January 18, 1830 Earthquake: Manila, Philippines

Reference #414:

1830, January 18, 17:15. There was an earthquake at Manila and the surrounding provinces. A resident of the capital was standing at a window before the earthquake. The oscillations were slight at first, then quickly intensified, and the eyewitness, frightened, went downstairs

to the garden, which led to the river; it was very difficult to move. Reaching the river bank, he was obliged to run back, since the water was rapidly surging on shore, rising a metre (several feet). However, the water just as rapidly receded, but surged onto the opposite shore with a

noise like peals of thunder, and then gradually retreated. All this lasted no more than a minute. Returning home, the eyewitness found that pieces of stucco had fallen from the ceiling, and the walls had cracked. At least 22 cracks were counted in the walls of one room alone. However, there was no serious damage in the city and only one person died. The earthquake was stronger in the provinces. Heavy damage was done, and in particular, the church at Mauban (Tayabas Province) was heavily damaged [Most likely, these were seiches in Manila Bay.]

Reference #1187:

1830, January 18, 5:15 p.m., intensity IX. Manila: Manila - an earthquake which 5:15 p.m. was at first slight in motion continued with increasing strength. Water from the river came rushing up several feet but quickly retreated

and broke upon the opposite bank with a noise resembling thunder and then gradually subsided. Horses, dogs, sheep, goats, turkeys and other animals were in terrible panic, the former rearing, plunging, neighing, howling, bleating,

uttering strange sounds and committing strange actions. All

these took place within a space not exceeding a minute. No serious damage was done in the city. Inside the house, the floors were covered with fallen plaster, and the walls

were all rent. One life lost due to the falling of a stone from a house; but in some of the provinces, where the earthquake was felt more severely, there were several lives lost and much damage done. Mauban, Tayabas - the church walls and bell tower were badly fissured and the monastery demo1ished.

Reference #1072:

1830, January 18, Southern Luzon. Destructive in the Provinces of Rizal, Laguna, and Tayabas. In Manila the damage was confined to the cracking of walls and the falling of such as had little power of resistance; but toward Laguna and Tayabas the destruction was greater; the complete destruction of the church and convento of Mauban is expressly mentioned.

Reference #1058:

1830, January 18. Manila and nearest provinces, intensity VIII, provinces to the east, intensity IX. Destructive, several victims.

Reference #1055:

1830, January 18, 9 GMT. Philippines, S. Luzon (Rizal, Taybayas, Laguna, Cavite, Batangas), Manila. Intensity III which corresponds to an earthquake which destroyed towns and devastated districts.