The greatest intensity of the shock is
considered to have been during the first half, and it was probably
then, during the period of its greatest sway, that so many chimneys
were broken off at the junction of the roof. The duration of this severe
shock is thought to have been from thirty-five to forty seconds. The
impression produced on many was that it could be subdivided into three
distinct movements, while others were of the opinion that it was
one continuous movement, or succession of waves, with the greatest
intensity, as already stated, during the first half of its duration."
Twenty-seven persons were killed outright, and more than that number
died soon after of their hurts or from exposure; many others were less
seriously injured. Among the buildings, the havoc, though much less
disastrous than has been recorded in some other earthquakes in either
hemisphere, was very great. "There was not a building in the city which
had escaped serious injury. The extent of the damage varied greatly,
ranging from total demolition down to the loss of chimney tops and the
dislodgment of more or less plastering. The number of buildings which
were completely demolished and levelled to the ground was not great; but
there were several hundreds which lost a large portion of their
walls. There were very many also which remained standing, but so badly
shattered that public safety required that they should be pulled down
altogether. There was not, so far as at present is known, a brick or
stone building which was not more or less cracked, and in most of them
the cracks were a permanent disfigurement and a source of danger
and inconvenience.
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