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Cascadia Historic Earthquake Catalog, 1793-1929
Covering Washington, Oregon and Southern British Columbia
Provided by: The Pacific Northwest Seismic Network
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Individual Event Report
Event #358 - Summary, and parameter estimates with source IDs                                           
This earthquake is listed in all catalogs, and well supported by newspaper articles. It appears that is was felt most strongly in the Puget lowland from Seattle to Belllingham. Townley and Allen cite a report of extreme intensities and flooding on the Olympic Peninsula, but no evidence has been found to support this. The location, magnitude and felt area cited here are from the Ph.D. Thesis of G.C. Rogers.
From the Port Townsend Daily Leader: "Victoria, March 16.--Special--An earthquake shock was felt here slightly at about 8:20 o'clock this evening. A great many were not aware of it, but the majority seem to have noticed a slight shock. There was nothing worth, remarking about.
Port Angeles, March 16.--Special--At 8:20 o'clock this evening an earthquake shock was generally felt throughout this city but it was not heavy. It was noted however, by everyone.
Seattle, March 16.--Special--Two severe vibrations were felt here about 8:19 this evening lasting for several seconds. During the time buildings were shaken and windows and lamps swayed as if they had been taken hold of and shaken. The shock was the strongest felt in this city in many years and caused a great deal of excitement. People rushed from buildings into the streets and in places amounted almost to a panic. It is thought that no damage resulted to property although it is impossible to tell at this time.
Leland, March 16.--Special--A heavy earthquake shock was felt here this evening at twenty minutes past eight o'clock, the vibrations lasting several seconds, and during the time rattled things in a lively manner.
Everett, March 16.--Special--An earthquake shock was felt here tonight at a few minutes past eight o'clock. It was generally noticed.
Snohomish, March 16.--Special--At 8:20 o'clock tonight earthquake shocks were felt in this city. The intensity was not great but the tremors were remarked on by everyone.
Bellingham, March 16.--Special--Nothing in the nature of an earthquake shock was felt here this evening.
North Yakima, March 16.--Special--This city has experienced nothing in the nature of earthquake tremblings tonight.
Portland, March 16.--There has been no earthquake shock noted here today or tonight.
It would seem that Port Townsend to Seattle is the direct track of the shock felt here last evening and that between these places it was perhaps the most severely felt."

From the Oregonian: "Caused Panic at Bellingham. -Bellingham, Wash., March 16.-- A heavy earthquake shock was felt here tonight at 8 o'clock. Pictures were shaken from the wall, dishes broken and clocks stopped. The shock was severe enough to cause many to rush from their houses into the streets."

From the Kitsap County Herald (Poulsbo): "A slight shock of earthquake was felt Wednesday evening about o'clock. Some did not notice it but some claim it was quite hard."

From the Everett Daily Herald: "Covered Sound Country - According to telegraphic reports the earthquake was confined entirely to the Puget Sound country. It was felt as far south as Olympia but did not reach Portland. The vibrations were felt in Victoria and Vancouver but not as distinctly as they were here. Everett and Seattle seem to be at the center of the disturbance, although Tacoma and Olympia were startled. It was not felt east of the mountains, but reports from various points in the Cascades indicate that it was heavier there than on the Sound."

From the Yakima Democrat; "a slight jarring sensation."

Milne says: " In Victoria clocks were stopped, but no serious damage was reported. The tremor was not felt at Nanaimo."
TIME LOCATION MAGNITUDE MAX. INTENSITY FELT AREA
YR MO DAY HR MIN AM/PM Time
Type		 LAT(N) LON(W) DEP
(km)		 MAG Mag
Type		 Felt
Plc.		 Felt
St.		 Inten-
sity		 Int.
Type		 Felt
Area		 Felt
Area
Int.		 Felt
Area
Units
1904  3  16  8  18  P  L  47.80  123.00    5.30  MI      V  MM  50000.00    km2 
N-WA - 6000 GCR - 2330 - GCR - 2330 RAS - 101 GCR - 2330

Underlying Source Material
Source ID Publication Pub Date Pub Details
2339  Aberdeen Herald, Arlington Times, Blaine Journal, Friday Harbour San Juan Islander, and Coupeville Island County Times  1904  Notes of Garry Rogers, PGC, personal communication, 1990 
Transcription: (Synopsis of Newspaper articles for event of March 16, 1904 - Notes of Dr. G.C. Rogers, Pacific Geoscience Centre, Geological survey of Canada, personal communication 1993 - RSL)

From UW Library:

Aberdeen Herald (report from Seattle): Not felt in Portland or Yakima "Quite a severe quake in Puget Sound County". no mention of being felt locally.

Arlington Times: 2 distinct shocks, "buildings swayed", "gentle undulating motion" "bottles in drugstore rattled", some cases of doors being flung open

Blaine Journal: no mention at all in March 18, 1904

Friday Harbor San Juan Islander: no mention locally, only repeated story from Seattle and other papers

Coupeville Island County Times: 2 distinct shocks were felt, jar very noticeable shaking up things generally.
 
Source ID Publication Pub Date Pub Details
937  U. S. Dept. of Commerce, 1973, Earthquake History of the United States, V. 41-1, revised ed., pp. 89-96  1973   
Transcription: 1904 Mar. 16 20:20 Victoria, B.C 48.5 122.8 20,000 V(4) 3-25,56
 
Source ID Publication Pub Date Pub Details
2330  Garry Colin Rogers, Seismotectonics of British Coulmbia, PhD Thesis  1983  PhD Thesis, Dept. of Geophysics and Astronomy, University of British Columbia, pp. 19-27 and p. 228 
Transcription: TABLE Il
Larger Historic Vancouver Island - Puget Sound Earthquakes

Their Felt Area (In square KM -RSL 6/95) and Resulting Magnitude

FELT PREVIOUS(1) FELT AREA (2)
DATE COORDINATES AREA MAGNITUDE MAGNITUDE

1872 DEC 14 48.6 121.4 1010,000 - 7.3
1903 MAR 14 47.7 122.2 26,000* 4.3 4.9
1904 MAR 17 47.8 123.0 50,000* 6.0 5.3
1909 JAN 11 48.7 122.8 150,000 5.6 6.0
1911 SEP 29 48.8 122.7 8,000 4.3 4.1
1913 DEC 25 47.7 122.5 20,000* 4.3 4.7
1915 AUG 18 48.5 121.4 77,000* 5.5 4.6 (This magnitude is a typographic error in Roger's thesis correct magnitude should be 5.6, based on the felt area given here RSL 6/95)
1918 DEC 06 49.5 125.9 650,000 7.0 7.0
1920 JAN 24 48.6 123.0 70,000 5.0 5.5
1923 FEB 12 49.0 122.7 8,000 4.3 4.1
1926 DEC 04 48.5 123.0 30,000 4.3 5.0
1928 FEB 09 49.0 125.3 120,000 3.7 5.8
(List continues through 1965 - RSL 6/1995)

*Felt area from "Earthquake History of the United States" by Coffman and
von Hake (1973).

1)Magnitude in the Canadian Earthquake Data File.

