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Cascadia Historic Earthquake Catalog, 1793-1929
Covering Washington, Oregon and Southern British Columbia
Provided by: The Pacific Northwest Seismic Network
About the Cascadia Historic Earthquake Catalog       One-line catalog format

1793-1849 .... 1850s .... 1860s .... 1870s .... 1880s .... 1890s .... 1900s .... 1910s .... 1920s .... 1930s (not complete) .... Other Cascadia Catalogs

  
Individual Event Report
Event #237 - Summary, and parameter estimates with source IDs                                           
Panes of glass were reported by Holden (1898) to have been broken in the Pysht hotel, but no mention of this was found in the Portland Oregonian or Seattle Post-Intelligencer newspaper reports which suggest that the shaking was most severe near Seattle, though the earthquake was also reported felt in Snohomish, around Bellingham Bay, in Port Townsend, Tacoma, and Olympia., but not in Portland. Milne says that this event was felt only slightly in Victoria. Reports of possible landslide-generated tsunamis - waves or swells were reported in Lake Washington, and in Puget Sound both in Seattle and in Tacoma in "Tsumanis Affecting the West Coast of the United States, 1806-1992". The index for the Spokane Spokesman Review says "Great alarm felt by Coast people when quakes are felt in Sound region SR 8th D 2, 91 6:4', but we could not locate this article on the microfilm. The handwritten report from the Aberdeen weather observer describes this earthquake as "slight", while the report by weather observer Riley Hoskinson on Bainbridge Island tells of a "smart rocking".
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
1891  11  29  3  20  P  L  48.11  123.44        Port Angeles  WA  VII  MM  4000.00    mi2 
N-OR - 6071 WWC - 1698 - - RAS - 73 RAS - 73

Underlying Source Material
Source ID Publication Pub Date Pub Details
1090  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: 1891 November 29. 3:21 p.m. Seattle. At 3:21 o'clock this afternoon two shocks of earth- quake, lasting about five seconds each, were felt here. No damage was done. The direction of the vibrations was southeast to northwest. One building swayed so much that the elevator bumped against the side of the shaft and could not move until the shock was over. Lake Washington, on the east side of town, was lashed ihto a foam, and the water rolled on to the beach two feet above the mark of the highest water and eight feet above the present stage. Reports from Snohomish and Bellingham Bay towns say the shock was felt there.
 
Source ID Publication Pub Date Pub Details
2116  U. S. Weather Bureau Climatological Records, for the State of Washington  1819-1892  National Archives Microfilm Copy T907, Roll Nos. 530-537, 1819-1892 - Aberdeen, Chehalis County - handwritten weather forms. Researched by Gerald Elfendahl, curator, Bainbridge Island Hist. Soc. 
Transcription: From Roll No. 530: Aberdeen, Chehalis County - "November, 1891: slight earthquake shock on the 29th, 3:30 p. m. ..."
 
Source ID Publication Pub Date Pub Details
2109  Spokane Review  1891  Dec. 1, 1891 
Transcription: Earthquakes on the Sound
Tacoma, Nov. 29. -- Distinct shocks of earthquake were felt in this city, Port Townsend and Olympia, about 3 o'clock this afternoon, but no damage was done.
Seattle, Nov. 29. -- At 3:21 o'clock this afternoon two shocks of earthquake, lasting about five seconds each, were felt here.
 
Source ID Publication Pub Date Pub Details
2097  Spokesman Review Index  1938  Complied by WPA, Olympia, 1938, Available on microfilm at U.W. Library (A696) 
Transcription: Great alarm felt by Coast people when quakes are felt in Sound region SR 8th D 2, 91 6:4
 
Source ID Publication Pub Date Pub Details
2149  U. S. Weather Bureau Climatological Records, for the State of Oregon  1891  National Archives Copy T907, Roll Nos. 427-434, 1819-1892 - Madrone, Kitsap County, Washington , Riley Hoskinson-handwritten weather forms 
Transcription: Madrone, Kitsap County, Washington , Riley Hoskinson
November, 1891

Earthquake on the 29th at 3:55 PM did some smart rocking from West to East. No damage hereabouts that I know of.
 
