June 3, 1863 Earthquake: Manila, Rizal, Bulacan, Philippines

Reference #414:

1863, June 3, 19:20 [local time]. There was a catastrophic earthquake in Manila and adjacent provinces. It was comparable in force only with the earthquake of 1645. In half a minute, all the churches in the capital except one, the palace of the governor general, the barracks, the hospitals, homes, etc., in all 1,172 structure collapsed, The others were heavily damaged. The earthquake left marked traces in the provinces of Rizal and Bulacan. It was less strong in the provinces of Cavite, Pampanga, Laguna and beyond them. It was not felt in the north, in Pangasinan Province. In all about 400 people died and 2,000 were injured in the country, mainly in the capital.

The extent and force of the earthquake can be judged by the fact that churches, which were the most numerous stone buildings of that time, collapsed or were very heavily damaged at Manila and in the nearest settlements of Pasig, Taguig, Cainta, San Mateo, Bocaue, and also in the cities of Las Pisas, Bacoor, Maragondon, Polo, Santa Maria, Bulacan, Malolos, San Rafael, Angat, San Isidro, Euiginto, Lubao, Cabugao, San Pedro, Tunasan, Tanay, and Pililla (provinces of Cavite, Bulacan, Pampanga, and Laguna).

There was also extensive destruction at the cities of Binondo, Santa Cruz, Lipa, Tondo, San Miguel, Tambobo, and Navotas. In some places, cracks formed in the ground; large avalanches and collapses occurred in the mountains at Angat.

The water in Manila Bay retreated from the capital to Cavite, and then returned, moving in the opposite direction.

Reference #1002 and #1051:

1863, June 3. Manila. 300 deaths.

Reference #1055:

1863, June 3, 11:20 GMT. Philippines, S. Luzon, Manila and neighbouring provinces. Intensity III which corresponds to an earthquake which destroyed towns and devastated districts.

Reference #1058:

1863, June 3. Intensity X. Pampanga and Nueva Ecija. Very destructive 320 killed and many injured.

Reference #1072:

1863, June 3, 19:20. Intensity X. Manila and adjacent provinces. A disastrous earthquake, comparable with that of 1645. Laid in ruins the cathedral and nearly all the other churches, except San Agustin, the palace of the Governor-General, the Audiencia, the barracks, warehouses, etc.; all in all, 46 public buildings in ruins and 25 others badly damaged. Of private houses 570 were destroyed, 531 left tottering. Total, l,l72 buildings in ruins or badly damaged. The number of victims was appalling. It is estimated that in Manila and the surrounding towns alone the number of killed reached 400, that of the injured 2,000. The catastrophe likewise involved many towns in Rizal, Laguna, and Cavite, where it destroyed churches and a great number of houses.