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PNSN > Catalogs and Data > Historic EQs of the PNW > Puget Sound Quakes > June 1869 Puget Sound Earthquakes |
Two Olympia papers report very unusual disturbances in Puget Sound:
"Persons who were near the shores of the Sound last Sunday, when the earthquake struck, witnessed a singular spectacle. They state that the water near the shores swarmed with fish of all varieties, seemingly desirous of escaping from the deep to terra firma. Evidently, the waters were more agitated than their surface indicated; in no other way can this phenomenon be accounted for."
OLYMPIA-Two More Shocks of Earthquake. Olympia, June 28th. Another heavier shock of earthquake than the one of Tuesday was felt last evening, at eight o'clock, bringing everybody into the street and causing much excitement. Another lighter one was felt by many about midnight.
(The same account apears on page 1 of the San Francisco Chronicle, June 29, 1869)
N-Vic 2517
Daily British Columnist
Victoria, B.C.
Tuesday, June 29, 1869. Pg. 3
1869
The earthquake of Sunday evening was ___ felt on the Sound. At Olympia and Seattle people rushed from the hotels and dwellings
into the streets; but it appears that duing the previous week there were ___ sharp shocks which were not felt at Victoria. The
`Pacific Tribune says:-"on ___nday afternoon last a slight shock, perceptible to comparatively few of our people, was felt in
Swantown and Olympia. It was ____ for Tuesday morning, however, to ____ demonstration which not only convinced the most
skeptical, but one which terrified all who are in the least inclined to timidity. At a few minutes before five o'clock on the
last named morning, a shock was felt which awaked from the soundest slumbers nearly all who had not yet arisen, and seriously
alarmed those who were astir that hour, many of whom felt an earthquake then for the first time. A somewhat remarkable event,
which probably has some connection with the earthquake, is said to have occurred in the Cowlitz River on Monday, the day
previous. Mr. R.H. Howe, the telegraph operator at Pumphrey's, sent word by wires that that river, which is noted for the
particular clearness and placidity of its waters, was disturbed by some cause unknown to the people; the water becoming ____
very muddy throughout the entire day and remaining for some time. This was observed by persons living in the vicinity and
excited much wonder and comment.
N-WA 2549
The Olympia Transcript
Olympia, WA
Saturday, July 3, 1869, Local Items
1869
Strange Phenomena. -- A strange phenomena was observed on Sunday evening last, at Jeal's Point, nine miles below this place, and
probably at other points. Some fifteen minutes before the shock of earthquake was felt, an Indian woman who happened to be near
to the residence of Mr. Jeal discovered and (sic) immense multitude of fish of all kinds known to these water, floating on the
surface of the bay. She called to those in the house to see. Mr. Jeal, Mr. Ball and "Captain Harry" all went to the door and saw
such a sight as none of them ever before beheld. As far as they could see the surface of the bay the water was literally covered
with fish.
N-WA 2552
Pacific Tribune
Olympia, WA
July 3, 1869
1869
Another shock. -- On Sunday evening last, at five minutes to 8 o'clock, another earthquake shock was felt. It created some alarm
but no damage. We are waiting patiently for the next one.
N-WA 2553
Pacific Tribune
Olympia, WA
July 3, 1869
1869
A Phenomenon - Persons who were near the shores of the Sound last Sunday, when the earthquake struck, witnessed a singular
spectacle. They state that the water near the shores swarmed with fish of all varieties, seemingly desirous of escaping from the
deep to terra firma. Evidently, the waters were more agitated than their surface indicated; in no other way can this phenomenon
be accounted for.
N-WaS 1524
Washington Standard
Olympia, WA
July 3, pg 2, c. 3., 1869
1869
A severe shock of an earthquake was felt at Astoria, Oregon, last Sunday evening, about 8 o'clock.