Source ID Publication Pub Date Pub Details
1089  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: 1891 November 29. 3:16 p.m. Tacoma. A slight earthquake was felt all over the city at 3:16 this afternoon. No damage was done. A severe shock but no damage done at Olym- pia, 15h 15m, II.-P. [In Plummer's published report the place is given as Tacoma and Olympia is not mentioned. He does not say the shock was severe, and of course it could not be if the intensity was only II. See Publications of the Astronomical So- ciety of the Pacific, 8, 79.] Point Wilson Lighthouse, November 29, 3 p.m. Admiralty Head Lighthouse, 2:57 p.m. Point No Point Lighthouse, November 29, 3 p.m., clocks stopped.
 
Source ID Publication Pub Date Pub Details
1091  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: 1891 November 29. 3:34 p.m. Pysht [Clallam Co.]. Duration about ten seconds. Panes of glass broken in the hotel, VI?-Observer U.S. Weather Bureau, through U.S. Geological Survey.
 
Source ID Publication Pub Date Pub Details
2049  Leslie M. Scott, Memoranda of the Files of the Oregonian 1850-1910, Oregon Historical Society  1910  Unpublished index to the Oregonian 
Transcription: at Seattle, Snohomish, Bellingham, Port Townsend, Tacoma, Olympia, Nov. 29, 1891
 
Source ID Publication Pub Date Pub Details
2006  Seattle Post Intelligencer  1891  Mon., Nov. 30, p. 1, c. 1-2 
Transcription: THE EARTH QUAKED.
TWO DISTINCT SHOCKS DISTURB SUNDAY REPOSE.
A Panic in the big buildings.
The Tremor Frightens the People Into the Streets-- Many Incidents-- Felt Along the Sound.