2)Calculated using Toppozada's (1975) relationships

5) Comments on Revisions of Some Key Earthquakes (Figure 6)

a) March 16, 1904
In the Canadian Earthquake Data File the epicentre for this event was located on the west
side of the Olympic Peninsula and it was assigned a magnitude of 6. in "Earthquake History of
the United States" it is given the location of Victoria, B.C. and assigned an intensity value of V.
A study of felt levels from newspaper reports suggests the earthquake has an epicentre along the
west side of Puget Sound, south of Port Townsend and that the magnitude is about 5. The
confirmation that this earthquake was not near the west coast of the Olympic Peninsula is
important as no large earthquakes have yet been located along the coast.

b) January 11, 1909
Felt reports from newspapers limit this epicentre to the San Juan Islands region where
several instances of damage occurred. Felt information also clearly shows that the size of the
isoseismal maps is between that for the 1965 Seattle earthquake and the 1976 Gulf Islands
earthquake (Figure 7). The magnitude is about 6 according to Toppozada's (1975) felt area
relationship. Lack of aftershocks and lack of higher intensities in the epicentral region suggest
this event belongs to the deeper suite of earthquakes. This event is significant because it
points out that large earthquakes in the deeper suite can also occur north of Puget Sound.

c) December 6, 1918
This earthquake has several epicentres in the literature which are shown in Figure 8.
Investigations with the set of P arrival times listed in the ISS place the epicentre on Vancouver
Island near the west coast, south of the present town of Gold River which did not exist in 1918.
Because of the quality of 1918 arrival times this epicentre has an uncertainty of the order of + 50
km. Felt information collected by Dennison (1919) and supplemented by newspaper
investigations suggest the magnitude of 7 (Ms) calculated by Gutenberg and Richter (1949) is
correct.

d) February 9, 1928
Felt information and a 100 mile distance issued from the Victoria seismograph station (VGZ),
presumably from the S-P interval, indicates the earthquake was in the vicinity of Barkely Sound
and had a magnitude of about 5-3/4. This event was in the Canadian Earthquake Data File but
was located in the Strait of Juan de Fuca with a magnitude of 3.7. It is significant that an
earthquake of this size occurred in the Barkely Sound region as there have been no events
above magnitude 4 in that region since 1928.

e) September 17, 1926 and May 7, 1927
Both of these events were assigned epicentres by the ISS at the location previously
calculated for the epicentre of the December 6, 1918 earthquake (Figure 8). Because of the
proximity of the cities of Nanaimo and Victoria and the distribution of population close to the ISS
epicentral region, these earthquakes could not have been located there as they would have been
felt. With the data listed in the ISS and felt reports they were located elsewhere. The 1927
event occurred in the vicinity of Brooks Peninsula on Vancouver Island and the 1926 event
occurred on the mainland north of Vancouver (see Appendix 1).

APPENDIX 1 - Revised parameters fir earthquakes in the Vancouver Island-Puget Sound Region 1900-1950
( P 128. - Included here are 1900-1928; Times apparently GMT -RSL 5/95)
YEAR DATE TIME LAT LONG MAG

1903 Mar. 14 02:15 47.7 122.2 4.9 Location from "EQ Hist. of the US.", mag. from felt area
1904 Mar. 17 04:21 47.8 123.0 5.3 Location from "EQ Hist. of the US.", mag. from felt area
1909 Jan. 11 23:49 48.7 122.8 6.0 Location based on felt reports, mag. from felt area
1911 Sept. 29 02:39 48.8 122.7 4.1 Location from "EQ Hist. of the US.", mag. from felt area
1913 Dec. 25 14:40 47.7 122.5 4.7 Location from "EQ Hist. of the US.", mag. from felt area
1915 Aug. 18 14:05 48.5 121.4 4.6 Location from "EQ Hist. of the US.", mag. from felt area (Note - the magnitude of 4.6 is due to a typographical error in Table 1 of Roger's thesis. The correct magnitude, based on a felt area of 77,000 square km is 5.6 RSL 6/95)
1918 Dec. 06 08:41:05.8 49.62 125.92 7.0 Recalc. from ISS data. Mag. from Gutenberg and Richter (1949) and felt area.
1919 Oct. 10 01:07:16.5 48.63 127.15 5.5 Recalc. from ISS data. Mag. estimated from the number of P arrivals.
1920 Jan. 24 07:10 48.6 123.0 5.5 Location from "EQ Hist. of the US.", mag. from felt area
1923 Feb. 12 18:30 49.0 122.7 4.1 Location from "EQ Hist. of the US.", mag. from felt area
1926 Sept. 17 23:14:40 50.0 123.0 5.5 Recalc. from ISS data. Mag. estimated from the number of P arrivals. This event was previously identified as occurring on Sept. 7 at 22:14:36
1926 Dec. 4 13:55 48.5 123.0 5.0 Location based on felt reports, Magnitude from felt area
1927 May 7 21:56 50.15 127.85 5.5 Gonzales (VGZ) S-P and felt reports are similar to 1978 Brooks Peninsula events, thus this epicentre is used. Magnitude from felt area. This event was previously identified as occurring on May 8 at 14:00.
1928 Feb. 9 11:05 49.0 125.3 5.8 Location on the basis of Gonzales (VGZ) S-P and felt reports. Magnitude from felt area.
 
Source ID Publication Pub Date Pub Details
742  Reid, unpub., Scrapbook and Cardfile, on microfilm at USGS in Menlo Park     
Transcription: Puget Sound region, Victoria, BC PST 8:17 pm 16 March, 1904 GMT 4h 17m 17 March, 1904 VI Direction E-W duration 12 seconds -SB II pg 30; correspondence 3 shocks within 20 seconds. Origin about middle of Puget Sound, WA; felt over an area of about 20,000 sq mi but only reported in Seattle VI; Victoria, BC V; Port Townsend, Everett, Port Angeles & Bother (Bothell ?), WA Very small record on Vic- toria seismograph which however fixes time pretty clearly at 8:17. Rivers west of Olympia Mts said to have been ponded up but this seems doubtful an no further news has been re- ceived regarding them.
 
Source ID Publication Pub Date Pub Details
2084  Port Townsend Daily Leader  1904  Thursday, March 17, 1904 
Transcription: Earthquake Shock Felt on the Sound
Most Severe in District Between Here and Seattle.
Vibrations Heaviest in Years
Was Felt but Slightly in Victoria and not at all in Portland nor North Yakima nor Bellingham--Caused much Excitement.
The people of this city were thrown into a frenzy of excitement last evening at exactly 8:20 o'clock by a severe earthquake shock which lasted several seconds. There seemed to be two distinct shocks with no interval but a decrease of force between them.
The direction of the wave was from west to east and the vibrations were strong enough to rattle windows to an extent that the passerby was given the impression that someone was trying to rip them from the frame. A second thought told him what it was, however, and in a seond more people were rushing in to the street from every available opening.
Some were aware of what was going on, others were enquiring the cause of the disturbance. For instance Henry Rothschild came rushing down from his rooms in the Tibbals building certain that the gasoline engine used to run the Leader typesetting machine had exploded. Henry went back disappointed as he would have liked to have had something of this sort happen.
There was no questioning the fact of a distinct earthquake vibration in this city, although it probably did no damage further than to frighten the timid. It was, however, of such an intensity never felt here in years, if ever before in the memory of the oldest resident.
Immediately after the shock everyone was excited and each one wanted to know if the other had felt the shock. It did not end at this, as the telephone girls were so busy they didn't have time to talk to visitors. Everything was in confusion in that institution and everyone wanted to get someone else at the 'phone at the same moment, and the only thing the "poor girl" could do was to yell "line's busy."

Shock Felt in Other Cities.
The Leader asked a number of cities by wire if the shock was felt with them and received the following specials:

Victoria, March 16.--Special--An earthquake shock was felt here slightly at about 8:20 o'clock this evening. A great many were not aware of it, but the majority seem to have noticed a slight shock. There was nothing worth, remarking about.
Port Angeles, March 16.--Special--At 8:20 o'clock this evening an earthquake shock was generally felt throughout this city but it was not heavy. It was noted however, by everyone.
Seattle, March 16.--Special--Two severe vibrations were felt here about 8:19 this evening lasting for several seconds. During the time buildings were shaken and windows and lamps swayed as if they had been taken hold of and shaken. The shock was the strongest felt in this city in many years and caused a great deal of excitement. People rushed from buildings into the streets and in places amounted almost to a panic. It is thought that no damage resulted to property although it is impossible to tell at this time.
Leland, March 16.--Special--A heavy earthquake shock was felt here this evening at twenty minutes past eight o'clock, the vibrations lasting several seconds, and during the time rattled things in a lively manner.
Everett, March 16.--Special--An earthquake shock was felt here tonight at a few minutes past eight o'clock. It was generally noticed.
Snohomish, March 16.--Special--At 8:20 o'clock tonight earthquake shocks were felt in this city. The intensity was not great but the tremors were remarked on by everyone.
Bellingham, March 16.--Special--Nothing in the nature of an earthquake shock was felt here this evening.
North Yakima, March 16.--Special--This city has experienced nothing in the nature of earthquake tremblings tonight.
Portland, March 16.--There has been no earthquake shock noted here today or tonight.
It would seem that Port Townsend to Seattle is the direct track of the shock felt here last evening and that between these places it was perhaps the most severely felt.
 