N-WPP 2470
(This is part of an 8 page article - see the WPPSS table for entire text RSL 7/1995)
Coombs, H.A., W.G. Milne, O.W. Nuttli, and D.B. Slemmons, "Report of the Review Panel on the December 14, 1872 earthquake",
1976
Appendix D: Selected Supporting Information -- Professor Plummer's Paper on "Recent Volcanic Activity" Read before the Academy of Science - Tacoma Ledger - February 28, 1893
On Sunday,June 27, 1869, at about-8:30 p.m. quite a severe earthquake shock was felt at Seattle. Very little damage was
done although dishes were thrown from pantry shelves and many people were startled by the sharpness of the shock.
Coombs, H.A., W.G. Milne, O.W. Nuttli, and D.B. Slemmons, "Report of the Review
Panel
on the December 14, 1872 earthquake",
December 1976.
Coombs, H.A., W.G. Milne, O.W. Nuttli, and D.B. Slemmons
December 1976. Appendix B: Reports related to the December 14, 1872 earthquake, page 164a
Post Surgeon's Journals, Camp San Juan
San Juan, WT
"Record for the Month of June 1869;" Post Surgeon;
Camp San Juan; San Juan, Washington; National Archives; Washington,
D.C.
RECORD FOR THE MONTH OF JUNE 1869
Twenty-four cases were under treatment during the month.
Twenty returned to duty.
Four remaining under treatment.
The mean temperature of the month was 63.74
Hygrometer 60.48
Amount of rainfall 00.
On 27th at 7:50 a slight shock of earthquake
N-WaS 2600
Information provided by Greg Lange, May 2000; comments in [square brackets] are his
Washington Standard
(Olympia) Sat June 26,
1869 P 2 Col 1
[JUNE 20 & 22?, 1869] A slight shock of an earthquake was felt last
Sunday [June 20] about 4 o'clock P.M., and one quite violent Wednesday
morning [June 23 sic? Tues June 22?] about 5 o'clock. The latter was, we
learn, also felt at Steilacoom and Seattle. It is said that Mount Baker has been
unusually active the past few days if the smoke surrounding its top is an index
of its volcanic nature. Aside from the novelty of the occurrence, and the
consequent comment thereon, no impression appears to be produced upon the
community by this unusual phenomenon.
N-WA 2601
Information provided by Greg Lange, May 2000; comments in [square brackets] are his
The Olympia Transcript
June 26, 1869
(Sat) P 3 Col 1
[JUNE 20 & 22?, 1869] EARTHQUAKE SHOCKS. -A slight shock of an
earthquake was felt on Sunday [June 20] afternoon about four o'clock. On
Monday morning [June 21 sic? Tues June 22?], a few minutes before five, a very
perceptible one occurred, sufficient to startle a few folks out of bed, and half
out of mind; crockery rattled on the shelves, and lamps and other hanging
articles took a swing. It apparently came from the southwest, and was seeking to
get up an excitement. We are satisfied with the experiment, and don't want
any more until after the Fourth.
N-WA 2550
Comments in [square brackets] from Greg Lange; May 2000
The Weekly Pacific Tribune
Olympia
Saturday June 26, 1869 p 3 col 2
[JUNE 20 & 22, 1869] A Veritable Earthquake.
Until the present week we were incredulous concerning earthquakes in Washington Territory, attributing the shocks reported to have been felt in former years to falling trees or other causes. A residence of nearly twelve years on Puget Sound failed to convince us that the reports, which we could trace to but a very few persons, had any foundation in truth. That such things may have happened, though we were present and unconscious of their occurrence, we will no longer question.
On Sunday [June 20] afternoon last a slight shock, perceptible to comparatively few of our people, was felt in Swanton and Olympia. It was reserved for Tuesday [June 22] morning, however, to afford a demonstration which not only convinced the most skeptical, but one which terrified all who are in the least inclined to timidity. A few minutes before five o'clock, on the last named morning, a shock was felt which awaked from the soundest slumbers nearly all who had not yet arisen, and seriously alarmed those who were astir at that hour, many of whom felt an earthquake then for the first time. Some who were sleeping precipitately arose from their beds; others were unnerved to such a degree as to be incapable of moving for some minutes. All were more or less startled. The impressions of the persons who were awake at the time differ so widely that we cannot state with measurable certainty the course of the earthquake. It was feared by many that San Francisco had been visited by a destructive earthquake simultaneously with the shock felt here; but happily this fear proved groundless. Many were frightened, but nobody hurt, and we have no damage to chronicle.
