Narrative of the surveying voyages of his majesty's ships Adventure and Beagle (vol.2): between the years 1826 and 1836 : describing their examination of the southern shores of South America, and the Beagles's circumnavigation of the globe

1835. INCIDENTS — VALDIVIA. 415 nearly east and west. During the earthquake some water in her bottom ran as fast from one end of the boat to the other as if some one were quickly lifting one end off the ground and letting it down again. It did not wash from side to side at any time. Two forked sticks were stuck in the ground, about three yards apart ; another lay across them for hanging things to dry. These sticks also were nearly east and west of one another and during the shock they waved to and fro till the forks touched, and the cross stick fell. Strong shocks were felt by vessels under sail near Mocha ; and between Mocha and Con- cepcion, the same was experienced by several vessels, not only on the 20th, but during following days. At anchor off Mocha on the 24th, a shock was felt by me, which resembled the sudden drasraing: of the anchor over rocks. Under way on the 2d of March, it was thought that a chain- cable was running out at the hawse. In one vessel they supposed she had run ashore: on board of another, that the ship had passed over a whale. Vogelborg thought that the land had been up- heaved about two feet ; and from his accuracy in other matters, I am inclined to trust to his opinion. At Valdivia the shock began gently, increased gradually during two minutes, was at its strongest about one minute, and then diminished. The motion was undulating and regular, like waves rolling from west to east, but strong ; and it lasted nearly ten minutes. There was no difficulty in standing or walking, but the houses waved and cracked. The stone church tottered, but was not injured ; its roof was very light. AH the dwelling- houses being strongly built of wood, withstood the shock. Most people thought the motion was from south-west to north- east, but Mr. Darwin and a person with him at the time, thought the reverse. The river increased, or rose, at the same time, and rapidly fell again to its former height. In the port the sea swelled suddenly upon the shore to high-water mark, though it was then nearly the time of low-water, and quickly fell again. Both sea and river rose and fell frequently during the remainder of the day. The river never fell below its usual height, neither did the sea retire