Page:Awful phenomena of nature -- earthquakes.pdf/8

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were whirled round with incredible swiftness, several large boats were turned keel upwards; and all this without any wind. It was at this time that the new quay, built of rough marble, was entirely swallowed up with all the people on it, who had fled there for safety, and had reason to consider themselves out of danger. At the same time, a great number of boats and small vessels, which were anchored near it, all full of people, (who had retired to them for the same purpose) were all swallowed up, as a whirlpool, and never more appeared.

I did not see this last dreadful incident with my own eyes, as it occurred a quarter of a mile from the spot where I was, but I had the account from several masters ships, who were anchored near the quay and who saw the whole catastrophe. One of them informed me, that during the second shock, he perceived the whole city moving backwards and forwards, like the sea when the wind begins to rise: and the agitation of the earth was so great, even under the river, that it threw up his large anchor from the mooring, which seemed to swim on the surface of the water. That immediately on this extraordinary concussion, the river rose at once near twenty feet, and in a moment subsided; at which instant he saw the quay, with the immense