A somewhat remarkable event, which probably has some connection occurred in
the Cowlitz river on Monday [June 21], the day previous. Mr. R. H. Howe, the
telegraph operator at Pumphrey's, sent word over the wires that that
river, which is noted for the peculiar clearness and placidity of its waters,
was disturbed by some cause unknown to the people; the water becoming suddenly
very muddy throughout the entire river, and remaining so for some time. This was
observed by persons living in the vicinity, and excited much wonder and comment.
(The Weekly Pacific Tribune (Olympia) Saturday June 26, 1869 p 3 col 2)
N-WA 2602
Information provided by Greg Lange, May 2000; comments in [square brackets] are his
Territorial Republican
Olympia
Monday June 28, 1869 p 3 col 1
[JUNE 20, 22 & 27, 1869] AN EARTHQUAKE. - Earthquakes are becoming
disagreeably frequent throughout the Pacific coast and the Islands of the seas
and the experience of the past twelve months gives terror to the very name. Not
to be behind others part of the word [sic? world?] we have had an earthquake too
- a genuine quake. A distinct shock was felt here a few minutes before 5
o'clock on Tuesday [June 22] morning last, of a few seconds duration, but
it had the effect of rousing the people somewhat suddenly. There are about as
many opinions prevailing regarding it as there were individuals who experienced
the shock, so that it makes any theory regarding it rather vague and indefinite.
It is generally thought that its oscilation [sic] was from east to west and good
proofs are given in support of that belief. We have no report of damages nor
loss of life to chronicle, but some timid ones were a little unnerved by the
shock. As far as we are informed the jar was felt all over the Territory this
side of the Cascades, but harder here than elsewhere. A slight tremor is
reported to have been felt here on the Sunday previous [June 20]. About five
years ago [ca 1864] a shock was felt on the Sound which roused the sleepers in
some places and brought them out in their night garments to learn the cause of
the disturbance. Earthquakes seem to be traveling northward; but it is all right
we won't take any more in ours.
P.S. - Just as we go to press, 8 o'clock Sunday [June 27]
evening, another shock of several seconds duration was felt, thought to be even
heavier than the one of Tuesday [June 22] morning. This time the [June 27]
oscillation was plainly felt, from north to south. Let her quake.
N-WA 2603
Information provided by Greg Lange, May 2000; comments in [square brackets] are his
The Weekly Intelligencer
Seattle
Monday July 5, 1869 p 3 col 2
[JUNE 27, 1869] A severe shock of an earthquake was felt here about half-past
eight, P.M., on Sunday week [June 27]. With the exception of a few plates being
broken at one or our hotels, no damage was done. At Port Orchard, the shock was
felt about 9 o'clock, and is described as very severe. At all the other
ports on the Sound the shock was felt, but we are pleased to say that it
occasioned no damage to life or property.
N-WA 2604
Information provided by Greg Lange, May 2000; comments in [square brackets] are his
The Weekly Intelligencer
Monday July 5, 1869 P 3 col 3)
[JUNE 27, 1869] British Columbia Items. From British Columbia Papers. Mother
Nature is becoming impatient with our lethargic disposition, and took an
opportunity on Sunday [June 27] evening at 8:05 to shake us up. The peculiar
subterranean disturbance was distinctly perceptible to a number of our citizens,
but particularly so to Messrs. Moore & Co., whose shelves were partially
emptied by the unaccustomed movement, a number of porcelain lamps being tossed
on the floor.
N-WA 2605
Information provided by Greg Lange, May 2000; comments in [square brackets] are his
The Weekly Pacific Tribune
Olympia
July 10, 1869 P 2 Col 3)
[JUNE 1869] THE EARTHQUAKE IN VICTORIA. The recent shocks of earthquake
experienced in Olympia were felt simultaneously in Victoria. So violent was one
of the shocks that goods were shaken from the shelves in the stores; porcelain
vases and chinaware being thrown upon the floors and broken.
University of Washington Dept. of Earth and Space Sciences, Box 351310 Seattle, WA, 98195-1310