Two very distinct shocks of earthquake passed over the city at 3:17 1/2 o'clock yesterday afternoon, lasting altogether about half a minute. There is a wide difference of opinion as to the direction of the oscillations, some saying that they were from south to north, while others are equally positive that they were from east to west and others again from southeast to northwest.
A little after 3:15 o'clock yesterday afternoon a stream of people, hatless, coatless, some in an even worse state of dishabille, rushed down the stairs or to the elevators of every one of the downtown buildings and onto the streets, their faces showing every sign of terror. They all with one consent stood on the sidewalk and stared in breathless apprehension at the walls of the building they had just left so hastily. Then they looked up and down the street, and the group in front of each building were surprised to see a similar group staring up at the walls of the next and the next and so on to the vanishing point. The scared expression faded from each face and was replaced by one which is to be seen on the countenance of a man on whose mind the solution of a deep problem has suddenly dawned, and they all said:
"It was an earthquake."
That was the explanation. Some had been reading, some dozing on beds or couches, some smoking and chatting or arguing, others attending to a little business left over from the previous day, some having "a quiet game," when the walls rocked to and fro, the windows rattled, chandeliers swung with a clatter, and dizziness struck them all as though they were reeling to the floor in a faint. A slight tremor came first and then the walls waved to and fro for several seconds as if tottering to their fall.
Before the second tremor was fairly over, all had started up and made a rush for the open air, possessed with the one thought: "The building is falling." The fear of those on the top stories of high buildings grew as they neared the ground and met others as frightened as themselves. Only when they had reached the street and saw others like themselves staring up at the walls and saw that those walls stood firm as though incapable of motion, did they become calm and talk the matter over among them selves, comparing notes and sensation.
The earthquake disturbed the quiet Sunday afternoon for many but it was a mild affair after all. It just gave the city a gentle rock to knocked a few bits of plaster off the walls, rattled the crockery and glass, and knocked a few articles from insecure places on shelves, but a five dollar bill would probably repair all the damage it has done. Such an earthquake might come along every morning to awaken the people and yet be considered as much a public convenience as sunlight.
The weather seemed to change in accord with the earth's tremblings. After a morning of heavy rain and gusty wind the sky had cleared and the sun was casting a gleam of light over the scene, when with remarkable suddenness the clouds gathered again, and as the panic-stricken crowds rushed into the open air, a drenching downpour began. It seemed as though earth and sky shook together.
There is a radical disagreement among the various accounts as to the direction of the shocks, the time being definitely fixed as 3: 17 1/2 afternoon. Some say that the oscillation was from south to north.
M. J. Carkeek, who was in his office on the sixth floor of the Burke building, says that he felt two shooks from south to north, the first only slight, and the second so severe that it rattled the doors and windows, shook his desk, and caused a perceptible swaying of the walls.
Colonel S. W. Scott, who was on the fifth floor, makes the same statement as to the direction, and says that the chandelier swung to and fro two feet from the perpendicular. In the Seattle and Montana railroad office, on the same floor, the elevator cage swung to and fro and a letter-box was shaken off the window ledge. The elevator cage swung violently from the south to north in its grooves with a rattling sound. All the occupants of the building rushed to the elevator or the stairs and only felt safe when they reached the open air.
By those who witnessed it from the street, the movement of the Bailey building was from south to north, the effect being clearly perceptible in the movement of the glass of the windows opening on Cherry Street. Yet Hancock Neagle, who was in his of office on the third floor, is positive that the motion came from a little south of east, the walls swaying so that he fled along with his fellow-tenants to the street.
In the Occidental building there was a veritable panic, the public reading rooms on the fifth floor being quickly emptied, and a terrified crowd fleeing from the building on all three sides. Here the motion was said to be from south to north.
The shock was as distinctly felt on the top floor of the Seattle National bank building, and here it is said to have been from southwest to northeast.
An amusing incident is related as having happened in the Seattle block. A gentleman who rooms on one of the upper floors heard four men in the adjoining room having a quiet game of draw poker. A little conversation was going on, and they were getting up a big pot, which was the cause of some excitement. At the point the shock came, the walls rocked and all rushed out without coats or hats, leaving the pot on the table, and fled headlong downstairs together with all the other terrified tenants. As they stood on the sidewalk one of the poker party remarked to his companions: "If any of you fellows want my share of that pot you can go after it."
In this building Fletcher Coulter says that the oscillation was from southwest to northeast.
In the Washington building, on Front street, there are two opinions as to the direction of the waves. A. B. Stewart, of the Stewart & Holmes Drug Company, stating that they were from the south to north, while at the Nevada saloon they were said to be from east to west. In the show window of Stewart & Holmes' was a colored glass globe standing on a bracket which swing on a pivot. It was pointing west and was seen to swing around on the pivot five times. In the Nevada there was a general disturbance of glasses and bottles but no breakages were noticed.
Boyd J. Tallman has an office at the top of the Safe Deposit building, and as it is seven stories high he had an exceptionally fine opportunity to experience the effect of the seismic wave. Fortunately he was in his office at the time or he might have missed one of the most interesting incidents of a life time. He was seated in an easy reading chair. When the first tremor struck the building he arose to his feet in astonishment and awaited what was to come next. Immediately afterward his heavy revolving bookcase swayed over, pictures dangled several inches from their places, keeping a plumb-line which marked the deviation of the walls from the perpendicular, plaster cracked and gas fixtures swung. He is more than ever impressed with the susceptibility of his location to seismic disturbances and of its value as an advantageous point for scientific observations.