Source ID Publication Pub Date Pub Details
655  Reid, unpub., Scrapbook and Cardfile, on microfilm at USGS in Menlo Park     
Transcription: Puget Sound Region & B.C. PST 8:17 pm 16 March, 1904 GMT 4h 17m 17 March, 1904 VI, direction E-W, dura- tion 12 seconds -Newspapers; S.B. II pg 30; correspondence 3 shocks within 20 seconds. See WA card.
 
Source ID Publication Pub Date Pub Details
1118  Townley, S. D. and M. W. Allen, 1939, Descriptive Catalog of Earthquakes of the Pacific Coast of the United States 1769-1928, Chap. III Earthquakes in Washington, 1883-1928, BSSA, V. 29, No. 1, pp. 259-268  1939   
Transcription: [1904 March 16. 8:18 p.m. VIII to X? Western part of Olympic Peninsula? This shock was felt in the region from Seattle to Victoria, B. C., as of about intensity VI. A report dated March 21, from Tacoma, appeared overdrawn, but indicated that possibly a very strong shock had taken place on the western shore of the Olympic Peninsula. It said: "Indians arriving today at Hoquiam on Grays Harbor bring news of strange happenings along the shore of the Pacific Ocean north of Quinault Indian Reserva- tion from earthquake. They declare that last Wednesday night's shocks threw several rivers out of their channels forming several large lakes on the adjacent low- lands. "The beds of the Queets. Quinault, Wishkah, and Hoh Rivers, according to the Indians, were raised twenty to thirty feet, throwing a flood of water into the valleys lying between the Olympic mountain range and the Pacific Ocean." Clocks were stopped in Victoria, B. C. The shock was not felt in Portland, Oregon. In Seattle bottles were thrown from shelves, chairs were moved, and people thrown from their feet. The intensity was at least VI in Seattle.-Reid's Scrapbook, 2, 30. McAdie gives an intensity of III for Seattle. He does not mention any other place.]
 
Source ID Publication Pub Date Pub Details
101  Rasmussen, Norman, 1967, Washington state earthquakes 1840 through 1965, BSSA V. 57, No. 3, pp. 463-476  1967   
Transcription: 101 1904 Mar. 17 04:20 48.5 N, 123.3 W V 1 felt over 20,000 sq. mi.
 
Source ID Publication Pub Date Pub Details
6000  Spokesman Review  1904  March 17, 1904 
Transcription: EARTHQUAKE ON THE COAST

Vibration from east to west severe enough to rattle dishes. Also stops a few clocks. Is felt at Different Points in Western Washington, but not in Oregon.

Seattle, Wash., March 16. - Two earthquake shocks were felt here at 8:18 o'clock tonight, the first of five and the second of 15 seconds' duration. A vibration from east to west severe enough to rattle dishes, move chairs and shake up the higher buildings occurred. In the church of the Immaculate Conception a big congregation was assembled and a small panic was caused by the earthquake. Bottles were shaken from drug store shelves and dishes broken, but no great damage was done.

Felt at Victoria. Victoria, B.C., March 16.- At 8:18 this evening a sharp earthquake shock was felt here. Clocks were stopped and other slight damage was done.

Jerks Everett a Little. Everett, Wash., March 16.- An earthquake shock lasting six seconds was felt here tonight at 8:20 o'clock. It appeared to move from north to south. The shock was a succession of short jerks and made the houses tremble.

Slight Shock at Port Townsend. Port Townsend, Wash., March 16.- A slight earthquake was felt her tonight at 8:20 o'clock.

Not felt at Portland. Portland, Ore., March 16.- The earthquake shock felt at different points in western Washington was not felt here or at any point south of the Columbia river, so far as can be ascertained.

Heavy Shock at Bellingham. Bellingham, Wash., March 16.- A heavy earthquake shock was felt here tonight at 8 o'clock. Picture were shaken from the walls, dishes broken and clocks stopped. The shock was server enough to cause many to rush from their houses into the streets.

Two Shocks at Tacoma. Tacoma, Wash., March 16.- This city was visited by a severe earthquake shock tonight about 8:20 o'clock, reports as to the exact time varying. Two distinct shocks were felt about four or five seconds apart, severely shaking houses in all parts of the city, rattling dishes and causing general alarm among the occupants of the houses.
 
Source ID Publication Pub Date Pub Details
6001  Yakima Democrat  1904  March 19, 1904 
Transcription: Earthquake Shocks.

The Sound papers of Thursday state that two earthquake shocks were distinctly felt throughout the Sound country Wednesday evening about 8:30 o'clock, one following closely after the other, the second being of greater violence than the first. The P.I. says that the second shock was a strong one and that people ran out of their houses in alarm.

S.J. Lowe of this city says that he felt as light jarring sensation as he sat in his room in the Lowe block. It was so slight, however, that he thought but little of it at the time.

The quake was strong enough at Seattle to jar bottles off the shelves in certain drugstores.
 
Source ID Publication Pub Date Pub Details
2071  Leslie M. Scott, Memoranda of the Files of the Oregonian 1850-1910, Oregon Historical Society  1910  Unpublished index to the Oregonian 
Transcription: at Puget Sound, severest ever known, 8:18 p.m., Mar. 16, 1904
 
Source ID Publication Pub Date Pub Details
2087  Astoria Daily Budget  1904  March 18, 1904, p. 2, c. 3. Reference provided by Bruce Berney, Director, Astoria Public Library, in a letter dated 12/6/1990 
Transcription: EARTHQUAKE ON SOUND
Two Severe Shocks Occurred There Last Evening
Seattle, March 18. -- The most severe earthquake shock ever experienced in the Northwest rocked buildings in Seattle last night and drove frightened women and children into the streets.
Patients in the hospitals leaped from their cots in terror. On the upper floors of the taller business blocks book cases swayed to and fro, crashing into the walls with a report that could be heard in adjoining room. Business men working late rushed from their offices along floors that rose and fell with the motion of a vessel at sea in a storm.
The disturbance was felt in other Northwestern towns with practically the same violence. At Tacoma, Everett, Bellingham, Victoria, Port Townsend, Port Angeles, and the smaller towns of the Northwest, buildings were shaken, windows rattled, doors burst open and frightened people impelled to from their homes. The shipping on the Sound felt the disturbance and people on the boats were disturbed.
There were two shocks, the first light, but the second of violent force.
 
Source ID Publication Pub Date Pub Details
1426  Milne, W.G., 1956, Seismic Activity in Canada, west of the 113th meridian 1841-1951: Canada Dominion Obs. Pub., V. 18, No. 7, pp. 119-146  1957   
Transcription: 1904 MARCH 16. 8:21 p.m. phi = 47 degrees N; lambda = 124 degrees W. BSSA. A shock was felt in the region from Seattle to Victoria, and in the Olympic Peninsula west of Puget Sound. In Victoria clocks were stopped, but no serious damage was reported. The tremor was not felt at Nanaimo. BSSA, Col.
 
Source ID Publication Pub Date Pub Details
996  U. S. Dept. of Commerce, 1973, Earthquake History of the United States, V. 41-1, revised ed., pp. 89-96  1973   
Transcription: 1904. March 16. Victoria, B.C. Apparently strongest at Victoria, but widely felt over western Washington.
 
