May 30, 1823 Tsunami: Lake Erie, Canada

Exact location is unknown.

Brigham (Reference #1511) states:

"In 1823, May 30, the water rose nine feet in Lake Erie; a slight shock." Brigham references The Transactions of the Literary and Philosophical Society, New York, Vol. 11, p. 1

Reference #13834:

The following occurrence, equally extraordinary, took place on the British side of Lake Erie on or about the 30th May, 1823, which is thus described. "A little after sunset Lake Erie was observed to take a sudden and extraordinary rise, the weather being fine and clear, and the lake calm and smooth. It was principally noticed at the mouths of Otter and Kettle Creeks, which are twenty miles apart. At Otter Creek, it came in, without the least previous intimation, in a swell of nine feet perpendicular height, as was afterwards ascertained, rushed violently up the channel, drove a schooner of 35 tons burthen from her moorings, threw her upon high ground, and rolled over the ordinary beach into the woods, completely inundating all the adjacent flats. This was followed by two others of equal height, which caused the Creek to retrograde a mile and a half, and to overflow its banks, where water was never before seen, by seven or eight feet. The noise occasioned by its rushing with such rapidity along the winding channel, was truly astonishing. It was witnessed by a number of persons.

"At Kettle Creek several men were drawing a fish net in the Lake, when suddenly they saw the water coming upon them in the manner above mentioned ; and, letting go their net, they ran for their lives. ‘The swell overtook them before they could reach the high bank, and swept them forward with great force ; but, being expert swimmers, they escaped unhurt. The man who was in the skiff pulling in the sea line, was drove with it a considerable distance over the flat, and grounded upon a small eminence until the water subsided. There were three successive swells, as at Otter Creek, and the effects up the creek were the same, with this difference, the water only rose seven feet. In both cases, the lake, after the three swells had spent their force, gradually subsided, and in about twenty minutes was at its usual height and tranquillity. It was observed at other places along the shore, but the high steep banks did not admit of the same observation. In all, however, there was a general correspondence as to the height of the rise.

“Conjecture will doubtless be awake as to the cause of this most remarkable phenomenon; but it must only be conjectured, for it was unattended with any circumstance that could remotely hint at a probable cause. But such was the fact, and it must furnish its own comment.”

Some have supposed that the occasional rise of Lake Erie is owing to the strong south winds in Lake Michigan; but this hypothesis cannot account satisfactorily for this appearance.

The late swell of Lake Erie has been followed by shocks of earthquakes, as well at a distance, as in the vicinity. Have we not therefore reason to believe, that the extraordinary agitations which sometimes occur in the Lakes, are connected with earthquakes, and produced by the same causes ?

Reference #1879:

"1823 May 30, Soon after sunset. Some places on the Canadian shore of Lake Erie. An earthquake said to have been felt after the sudden agitation of the lake on this day. The waters of Lake Erie rose suddenly to the height of 9 feet on the Canadian shore, carrying men and boats inland with irresistible force. The water then fell, and rose again twice to the height of 7 feet. In twenty minutes it resumed its original level, and all was still again. The phenomenon was most remarkable at the mouths of the rivers Otter and Kettle. The water of the former was driven back a mile and a half."

Reference #541 lists as validity 1