W. J. Clark's gas fixtures are loose and swung violently; pictures on the north wall fell forward, jerking out the supporting nails. he was writing and the pen slid across the sheet. Mr. Clark Nettleton, who was in the same building, said it was his first experience of an earthquake such as he had read about, and he will return to a study of the fall of Lisbon, the overthrow of a Pompeii and the experience of Charleston with a considerably heightened interest.
E. F. Blaine, who was in the Boston block talking to C. A. Riddle, remarked that he would run down and see what was the matter. He did not wait for his hat or coat.
Dr. A. B. Kibbe was in the Frye building in conversation with Dr. MCCullough, and he confesses that he was taken by surprise and experienced the peculiar fear, followed by a sensation of nausea which usually accompanies and follows those phenomena.
Mr. Emil Meyer, of the Grand hotel, who has lived in latitudes within whose lines t(r)emblors are more frequent, said that notwithstanding his familiarity with the signs he experienced the momentary terror and qualm to which most people are subject.
One of he worst scenes of terror was the Pacific lodging house at South Second and Washington Street. Dr. E. Buchanan said that he and three others were sitting in Dr. Brengle's office on the second floor when they felt a slight tremor, as if some one were pounding on the floor. Then came a perceptible shake of the whole building from south to north. Then the walls swayed to and fro three distinct times. The party, which was discussing some point in surgery, broke up abruptly and all the lodgers in the building fled in haste. One woman tried to jump out of a window, but was prevented by a cooler headed neighbor. A sick man leaped out of bed and hobbled down stairs in his nightshirt
At the Standard theater the afternoon performance was abruptly broken off. Part of the audience fled in one direction and the performers, in their stage costume, wigs and paint, in the other. The audience did not stop to demand their money back, but were glad to get out alive.
The Mug saloon, in the Winehill building, at be corner of South Third and Main streets, was crowded with about fifty drinkers, when the first tremor stopped conversation and provoked wonderment. A second and more violent shock caused all to leave their mugs half empty and flee pell-mell like rats escaping from a flooded cellar. The occupants of the two upper floors also fled with screams of terror, amid which the startled cries of an old blind man could be heard as he groped his way blundering alone and called for help. The shocks caused two cracks to open in the Front wall, one beginning near the roof and stretching in a zig-zag down the wall for a distance of ten feet. The other also began at the roof, but was narrower and only about four feet long.
The Northern Pacific depot was rocked to and fro on its pile foundation, and badly shaken.
The shock was felt very distinctly on the first hill rising from the business district. The Rainier hotel received a slight shaking. Colonel A. N. Hamilton, who lives on Columbia, between Eight and Ninth streets, felt but one shock, and that had the same effect as a team running into the house. Every thing in Providence shook or rattled or swung to and fro, but so slightly that few noticed it. John Simison, at his residence on Eighth street near Columbia, felt eight or ten distinct tremors. They appeared to him to come from the south. The windows rattled, chairs and tables moved and a vase on a mantel toppled and almost fell. Dr. G. A. Rawson, at eleventh and University streets, felt the movement plainly, all the chandeliers shaking. At Otto Ranke's house, on Pike, between Fourth and Fifth streets, the billiard balls rolled to and fro on the table without apparent provocation. L. H. Griffith, who was in Dubb's drugstore at Fifth and Pike streets, felt the motion distinctly from south to north.
James Moran says that he is sure he felt an earlier shock as he lay awake in bed at 1,012 Pike Street about 9 o'clock in the morning.
Further out in the suburbs everybody felt it. D. W. Cross, the undertaker on First street, in North Seattle, says that there were two distinct shocks from east to west, the first being slight with six waves and the second more severe with five waves. At Welch & Erickson's grocery store, in the Walla Walla addition, a number of candles were rolled off a shelf by the vibrations.
At Ballard three shocks were felt from east to west, lasting half a minute in all. The congregation in the Episcopal church was startled by them.
C. P. Stone, at Fremont, says that he noticed the shock very plainly. The women in his house all ran out screaming, the dishes rattled and the chandeliers swung. He only noticed one shock, and that was from east to west.
About the only persons in town who did not notice the shock were street car motormen, gripmen and conductors and the passengers who happened to be riding at the time. A Post Intelligencer reporter was riding up Front street on the electric road and had just reached the top of the hill at Lenora street when the shock came. By the time the car had reached the foot of the hill the sidewalks on both sides of the street was lined with men and women who had rushed down out of the buildings on either side. Their faces were pale and showed fright, and each one at first thought that something had happened to his own particular building. When the car reached the end of its run in Queen Ann town the men on the car first learned that there had been an earthquake from the people living around, who were still afraid to go into their houses.
INCIDENTS AT TACOMA.
Two Distinct Shocks – People Badly Frightened.
Tacoma, Nov. 29. – (Special.) –Two very perceptible shocks of earthquake were felt in this city this afternoon at 3:15 o’clock. The movement was from southeast to northwest., and occurred at intervals of about five seconds. No damage was done. The shock was about similar in movement as the one of about a year ago.
The shock was very perceptible at the Northern Pacific headquarters building and Tacoma hotel, both of which are located on the top of the bluff overlooking the bay. At the former building it was thought that the chandeliers would be shaken from their fastenings. At the Tacoma hotel the water in a glass trembled during both shocks. Several persons who were seated in the new Commercial bank felt the shock, and picking up their hats, left the building hurriedly. Among those who did so was Judge Frank Allyn. Captain Ludlow of the Quickstep, was at work carpentering in his cabin. He felt an unusually heavy swell and went on deck to see what steamer was passing, but there was no steamer in sight. In no instance was any damage done. In West Tacoma the vibrations were distinctly felt for one second, the second shock being of the same duration and following the first at an interval of five seconds.