Source ID Publication Pub Date Pub Details
2092  Seattle Post Intelligencer  1904  Sunday March 20, 1904, p. 1, c.1 
Transcription: WHEN THE EARTH TREMBLED IN PIONEER DAYS OF SEATTLE
The trembling of the earth on the evening of the 16th recalls tremors of early days. When Seattle was first settled by the white people the Indians told of a great earthquake that had occurred some fifty years before. They related that the shocks were so severe that the earth opened up in great cracks and that their little mat and slab huts were shaken to the ground and there were great landslides.
The largest slide near Seattle was immediately south of West Point lighthouse. It is about a mile in extent and can be clearly seen
at the present day.
The lower bench of Kinnear park slid at that time from the cliff shore, carrying giant fir trees that still stand on the slide.
The Indians said that the mountains "momoked poh" (shot at each other), and roaring of the tidal waves was frightful.
The writer, when a little child, picked up a beautiful carnelian pebble in a ploughed field, where large brick blocks now stand, and
asked her father what the pebble was and where it came from. An Indian standing near said that the hyha,skokum-amon-ta" (very large mountain, Rainier) had fired it during the great earthquake.
In the fall of 1872 the hardest shock that has been experienced since the settlement of Seattle occurred. It was a clear moonlight night and very still. The shock came about 10 o'clock. The movement was upward, as of an upheaval, followed by waves from north to south of such severity that it was like walking on the deck of a ship in a wind, and it caused nausea and dizziness.
A lady who has lived here ever since Seattle has been inhabited by the white people said " I was ill and was sitting in a rocking
chair at the time of the great earthquake, and it swayed my chair back and forth and when I tried to walk the floor it seemed to rise in waves."
The plaster was cracked in many houses, dishes were broken, lamps tipped over and articles hanging against the wall rattled sharply.
Lake Union was like a sheet of glass just before the disturbance. Just as it was over large rollers, approaching a tidal wave, came in a number of feet above high water mark. There was also a disturbance of a like character on the waters of the bay.
The tall fir trees that stood thick around Lake Union at that time swayed back and forth as if a heavy wind were blowing. Indians living on the lake shore near the writer's home, were terribly alarmed and rushed from their houses, screaming in excitement.
The next day an old Indian named Tesecguia came to the house, saying: "Dabath achieth-tejima culalum Boston hiue mesahche tilacum saukhale tyee hyas solex ticky memaloose nika nika slek lum tum" meaning "We Indians are bad; also, the white people. The Great Spirit is angry, he wants to kill me, my heart is heavy."
The earthquake extended over a large area of the Northwest. On the Columbia River not far from Orondo a large mountain was split in two and half of it fell into the river, damming it up so that the river had to cut a new channel. The break in the mountain is sharp and clear and is one of the sights from the river boats.
The next earthquake of any severity happened during the fall of 1889, coming about 9 o'clock at night. It was so sharp
that it caused people who were on the streets to stagger. It was a Sabbath evening and quite a large congregation was
[unreadable line...] church on Third Avenue, now used as a dance hall. The shock alarmed the worshippers and they arose en masse. One lady fainted and a panic was narrowly averted by the minister and one cool-headed man who stood near the door.
There have been light tremblings since, but not of a serious character. Slight shocks are often felt in the eastern part of the state and are somewhat common on Lake Chelan. One was felt at Bear Creek on this lake on the 5th of this month.
About five years ago a strange upheaval of the waters on Lake Chelan occurred at Twenty-five Mile creek. An eye witness
describing it said: " The water rose just like the roof of a house, some four feet high, causing a respectable sized tidal wave."
Seattle has never experienced the severe shakings up that San Francisco has. A gentleman now living here was there at the time
of the great earthquake in the `60s. When the shake commenced he started from a doorway to the street and just as he stepped out two huge brackets from the roof fell at his feet, just missing his head. Buildings were swung out of line a foot or more and several people were killed by falling arches and brick. People rushed out of hotels, flats and houses without looking to see if their hats were on straight. One lady who was in bed at the time sprang up and tried to dress, but failed to get anything on but a hoopskirt over her nightgown. She was carrying her baby by the heels when she reached the street. "Light" costumes were very much in evidence. People were so terribly frightened that they stayed out on the open hills above the city for hours. Should Seattle build many more skyscrapers may the "shakes" be few and far between.

CHELANA
 
Source ID Publication Pub Date Pub Details
1957  Everett Daily Herald  1904  March 17, 1904; pg 1, col 3; pg 8, col 4 
Transcription: EVERETT SHOCKED BY EARTHQUAKE
SEISMIC DISTURBANCE STARTLED THE CITY EARLY LAST EVENING
TREMOR WAS A HEAVY ONE
Buildings Swayed and People Rushed Out of Doors to See What Was Happening
For the first time in years a very decided earthquake shock was felt in Everett last night at 8:19 o'clock. The vibrations lasted about fifteen seconds, and were noticed in all parts of the city.
The disturbance seemed to run from the southwest to the northeast. There were three distinct vibrations, the last one being most severe. It was accompanied by a distinctively audible rumble similar to that which follows a deep peal of thunder. Buildings swayed perceptibly, window and dishes rattled, and the people ran out of doors to learn what was happening. At the First Methodist church where a large audience had gathered to listen to the lecture of Dr. Winship the shock was not noticed; neither was it observed at the police station a block away. It was felt all along Hewitt avenue, and was especially strong in the north end of the city.
At the Monte Cristo hotel windows were shaken violently and the shock was also felt on the waterfront at the Weyerhaeuser and other mills. At the Labor temple where the trades' council was in session the windows shook so that a delegation went out to see who was throwing stones at them. The shock was especially felt by those in brick buildings, but it was not noticed by people on the streets.
In several homes on Rucker avenue near Hewitt, children who had gone to bed were awakened by the disturbance and with their parents ran from the houses to see what the unknown danger was. The vibrations were severe on North Summit avenue and there people also left their homes to see what was going on.
City Clerk Mitchell, who was at his home on North Broadway reading, when he felt the first vibration at once recognized what it was and pulling out his watch "called time". He says that the first shock occurred at exactly 8:19 and that they lasted from ten to fifteen seconds.
Most of the "new comers" from the East were alarmed by the disturbance and supposed at first that it was the result of some explosion, but residents who have lived on the Pacific coast for any length of time knew what it was.

Covered Sound Country
According to telegraphic reports the earthquake was confined entirely to the Puget Sound country. It was felt as far south as Olympia but did not reach Portland. The vibrations were felt in Victoria and Vancouver but not as distinctly as they were here. Everett and Seattle seem to be at the center of the disturbance, although Tacoma and Olympia were startled. It was not felt east of the mountains, but reports from various points in the Cascades indicate that it was heavier there than on the Sound.
Such shocks are of comparatively frequent occurrence in the Cascades. Three years ago there was one in the vicinity of Darrington that was severe enough to loosen rocks from their beds on White Horse mountain and cause them to roll down into the valleys but it was not felt in Everett.
 
Source ID Publication Pub Date Pub Details
1933  McAdie, Alexander C., 1907, Catalog of Earthquakes on the Pacific Coast: 1897 to 1906, Smithsonian Misc. Collections, Part of Vol. XLIX (No. 1721), Smithsonian Institution, Washington D.C., 64 p.  1907   
Transcription: 1904. March 16; Seattle, Washington; 8:20 p. m., intensity III; duration 15 seconds; vibrations east to west. This shock was felt generally over western Washington.__ Weather Bureau.
 
Source ID Publication Pub Date Pub Details
289  Bradford, Donald C., 1935, Seismic History of the Puget Sound Basin, BSSA, V. 25, No. 2, pp. 138-153  1935   
Transcription: 1904 March 16, 8:20 p.m.; III; Seattle; duration fifteen seconds; direction of east to west; generally felt over western Washington. McAdie reports an intensity of VI at Victoria.
 
Source ID Publication Pub Date Pub Details
904  Reid 2, unpub., Scrapbook and Cardfile, on microfilm at USGS in Menlo Park     
Transcription: Puget Sound Region 8:17p March 16, 1904 VI E-W; Three shocks within twenty seconds. Duration 12 seconds. Felt over an area of 20,000 sq. mi.
 
