August 2, 1837 Earthquake: Virgin Islands, US Territories

This event has an alternate date of July 26, 1837. A hurricane occurred July 26 to August 3, 1837, which caused 141 deaths at St. Thomas and Puerto Rico, and 57 at Martinique. "The H.M.S. Spay ship's log said, 'in the midst of the hurricane, shocks of earthquakes were felt,' and noted St. Thomas, where it 'concentrated all its power, force, and fury.'" (O'Loughlin and Lander, 2003). Mallet (1855) suggested that earthquakes also occurred in Martinique during this hurricane.

The August 2nd and 3rd dates of Poey (1857) and Arana (1968) appear to be an error. There was a great Hurricane on this date but no obvious earthquake (see Mission, 1838). Boscowitz is the only eyewitness report found. It is doubtful that his observation report an earthquake. Events should be noted as nonexistent events in further catalogs (reference #14050)