Felt at Puyallup.
TACOMA, Nov. 29. – (Special.) – T.T. Worthington, of Puyallup, says the shock was the severest he had experienced in eight years. At that place many people ran out of their houses and were for an instant considerably excited. Mr. Worthington has experienced three shocks during the past eight years. It would seem that the shock was felt more perceptibly there than at any other place in the vicinity.

Port Townsend Shaken Up.
PORT TOWNSEND, Nov. 29. – (Special.) – A distinct shock of earthquake was felt here at 3:14 o’clock this afternoon. The shock continued fully twenty seconds. Buildings shook, windows rattled and many persons rushed out of their houses. No damage was done.

Olympia Was Shaken.

Olympia, Nov. 29. – (Special.) – Two earthquake shocks were experienced here at 3:20 o’clock this afternoon, the last one being exceptionally severe. Buildings were rocked and many people were frightened, a number rushing into the streets.
 
Source ID Publication Pub Date Pub Details
1266  Holden, E.S., 1898, A Catalog of Earthquakes on the Pacific Coast 1769-1897, Smithsonian Miscellaneous Collections, 1087  1898   
Transcription: 1891. November 29; Seattle. At 3:21 o'clock this afternoon two shocks of earthquake, lasting about five seconds each, were felt here. No damage was done. The direction of the vibrations was southeast to northwest. One building swayed so much that the elevator bumped against the side of the shaft and could not move until the shock was over. Lake Washington, on the east side of town, was lashed into a foam, and the water rolled on to the beach 2 feet above the mark of the highest water and 8 feet above the present stage. Reports from Snohomish and Bellingham Bay towns say the shock was plainly felt there.
 
Source ID Publication Pub Date Pub Details
1267  Holden, E.S., 1898, A Catalog of Earthquakes on the Pacific Coast 1769-1897, Smithsonian Miscellaneous Collections, 1087  1898   
Transcription: 1891. Pysht, Washington, November 29; 3:34 P.M. Duration about ten seconds. Panes of glass broken in the hotel (VI?). (Observer U.S. Weather Bureau, through U. S. Geological Survey.)
 
Source ID Publication Pub Date Pub Details
1268  Holden, E.S., 1898, A Catalog of Earthquakes on the Pacific Coast 1769-1897, Smithsonian Miscellaneous Collections, 1087  1898   
Transcription: 1891. Port Townsend, November 29. A distinct shock of earthquake was felt here at 3:14 this afternoon. The shock continued fully twenty seconds. Buildings shook, windows rattled, and many persons rushed out of their houses. There was no damage done (VII).
 
Source ID Publication Pub Date Pub Details
1269  Holden, E.S., 1898, A Catalog of Earthquakes on the Pacific Coast 1769-1897, Smithsonian Miscellaneous Collections, 1087  1898   
Transcription: 1891. Tacoma, November 29. A slight earthquake was felt all over the city at 3:16 this afternoon. No damage was done. A severe shock but no damage done at Olympia, 15h. 15m., II.__P.
 
Source ID Publication Pub Date Pub Details
1088  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: 1891 November 29. 3:14 p.m. VII. Port Townsend. A distinct shock of earthquake was felt here at 3:14 this afternoon. The shock continued fully twenty seconds. Buildings shook, windows rattled, and many persons rushed out of their houses. There was no damage done. [Probably this and all the other shocks in the following entries for November 29 were one and the same shock.]
 