Source ID Publication Pub Date Pub Details
1954  Tacoma Daily News  1904  March 17, 1904; pg 2, col 5 
Transcription: TACOMA WAS ROCKED BY AN EARTHQUAKE LAST NIGHT
Undulations Felt Over Greater Part of Western Washington
Dishes were Shaken From the Shelves --Small Panic in a Church-- Notes
Another earthquake rocked western Washington last evening. It was felt in Tacoma, Seattle, Everett, Olympia, Bellingham, Victoria, B.C., Auburn, Port Townsend, and Hoquiam and other towns. The shocks occurred at 8:20 o'clock, lasting several seconds, and running, evidently, from north to south. No damage resulted other than to glass and crockery ware shaken from their resting places. In Seattle a panic in a church was narrowly averted. In Everett the people fled from their homes. In other places residents were frightened. This makes the second earthquake experienced in Tacoma this winter. The weather was clear and warm, followed shortly afterward by rain.
An earthquake more violent than any felt here in many years was experienced in Tacoma about 8:20 o'clock last night. Buildings rocked and many houses in different parts of the city were shaken, but no damage is reported further than the smashing of a few pieces of glass and crockery ware.
There appears to have been at least two distinct shocks, though opinions as to the number differ. Weather Observer Cover states that he believes there were three and that the second was the most severe. He gives the duration of the disturbance at about twenty seconds.
The line of vibration seems to have been a north and south one, though there is no unanimity of opinion on this point, some reports from northwestern cities stating the direction to have been east and west. The earthquake was not felt as far east as North Yakima nor at Portland on the south. It seems to have attained its greatest severity in the Puget Sound region, though British Columbia and Grays Harbor towns report it.

Washington Building Trembled
R.G. Hoge was in the fourth floor of the Washington Building at the time of the shocks, and he states that the structure trembled slightly. A number of people were in the California block and they report that two distinct shocks were felt and that the rocking of the building was noticeable.
At the chamber of commerce building R.C. Houston, of the weather bureau, said that the trembling was barely perceptible.

Dishes were Smashed
Reports from the southern part of the city state that in the residences there were dishes shaken from pantry and closet shelves, pictures swung out from the walls, wires of pianos sounded and windows and doors rattled. From Old Town it is reported that the disturbance was distinctly felt and that a number of people were frightened.

Panic in Seattle Church
In Seattle genuine alarm was felt and the earthquake nearly precipitated disastrous panic in the Church of the Immaculate Conception where a large congregation had gathered for Lenten services. Following the first shock the scream of a woman in the gallery brought the crowd to its feet and a stampede toward the doors was made. This was stopped before it became serious.
In some portions of that city the disturbance, which reached there about 8:20 o'clock was so violent as to break open doors, shake bottles from drug store shelves and books from bookcases and displace desks. At some of the hotels and apartment houses women and children ran from their rooms and gathered in frightened groups in the corridors. In the higher buildings in the downtown business district the shocks were most severe. Despite the violence of the earthquake no serious damage was done in Seattle.

Disturbance at Victoria Slight
Reports from Victoria state that the earthquake was less felt there than in any other city in the Northwest. The seismographic record at the meteorological station has not been examined and Observer Reed states that he is not sure that the instument recorded the vibration. He gives the duration of the disturbance as 30 seconds, and says that it commenced at 8:22 o'clock.

Other Northwest Cities
From all over western Washington reports of the earthquake have been received today. In some places it was scarcely noticeable; in others the shock was so severe as to frighten the citizens.

Felt in Snohomish
The earthquake last night was the first Snohomish has known in twelve years. The shocks were severe and many people were frightened.

Severe in Olympia
In Olympia the shock was severe. Buildings trembled and windows rattled, but as far as can now be learned no serious damage resulted. The vibration there ran apparently along an east and west line.

Bellingham Disturbed
At Bellingham the earthquake does not seem to have been severe, though noticeable in all parts of the city. It is said that the duration of the disturbance there exceeded a minute.

Pronounced at Auburn
The people of Auburn were frightened by the shock, which lasted 20 seconds and was the most distinct and pronounced earthquake ever felt there. Buildings in all parts of the city were shaken and many people fled from their homes.

Port Townsend Trembled
The earthquake at Port Townsend was the most severe that has ever been known there. The shocks were two in number and most distinct. Buildings in the business district were shaken with sufficient violence to shift articles on store shelves.

Everett Alarmed
At Everett buildings in all parts of the city were shaken, and people were thoroughly alarmed. Houses were deserted, children lying in beds were aroused and taken from the buildings. Nearly every brick structure in the city was shaken but no damage was done. The first shock occurred at 8:20 o'clock.

Portland not Visited
From Portland word comes that no seismic disturbance was felt there, and that as far as can be ascertained the earthquake did not reach south of the Columbia River.
In the Grays Harbor region the disturbance was noticeable, the earthquake reaching Hoquiam at 8:20 o'clock.

Puyallup Startled
At 23 minutes after 8 o'clock last evening the people of this city were startled by a real earthquake, the vibrations, seemingly, running from east to west and lasting several seconds. In some parts of the city it was felt more than in others and was the most severe shock and lasted longer than has been experienced for a number of years in Puyallup.
 
Source ID Publication Pub Date Pub Details
1955  Hoquiam, Washingtonian  1904  Thursday March 17, 1904; pg 1, col 5 
Transcription: EARTHQUAKE LAST NIGHT
Felt Over Northwest. traveled from East to (sic)
Shock lasted Five seconds. Plainly Felt in This City

Just at 21 minutes past 8 o'clock last night a slight earthquake passed over this city. It traveled from east to west and lasted but a few seconds.
In some residences of this city dishes rattled loudly and nervous people were badly frightened. No damage was done whatever.
A warm rain began falling immediately. No further shock was felt during the night.
The shock was general over Western Washington. Seattle seems to have felt it worse than other points of the state.

NO DAMAGE AT TACOMA
Tacoma, March 17-- A fair sized earhquake visited the city at 8 o'clock last night. It traveled from east to west and shook things up generally, though no great damage was done.

PANIC AT SEATTLE
Seattle, March 17-- An earthquake traveling from east to west struck Seattle at a few minutes past 8 o'clock last night and did some little damage. In one of the small churches where services were being held a small panic was caused. People screamed with fright to get out of the house.

EVERETT FELT IT TOO
Everett, March 17-- An earthquake shook the town last night but no damage was done except to frighten people.

LASTED FIVE SECONDS
Olympia, March 17-- At 8 o'clock last night an earthquake traveling from east to west shook the Capital (sic?) city pretty jively (sic?). Dishes were rattled but no damage done. The disturbance lasted five seconds and resulted in badly scaring nervous people.

UP IN BRITISH COLUMBIA
Victoria, B.C., March 17-- Last night a few minutes past 8 o'clock an earthquake visited this city. It was of short duration and no damage was done.
 
Source ID Publication Pub Date Pub Details
1749  Woodward Clyde Consultants, unpublished  1981  Woodward-Clyde Consultants (1981), Historical Catalog (1841-1980) for the Pacific Northwest Region, unpublished catalog prepared for the Washington Public Power Supply System. Copy provided to UW in 1993. 
Transcription: 190403170420000 48500-123300 V R 5 01
 
Source ID Publication Pub Date Pub Details
1956  San Juan Islander  1904  (Weekly), Saturday March 19, 1904; pg 3, col 5 
Transcription: OLD EARTH QUAKED
Quite a severe Shock in Puget Sound Country
Seattle, March 17-- An earthquake of unusual violence for this section was felt throughout Northwestern Washington about 8:20 o'clock last night. In Seattle the disturbance was the most severe experienced in years, and in the smaller towns of the Northwest the shock was so severe that people fled from their homes to the streets. Two distinct shocks, the second of greater violence than the first, occurred, rocking buildings and causing uneasiness, but doing no damage.
The earthquake was not felt as far south as Portland nor in North Yakima on the East, British Columbia towns, however, report it.
 
Source ID Publication Pub Date Pub Details
1958  Kitsap County Herald, Poulsbo (weekly)  1904  Friday March 18, 1904; V 4, N 12, p 4, c 1 
Transcription: A slight shock of earthquake was felt Wednesday evening about o'clock. Some did not notice it but some claim it was quite hard.
 
