October 22, 1854 Earthquake: Northern, California, United States

1854, October 21, 07:35 p.m. local time [Oct 22, 03:35 UTC]. The Daily Herald (October 22, 1854, p. 2. col. 1) reports, "Earthquake--at 25 minutes before eight o'clock last evening [October 21st] a shock of earthquake was felt in the city, the severest that has occurred since the morning of the 15th of May, 1851. The motion was horizontal and nearly East to West. There were five distinct vibrations occurring something like two and a half or three seconds. The shock was so violent that several in the lower portions of the city left their homes in alarm." The October 24th issue (p. 2, col. 1) continues, "The earthquake-A ship's captain informs us that on Saturday

evening about half past seven o'clock his vessel commenced heaving to and fro, and for a few seconds he thought he would part the hawser. This was doubtlessly caused by the earthquake which was felt at about the same time." The

weekly Alta Californian of October 28 (p. 6, col. 4) confirms the earthquake but makes no mention of effects on the water.

Trask (1864, p. 137, ref #2541) reports for October 26, "A smart shock at San Francisco near midnight. It was felt at Benicia. This shock was followed by a swell in the bay as vessels at the wharf swayed heavily at their hawsers." Earlier he (Trask, 1856, p. 87, ref #1616) reported, "a smart shock at San Francisco, felt also in Benicia. Vessels lying at the wharves worked heavily at their hawsers." Note the later additions of "near midnight" in conflict with the newspaper reports and "swells in the bay." Trask is probably in error on the date of this event and this description is for the event of the 21st.

Holden (1898, ref #2967), quoting Trask and Perrey, gives "1854 October 26; smart shocks at San Francisco and Benicia followed by a sea wave." Benicia is about 25 miles northeast of San Francisco between San Pablo and Suisun Bays.

Latitude and longitude are estimates based on macroseismic data.

(above from reference #237)

1854, October 26, about midnight local time [Oct 26, 08:00 UTC). At San Francisco, there was a strong shock, felt also at Benica. It was accompanied by sea waves. The ships riding off the embankment were shaken vigorously. (reference #415).