Source ID Publication Pub Date Pub Details
254  Bradford, Donald C., 1935, Seismic History of the Puget Sound Basin, BSSA, V. 25, No. 2, pp. 138-153  1935   
Transcription: 1891 November 29; Seattle; at 3:21 o'clock this afternoon two shocks of earthquake, lasting about five seconds each, were felt here. No damage was done. The direction of the vibrations was southeast to northwest. One building swayed so much that the elevator bumped against the side of the shaft and could not move until the shock was over. Lake Washington, on the east side of town, was lashed into a foam and the water rolled on to the beach two feet above the mark of the highest water and eight feet above the present stage. Reports from Snohomish and Bellingham Bay towns say the shock was plainly felt there.
 
Source ID Publication Pub Date Pub Details
7063  Consultant's Report, Greg Lange, 2004  2004   
Transcription: September 26, 1864 EVENTS

September 26, 1864 12:45 to 1:00 AM numerous sources
September 26, 1964 (Victoria) “between 5 and 6” AM (British Colonist September 27, 1964 p 3 col. 1)
October 29, 1864 (Victoria) about 6:55 AM (British Colonist October 31, 1864 p 3 col. 1 and November 3, 1864 p 3 col. 1 and November 7, 1864 p 3 col. 2)


Newspapers examined -
Puget Sound Herald (Steilacoom) - September 9, 1864 to October 24, 1864 (Issued every two weeks - complete) Note: No local news in November 7, 1864 issue
Pacific Tribune (Olympia) - September 10, 1864 to November 19, 1864 (Weekly - Missing October 29 else complete)
Washington Standard (Olympia) - September 10, 1864 to November 12, 1864 (Weekly - complete)
Statesman (Walla Walla) - September 23, 1864 to October 28, 1864 (Weekly - over half of text too light to read else complete)
Oregonian (Portland) - September 26, 1864 to October 10, 1864 (6 days a week - Oct. 1, 1864 missing else complete)
The Daily British Colonist (Victoria) - September 1, 1864 to November 11, 1864 (6 days a week - Missing November 10 else complete)
The British Columbian (New Westminster) - September 3, 1864 to November 23, 1864 (2 times per week - complete)
Statesman (Walla Walla) September 23 to October 28, 1864 (Weekly - most of text too light to read else complete)
*
Seattle Gazette - September, October, November 1864 issues are too dark to read on microfilm reel
____________________________________________________________________________________________

June 20-27, 1869 EVENTS

June 20, 1869 (Olympia) “about” 4 PM (Olympia Transcript June 26, 1869 p 3 col. 1) Other sources state in afternoon or during day.
June 21, 1869 [sic June 22] (Olympia) “a few minutes before” 5 AM (Olympia Transcript June 26, 1869 p 3 col. 1)
June 22, 1869 (Olympia) 4:30 to 5:00 AM. (Weekly Pacific Tribune June 26, 1869 p 3 col. 2) (Territorial Republican June 28, 1869 p 3 col. 1) (Morning Oregonian June 23, 1869 p 2 col 3) (Olympia Transcript June 26, 1869 p 3 col. 1)
June 23, 1869 [sic June 22] (Olympia) “about 5” AM. (Washington Standard June 26, 1869 p 2 col. 1)
June 27, 1869 8:00 to 8:05 PM numerous sources.
June 28, 1869 (Olympia) midnight (Oregonian June 29, 1869 p 2 col. 4)



Newspapers examined -
Daily British Colonist (Victoria) June 19, 1869 to July 6, 1869 (6 days a week - complete)
Daily British Columbian (Victoria) June 19, 1869 to July 3, 1869 (6 days a week - complete)
Washington Standard (Olympia) June 12, 1869 to July 31, 1869 (Weekly - complete)
Weekly Intelligencer (Seattle) June 21, 1869 to August 2, 1869 (Weekly - complete)
Morning Oregonian (Portland) June 21, 1869 to June 24, 1869 and June 28, 1869 to June 30, 1869 (6 days a week - complete)
Weekly Pacific Tribune (Olympia) June 26, 1869 to August 7, 1869 (Weekly - complete)
Port Townsend Weekly Message July 7, 1869 (Weekly - only issue, June issue missing)
Olympia Transcript June 26, 1869 and July 3, 1869 (Weekly)
Western Star (Steilacoom) July 17, 31, 1869 (only two issues)
Territorial Republican (Olympia) June 21, 1869 to July 12, 1869 (Weekly - complete)
_______________________________________________________________