Source ID Publication Pub Date Pub Details
1959  Sumner Index (Weekly)  1904  Friday March 18, 1904; V. IV, N. 27, p. 2, c. 6 
Transcription: OLD EARTH QUAKED
Quite a Severe Shock in Puget Sound Country
Seattle, March 17-- An earthquake of unusual violence for this section was felt throughout Northwestern Washington about 8:20 o'clock last night. In Seattle the disturbance was the most severe experienced in years, and in the smaller towns of the Northwest the shock was so severe that people fled from their homes to the streets.
Two distinct shocks, the second of greater violence than the first, occurred, rocking buildings and causing uneasiness, but doing no damage.
The earthquake was not felt as far south as Portland nor in North Yakima on the East. British Columbia towns, however report it.
 
Source ID Publication Pub Date Pub Details
1960  Seattle Post Intelligencer  1904  Thursday March 17, 1904; V. XLV, N. 124, p. 1, c. 1 
Transcription: EARTH SHAKES WITH VIOLENCE
One of the Severest Disturbances Ever Felt in the Northwest
Two distinct Shocks, the Second Greater than the First, Rock Buildings and Cause Alarm
An earthquake of unusual violence was felt throughout Northwestern Washington about 8:20 o'clock last night. In Seattle the disturbance was the most severe experienced in years, and in the smaller towns of the Northwest the shock was so severe that people fled their homes to the streets.
Two distinct shocks, the second of greater violence than the first, occurred, rocking buildings and causing uneasiness to all who were indoors, but doing no damage to property interests. Even the shipping on the Sound felt the shock.
The earthquake was not felt as far south as Portland nor in North Yakima on the east. British Columbia towns, however, report it.

SEATTLE PEOPLE RUSH FROM HOMES INTO STREET
In Seattle the earthquake shook bottles from drug store shelves, rattled windows in the buildings, burst open doors in some portions of the town, drove frightened women and children into the streets and made itself most severely felt in the taller buildings, where bookshelves were moved from the walls and desks displaced. It was one of the most severe shocks ever felt in Seattle, yet did no serious damage.
A big congregation in the Church of the Immaculate Conception was badly frightened by the disturbance. A scream from a woman in the gallery was followed by a stampede toward the doors, which stopped before it became serious. in the other churches holding services last night and at the smaller theaters which were open the audiences were startled, but remained in their seats.

Sick Patients Frightened
At the hospitals frightened patients leaped from their cots and stood screaming with terror in the center of the room. Other patients, less nervous in temperament, noticed the shock and were badly startled, but the nurses quieted them and no serious effect was experienced.
In the large apartment houses and family hotels women and children occupying the rooms on upper floors ran from their floor to the ground, fearing the effect of the earthquake. Frightened groups of boarders stood about the corridors, fearful lest a repetition of the disturbance might come.
The severity of the shock was beyond the comprehension of most Seattle people. Capt. W. H. Ferguson, who is stopping at the Lincoln and has traveled extensively along the equator and has experienced 101 other earthquakes, declared last night the disturbance was the most severe he had ever felt.

Distrust in Small Buildings
Few pedestrians could believe an earthquake had been felt, but in even the smaller buildings the quake was distinct. In Lang's drug store located on First Avenue, in the Colman building, one of the most solid in the city, a bottle was shaken from the shelf and Guy's drug store reported a similar experience.
A cable car standing at Yesler and Occidental was not affected, and passengers on the incoming interurban train, which was south of Georgetown at the time, were incredulous when told of the shocks.

Two Shocks Felt
Two distinct shocks were felt in Seattle. The first, lighter than the second, was of but a few seconds duration, but the second lasted three times as long. Estimates of the time of the shock vary from 8:18 to 8:20, and the same variance is shown in the telegraphic reports from points outside Seattle.
It was in the higher buildings of Seattle that the shock was most severe. On the top floor of the New York building, bookcases swayed to and fro, crashing into the walls of the building with a report that could be heard distinctly in adjoining rooms. Chairs were shaken out of position and the floor seemed to rise and fall with the motion of a vessel tossed by a storm. Judge Osborn, working at a desk in his office, leaped to his feet at the first shock and rushed into the center of the room to escape what appeared to be certain danger from the swaying book shelves.

Lively in the Lincoln
In the Lincoln, on the upper floors, a similar effect was shown. Bookcases were shaken from the walls and chandeliers rocked as though struck with considerable force. Lamps rattled and chairs slipped out of position. The same condition existed in other down-town buildings, the severity of the shock varying with the height from the ground.
Reports from Queen Anne Hill indicate that the most severe effect was felt in that section of the city. Windows in houses rattled and doors swung open. Dishes resting precariously near the edge of shelves crashed to the floor and the floors rocked and swayed. A rocking sensation that tended to produce nausea was experienced.
In the Broadway district a violent shock lasting, it is estimated, ten seconds, was experienced. No serious damage occurred in the district, but frightened residents rushed to the streets.
A big crowd congregated in the streets near Olive and Minor after the first shock was felt. Beds and other furniture were disturbed and the severity of the disturbance caused alarm. On Madrona heights and elsewhere along the lake front the disturbance caused alarm among the people residing in the district. The shock seemed to be more than ten seconds duration and the second was much more violent than the first.
From Fifth and Bell streets came a report last night that a single shock was experienced in the neighborhood, while at Third and Battery two distinct shocks were felt. It is probablt that the slight intermission between the two shocks could not be recognized by many and led to the confusion.

Severe at West Seattle
Telephone messages from West Seattle indicate the severity of the shock in that portion of the city was sufficient to alarm many people. The duration of the disturbance did not exceed that felt in the city, but apparently the effect was more startling.
From the fact that the motion was of a lateral character Dr. Gordon, head of the geological department of the state university, concludes the origin of the disturbance was some distance from Seattle. He explained last night that in the immediate vicinity of the cause of the disturbance a vertical movement of the earth resulted while sections removed from the scene show a lateral motion of the earth.

On the Water Front
Local shipping did not escape the sensation of the earthquake shock. People on vessels of the mosquito fleet in the bay at the time report having felt it. Those on the steamer Rosalie, tied up at the City dock, say the boat shook and trembled violently. Other small craft actually creaked, giving out the sound of breaking timbers. So far as the eye could observe there was no disturbance of the water, which at the time was unusually calm.
All of the larger wharves and warehouses along the water front swayed. Several of the night watchmen ran into the open, thinking the structures were going to collapse.
While vessels in the bay felt the shock, it was not experienced by those further out in the Sound. The steamer Ramona at the time of the shock was about half way on her voyage from Tacoma to this port, but her officers knew nothing of the disturbance until they reached Seattle.

SHOCKS RESTRICTED TO SEATTLE
Severe at Tacoma
Tacoma March 16-- (Special) The severest earthquake felt here in many years occurred at 8:22 tonight. Houses oscillated with the wave-like motion of the earth, and the large office buildings down in the business districts shook noticeably. There is a difference of opinion as to the number of shocks felt. Many declare there were but two distinct shocks with decided quiverings between. Others, among them weather observer Cover, hold there were three. The phenomenon beginning with a hearty shock, as if the earth beneath was given a sudden wrench, followed by vibrations, and after the lapse of several seconds, a lesser shock followed by oscillations from north to south completing the seismic disturbance. Statements as to the length [unreadable line...] seconds. Mr. Cover says it was about 15 seconds in duration. So far as can be learned no damage was done.

Victoria's Gentle Shake
Victoria, B.C., March 16 (Special)-- At 8:22 a slight shock due to earthquake was felt in this city. It was not generally noticed, but several parties report having noted it. It was not felt by E. Baynes Reed of the meteorological station, who was in the office at the time. Members of his family, however at his residence felt a tremor as of the floor shaking and the window blinds also shook. Others noticed similar manifestations in the private houses. Mr. Reed does not know whether the seismograph at the meteorological station has registered the undulatory motion, as he did not examine the sheet. The sheet is usually not taken out until Saturday. It is estimated that the shock lasted about half a minute here. It was distinctly noted by an optician who chanced to be at work at the time.

Beats Oldest Inhabitant
Port Townsend, March 16 (Special) -- Two distinct earthquake shocks were felt here tonight at short intervals, there being only a slight let up between the two. The direction of the wave seemed to be from west to east and started at 8:20 o'clock, lasting a few seconds. No damage has been reported, but the vibration was severe enough to rattle windows in a lively manner and bring people with a rush from their homes and the business houses into the streets. It was the heaviest shock felt here in the memory of the oldest inhabitants.

