It was on the north-eastern shore of Sicily, however, that the greatest
amount of damage was done. The first severe shock, on the 5th of
February, overthrew nearly the whole of the beautiful city of Messina,
with great loss of life. The shore for a considerable distance along the
coast was rent, and the ground along the port, which was before quite
level, became afterwards inclined towards the sea, the depth of the
water having, at the same time, increased in several parts, through the
displacement of portions of the bottom. The quay also subsided about
fourteen inches below the level of the sea, and the houses near it
were much rent. But it was in the city itself that the most terrible
desolation was wrought--a complication of disasters having followed
the shock, more especially a fierce conflagration, whose intensity was
augmented by the large stores of oil kept in the place.
IMMENSE DESTRUCTION
According to official reports made soon after the events, the
destruction caused by the earthquakes of the 5th of February and 28th
of March throughout the two Calabrias was immense. About 320 towns
and villages were entirely reduced to ruins, and about fifty others
seriously damaged. The loss of life was appalling--40,000 having
perished by the earthquakes, and 20,000 more having subsequently died
from privation and exposure, or from epidemic diseases bred by the
stagnant pools and the decaying carcases of men and animals. The greater
number were buried amid the ruins of the houses, while others perished
in the fires that were kindled in most of the towns, particularly in
Oppido, where the flames were fed by great magazines of oil.
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