The Earthquake

Abstract

SHORTLY after the shock of April 22 (which, by the way, was felt here and in Doughty Street by people in bed at the time) I commenced to collect evidence for the preparation of a detailed report, at first with the object of placing the materials at the disposal of any individual or Society that might be willing to take the matter up, as I felt certain that such a visitation would not be allowed to pass without attracting the attention of scientific men. It afterwards occurred to me that, as the focus of the disturbance was in East Essex, the most appropriate Society to undertake the publication of the report would be the Essex Field Club, within whose province the subject fairly comes. Having secured the assistance of one of our members, Mr. William White, I brought the matter before the meeting of the Club on April 26, and, a week later, took the opportunity of going over the districts most affected, taking notes and measurements of the angles of cracks, twists of chimneys, the positions of stopped clocks, and collecting all other information bearing upon this which is certainly the most serious earthquake that has been recorded in Britain. On this journey I was accompanied by Mr. T. V. Holmes (late of the Geological Survey) and Mr. William Cole (Hon. Sec. of the Club); Dr. Henry Laver and Mr. J. C. Shenstone, of Colchester, giving us the benefit of their local knowledge as guides. Starting from Colchester, we visited Wivenhoe, Rowhedge, East Donyland, Abberton, Peldon, West and East Mersea, Langenhoe, Fingringhoe, and the intermediate hamlets.