Jars up Store Stocks
Bothell, March 16, (Special)-- A severe earthquake shock was felt here at 8:20 pm. Buildings rocked, doors were thrown open and articles on shelves in the stores shifted and rattled. It was the most severe ever experienced at this place.

Everett Buildings Vibrate
Everett, March 16 (Special)-- About 8:20 tonight a distinct earthquake shock was felt in Everett. In some parts of the city it was imperceptible, while in others it was so severe that people ran from their homes. The vibration lasted from fifteen to twenty-five seconds, ending with a severe shock. In portions of the city the shock was so heavy as to shake the windows violently. Where the vibrations were most severe houses were deserted, children lying in bed were aroused and taken from buildings. Almost every brick structure in the city was shaken, but no damage was done.

Port Angeles Trembled
Port Angeles, March 16 (Special)-- A most decided earthquake shock was felt here at 8:15 o'clock this evening. The vibrations were three or four in number and pronounced enough to shake buildings to their foundations. In many homes dishes, windows, and doors rattled loudly, while hanging lamps and other suspended articles swayed perceptibly for some seconds afterwards. The shock apparently traveled from north to south and was perhaps twelve seconds in duration.

Flee from Houses
Snohomish, March 16 (Special)-- Snohomish experienced two very severe earthquake shocks tonight. The first came at 8:21, and lasted about two seconds, followed almost immediately by a still harder shock, which lasted longer than the first. The shocks were accompanied by a dull rumbling, and buildings were badly shaken. People in the business portion of the town rushed into the streets, scared and fearing for their lives. The oscillation seemed to pass from southwest to northeast. This is the first earthquake shock to be felt here since the severe one in 1892.

Olympia is Shaken
Olympia, March 16 (Special)-- A severe earthquake shock was experienced in this city at 8:22 o'clock this evening. The seismic disturbance was apparently from east to west.

Frightened at Auburn
Auburn, March 16 (Special)-- Rather severe earthquake shock at 8:30 tonight, lasting twenty seconds, frightened people from homes. The vibrations were north and south. No damage.

Slight shock at Mount Vernon
Mount Vernon, March 16 (Special)-- A slight earthquake shock was felt here about 8:15 this evening. It was general throughout the city, but particularly noticeable in the larger buildings. Many people ran from their homes to the street.

Bellingham Is Disturbed
Bellingham, March 16 (Special)--About 8:20 this evening a very distinct earthquake shock was felt here by many people. It was of short duration, lasting not over a minute, but was sufficiently pronounced to cause houses to tremble, and articles suspended from a clothes line in one house were very noticeably agitated. No damage.

Did Not Reach Portland
Portland, OR, March 16-- The earthquake shock felt at different points in Western Washington was not felt here or at any point south of the Columbia river, so far as can be ascertained.
 
Source ID Publication Pub Date Pub Details
1961  Oregonian  1904  Thursday March 17, 1904; pg 1, col 1 and 2 
Transcription: QUAKE ON SOUND
EARTH TREMORS CAUSE GREAT ALARM.
TWO SHOCKS FELT
SEATTLE BUILDINGS SWAY WITH THE MOTION.
PEOPLE RUSH FROM HOUSES
Furniture Moved and Dishes Smashed by Disturbance.
Panic Started in a Church
Hysterical Woman's Screams Add to Terror of Worshippers--People in Theaters Made to Keep Their Seats Till Fright is Over.
Seattle, Wash., March 16.--(Special)-- The most severe earthquake shock ever experienced in the Northwest rocked buildings in Seattle tonight and drove frightened women and children into the streets.
The [patients in] hospitals leaped from their cots in terror. On the upper floors of the taller business blocks bookcases swayed to and fro, crashing into the walls with a report that could be heard in adjoining rooms. Business men working late rushed from their offices along floors that rose and fell with the motion of a vessel at sea in a storm.
The disturbance was felt in other Northwestern towns with practically the same violence. At Tacoma, Everett, Bellingham, Victoria, Port Townsend, Port Angeles, and the smaller towns of the Northwest, buildings were shaken, windows rattled, doors burst open and frightened people [were] impelled to flee from their homes. The shipping on the Sound felt the disturbance and people on the boats were disturbed.

Second Shock Was Heavier.
There were two shocks, the first light, but the second of violent force. In Seattle they seemed to pass at 8:18 pm from east to west. Tacoma and Snohomish reporting a similar movement of the earth's crust. Further north the shocks passed either from northeast to northwest or from north to south, and on the west side two reports insist that the movement was from west to east. Reports from North Yakima and points in the southwestern part of the state show the earthquake was not felt there.
In Seattle the shock was felt severely in the residence districts. On the hills people deserted their homes when the shock began rattling windows and moving furniture. Except in rare instances the people were easily quieted. In the large apartment houses and family hotels those living on the upper floors ran to the lower corridors to escape the rocking sensation above that produced nausea.

Congregation Greatly Alarmed.
At the Church of Immaculate Conception a woman in the gallery became hysterical and screamed loudly. The congregation stamped, but the crowd was easily quieted. At othere churches the people were not disturbed, and startled theater crowds were prevented from leaving their seats.
The severity of the shock was characterized by Captain W. H. Ferguson, who had traveled extensively on the equator, as the most severe he has ever experienced.

Five Seated Quakes.
Tacoma, March 16.-- This city was visited by a severe earthquake shock tonight about 8:20 o'clock, reports as to the exact time varying. Two distinct shocks were felt, severely shaking houses in all parts of the city, rattling dishes and causing general alarm among the occupants of the houses.

Caused Panic at Bellingham.
Bellingham, Wash., March 16.-- A heavy earthquake shock was felt here tonight at 8 o'clock. Pictures were shaken from the wall, dishes broken and clocks stopped. The shock was severe enough to cause many to rush from their houses into the streets.

Movement From East to West.
Olympia, Wash., March 16.--(Special)-- At 8:20 pm, a slight earthquake shock was experienced in this city at 8:22 o'clock this evening. The seismic
disturbance was apparently from east to west.

Clocks Stopped at Victoria.
Victoria, B.C., March 16.-- At 8:18 this evening a sharp earthquake shock was felt here. Clocks were stopped and other slight damage was done.

Shock Felt at Port Townsend.
Port Townsend, Wash., March 16.--(Special)-- At 8:20 PM, a slight earthquake shock was experienced here.
 
Source ID Publication Pub Date Pub Details
2336  Hand-written weather records    submitted by Ms. Betty J. Pfouts, Research Librarian, Jefferson County Historical Society, Port Townsend, WA 
Transcription: 1904 Mar. 16 8:19 PM Earthquake
1907 July 28 2:20 AM Earthquake quite heavy
1909 Jun. 11 3:48 PM Earthquake very heavy
1925 Feb. 10 2:30 AM Earthquake
1929 April 22 6:18 PM Sl. earthquake
1932 July 17 10: PM Sl. earthquake
1936 July 24 9:25 PM Sl. earthquake
1939 Nov. 12 11:45 PM "Quite a tremor"
1915 Earthquake written in different writing on July misc. phenomena page and no date or time.

[RSL 8/1995 - the date of Jun. 11 1909 appears to be an error. This entry must refer to the earthquake of *Jan* 11, 1909.]
 
Source ID Publication Pub Date Pub Details
7113  Pacific County Historical Society and Museum “Columbia River Chronology Historical Dates”
www.pacificcohistory.org/columbia.htm 		    
Transcription: EARTHQUAKE EVENTS LISTED IN THE FOLLOWING WEB PAGE

Pacific County Historical Society and Museum “Columbia River Chronology Historical Dates”
www.pacificcohistory.org/columbia.htm

Note: Citations are given for each entry but bibliography is not available at this time per discussion with Pacific County Historical Society.

