witnessed, 
during the 48 hours following, every variety of wind and weather, yet with 
repeated shocks; but although I would disconnect the atmospheric influence 
with the earthquakes, we had every reason to believe the latter had immediate 
local influence on the atmosphere, producing violent gusts after the shock. 
It is a fact, that as action, or firing, wall produce a local calm by the dis¬ 
turbance of the atmosphere, the phenomenon here may be more easily ac¬ 
counted for. But a more interesting and extraordinary phenomenon occurred 
(I say extraordinary because no person appeal’s to have observed it in the 
earthquake of 1848); for eight hours subsequent to the first and great shock, 
the tide approached and receded from the shore every twenty minutes, rising 
from eight to ten fe<jt, and receding four feet lower than at spring tides. One 
ship, I heard, was aground at her anchorage four times. The ordinary tide 
seemed quite at a discount, for the following day (24th) it scarcely rose at all. 
The general effects of the earthquake were evidently felt more upon the 
lower parts of the town; at the Hutt most severely. The bridge there was 
destroyed, and the houses much damaged. I am also informed the Porirua 
road is sunk in places. 
Recurring to our landing after the first shock, Lieutenant Jones and myself 
went into several houses. The panic was certainly great, and many accepted 
the offer to go on board, the houses we were in swinging to and fro, and the 
ground in a constant tremulous motion. It was sufficient to unnerve the 
stoutest hearts; but after a delay of three or four hours (in which we were 
visiting other parts of the town), on returning to the parties who had accepted 
an asylum on board, we found one and all had determined to abide on shore, 
indeed they were getting accustomed to it. The wives would not desert the 
husbands, and the husbands would not desert the town. 
We returned to the ship at two a.m., the tide having at that time receded 
about four feet lower than at ordinary spring tide. 
On the 24th the shock continued ; but at greater intervals as the day ad¬ 
vanced; but the tremulous motion was continuous. 
The scene on the streets was novel; some people standing at their thres¬ 
holds, groups upon mats, clear of the houses, or in tents in their gardens. 
Those who had suffered less than their neighbours were assiduous in rendering 
assistance. What a different scene would have occurred in the fatherland! With 
* With due deference to Captain Drury, I am inclined to attribute the chief cause of earth¬ 
quakes to alteration in barometrical pressure. During many years’ observation, I have invariably 
remarked, that they have been either preceded or followed by severe gales or storms; and it 
appears reasonable to suppose, that when the internal pressure is greater than the external, the 
earth's crust will bo subject to these convulsions, in proportion to the greater or less solidity of 
its strata. 