[SW WASHINGTON EARTHQUAKES]
December 2, 1841 earthquake near Ft Vancouver Washington (Wong and Bott p 128)
December 23, 1854 tsunami recorded at Astoria (Lander p 121)
December 24, 1854 tsunami recorded at Astoria (Lander p 121)
April 3, 1868 tsunami recorded at Astoria (Lander p 122)
August 14, 1868 tsunami recorded at Astoria (Lander p 123)
August 23, 1872 teletsunami recorded at Astoria (Lander p 24, 47)
October 12, 1877 earthquake tremors felt in Astoria oscillating from east to west (Daily Astorian October 13, 1877 p 1)
December 12, 1880 2 earthquakes shocks felt (Daily Astorian [Dec?] 14, 1880 p 3; Algermissen and Harding)
April 30, 1882 Severe tremors (Daily Astorian May 2, 1882 p 3) Daily Astorian May 3, 1882 p 3 mentions that earthquake was felt in Westport and Ft Canby about 10:30 pm [on] April 30. Daily Astorian May 4, 1882 tells that 3 shocks vibrated from SW to NE on April 30.
March 27, 1884 earthquake felt in Hoquiam (Workman p 38)
November 30, 1891 slight earthquake on Grays Harbor (Workman p 49)
February 2, 1892 earthquake in Astoria (Bott and Wong p 118)
February 26, 1895 earthquake hits Astoria (Daily Morning Astorian p 4)
August 6, 1899 earthquake hits Astoria (Astoria Daily Budget August 8, 1899 p 4)
November 20, 1899 tidal wave at Shoalwater Bay (Astoria Daily Budget November 20, 1899 p 4)
September 12, 1903 quake hits city (Astoria Daily Budget p 4)
March 16, 1904 Earthquake felt along Washington Coast and in Aberdeen, Hoquiam (Lander p 59, 127 not mentioned in Astoria newspapers)
March 30, 1904 possible tsunami off Washington coast caused flooding (Lander p 19 not mentioned in Astoria newspapers)
January 11, 1909 Grays Harbor Earthquake (Workman p 68)
November 9, 1920 earthquake hits Astoria (Astoria Budget p 1)
November 29, 1920 slight earthquake hits Astoria (Astoria Budget p 1)
 
Source ID Publication Pub Date Pub Details
7108  US Weather Bureau - Washington Section
Weather Bureau, US Department of Agriculture. Washington Section of the Climate and Crop Service of the Weather Bureau (Seattle, Weather Bureau) Issued from June 1897 to January 1906 (Volume 1 #1 to Volume 10 #1) 		 1897-1906   
Transcription: US Weather Bureau - Washington Section
Weather Bureau, US Department of Agriculture. Washington Section of the Climate and Crop Service of the Weather Bureau (Seattle, Weather Bureau) Issued from June 1897 to January 1906 (Volume 1 #1 to Volume 10 #1)
*
December 1897 to January 1906 events taken from above source
*
Dec 15, 16, 17, 20, 1897 “Lakeside -- Charles Johnson, Observer. A severe shock of earthquake was felt at this station on the 15th, followed by light shocks on the 16th, 17th and 20th, all occurring at 6:00 A.M. Vibration from west to east.” (volume 1 #7 December 1897 p 5)
[Dec 15?, 1897] “Waterville -- R.W. Starr, Observer. Shock of earthquake sufficient to rattle the dishes in frame houses, duration from four to six seconds: direction from northwest to southeast.” [Note: Date not given, assume Dec 15th] (volume 1 #7 December 1897 p 5)
Jan 11, 14, 15, 1898 “Slight earthquake shocks were felt at Lakeside on the 11th, 14th and 15th.” (p 4) “Lakeside - Charles Johnson, Observer. A slight shock of earthquake on the 11th, 14th and 15th; vibration from southwest to northeast.” (volume 1 #8 January 1898 p 5)
Feb 2, 1898 “Union City -- M. Eells, Observer. … A slight earthquake shock at Brinnon on the 2d, at about 6:30 P.M.” (volume 1 #9 February 1898 p 5)
Feb 22, 1898 “Ellensburg -- R. Lee Barnes, Observer. Earthquake shock at 5:30 A.M. on the 22d.” (volume 1 #9 February 1898 p 5)
May 4, 1898 “Lakeside -- Charles Johnson, Observer. Slight shock of earthquake on the 4th, vibration from west to east.” (volume 1 #12 May 1898 p 5)
June 3, 1898 “Lakeside -- Charles Johnson, Observer. Light shock of earthquake on the 3d, vibration from west to east.” (volume 2 #1 June 1898 p 8)
Nov 7, 1898 “An earthquake tremor was noticed as occurring on the 7th at 6:30 p.m.; it was reported by Anacortes and Olga observers.” (Not in Ludwin & Qamar 1995) (volume 2 #7 November 1898)
Dec 26, 1898 “On the morning of the 26th and up to 8 a.m. several distinct shocks of earthquake were noted at Ellensburg.” (Not in Ludwin & Qamar 1995) (volume 2 #8 December 1898)
Aug 6, 1899 “Earthquakes - La Center, two light shocks, about 3 p.m. on the 6th, lasting about ten seconds. Olympia, slight shock at 3:05 p.m. of the 6th; vibration from west to east, lasting about five seconds.” (volume 3 #3 August 1899)
Dec 30, 1899 “Remarks of Voluntary Observers. Lakeside - Capt. Chas. Johnson. Two slight shocks of earthquake on the 30th.” (Not in Ludwin & Qamar 1995) (volume 3 #7 December 1899)
Apr 23, 1900 Earthquakes - Olympia, La Center (Not in Ludwin & Qamar 1995) (volume 3 #11 December 1899)
Feb 5, 1902 “Earthquake … Centralia, 5th (slight)” (p 4) (volume 5 #9 February 1902)
Feb 22, 1902 “Earthquake -- Lakeside, 22nd (slight shock)” (volume 5 #9 February 1902 p 4)
Feb 26, 1903 “Earthquake Shocks: Lakeside, 26th, vibration from west to east. Waterville, 26th, vibration from northwest to southeast.” (volume 7 #9 February 1903 p 4)
Mar 13, 1903 Earthquake Shocks - Centralia, Grand Mound, Olympia, Seattle (volume 6 #10 March 1903)
Apr 24, 1903 “Meteor Fell -- La Center 24th.” (volume 6 #11 April 1903 p 4)
Apr 26, 1903 “Sulphur Ashes: Aberdeen, sulphur ashes fell on 26th that were quite strong of sulphur.” (volume 6 #11 April 1903 p 4)
Sept 11, 1903 Earthquake Shocks - La Center at 3:50 p.m., South Bend at 3:30 pm (volume 7 #4 September 1903)
Oct 14, 1903 Meteors - “La Center two fine meteors fell on 14th at 9:30 and 10 pm” (volume 7 #5 October 1903)
Mar 16, 1904 Earthquakes - Coupeville, Grand Mound, La Center, Port Townsend, Seattle, Snohomish, Cle Elum, Waterville (volume 7 #10 March 1904)
Jun 10, 1904 Earthquakes - Lakeside [Chelan County] (Not in Ludwin & Qamar 1995) (volume 8 #1 June 1904)
July 27, 1904 Earthquakes - Lakeside “shock of earthquake on 27th. The vibration was from northwest of southeast.” (Not in Ludwin & Qamar 1995) (volume 8 #2 July 1904)
Nov 15, 1904 Earthquake - Lakeside (Not in Ludwin & Qamar 1995) (volume 8 #6 November 1904)
July 25, 1905 Earthquakes - Rattlesnake Mountains (Not in Ludwin & Qamar 1995) (volume 9 #2 July 1905)
July 28, 1905 Earthquakes - Olga (Not in Ludwin & Qamar 1995) (volume 9 #2 July 1905)
Oct 17, 1905 Earthquake - Lakeside “A series of earthquakes occurred on the 17th; first at 6:00 p.m., second at 11:30 p.m., severe, followed at intervals of 10 to 15 minutes with three other mild shocks. Vibration from southwest to northeast.” (volume 9 #5 October 1905)
Jan 2, 1906 Earthquake - Colville, Conconully, Danville, Loomis, Merritt, Republic, Twisp (volume 10 #1 January 1906)
 


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