December 7-19, 1880 EVENTS


December 7, 1880 5:55 to about 6:00 PM numerous sources
December 7 to 13, 1880 (Olympia) “six shakes within a week, three of which occured [sic] in the space of five hours last night” (Morning Oregonian December 15, 1880 p 1 col. 5)
December 12, 1880 (Portland) about 8:00 PM “a few minutes before 8 o’clock several lively vibrations were felt … and about an hour later quite a heavy shock was felt…” (Democratic Press December 16, 1880 p 2 col. 2)
December 12, 1880 8:00 PM, 8:30 to 8:47 PM, 9:00 PM numerous sources
December 13, 1880 (Olympia) evening “three [shakes] … occured [sic] in the space of five hours last night” (Morning Oregonian December 15, 1880 p 1 col. 5)
December 13, 1880 (New Tacoma) Evening (Weekly Ledger December 17, 1880)
December 19, 1880 (Vancouver, W.T.) Evening (Vancouver Independent December 23, 1880 p. 5 col. 2)



Newspapers examined -
Puget Sound Weekly Courier (Olympia) November 26, 1880 to January 7, 1881 (weekly - complete)
Democratic Press (Port Townsend) November 25, 1880 to December 30, 1880 (weekly - complete) Note: January 6, 1881 issue of Democratic Press missing
Puget Sound Argus (Port Townsend) November 26, 1880 to January 7, 1881 (weekly - complete)
Weekly Tacoma Ledger November 25, 1880 to February 18, 1881 (weekly - February 11, 1881 missing else complete)
Vancouver Independent (W.T.) December 2, 1880 to December 30, 1880 (weekly - complete)
Yakima Record December 4, 1880 to January 8, 1881 (weekly - January 1, 1881 missing else complete)
Oregonian (Portland) December 7, 1880 to January 4, 1881 (6 times per week - complete)
Washington Standard (Olympia) December 4 [sic 3], 1880 to January 28, 1881 (weekly - complete)
Seattle Weekly Post December 3, 1880 to January 28, 1881 (weekly - missing December 10, 24, 1880 and January 7, 1881 else complete)
Walla Walla Union December 11, 1880 to January 1, 1881 (weekly - complete)
New Northwest (Portland) December 9, 1880 to December 23, 1880 (weekly - complete)
*
Statesman (Walla Walla) UW reel missing
Willamette Farmer December 1880 (issues missing/not published)
Olympia Transcript (issues missing/not published)
Seattle Daily Intelligencer (December 4, 1880 to June 8, 1881 issues missing/not published)
Weekly Intelligencer (Seattle) (issues missing/not published)
Puget Sound Dispatch (Seattle) (issues missing/not published)
Tacoma Herald (issues missing/not published)
Fair Words (Olympia) (issues missing/not published)
________________________________________________________________________

April 30, 1882 EVENT and week following

April 30, 1882 10:40 PM to 11:05 PM numerous accounts
May 1-6, 1882 (Olympia) “Two or three slight shocks have also been felt during the week.” ( (Olympia Transcript May 6, 1882 p. 3 col. 1)
May 10, 1882 “Portland had three distinct shocks of an earthquake last Wednesday.” (Seattle Daily Chronicle May 15, 1882 p. 3 col. 2) NOTE: Check Portland papers to verify




Newspapers examined -
Olympia Transcript - April 22, 1882 to June 3, 1882 (Weekly - complete)
Washington Standard (Olympia) - April 21, 1882 to June 2, 1882 (Weekly - complete)
Seattle Daily Chronicle - April 21, 1882 to May 22, 1882 (6 days a week - complete)
Weekly Ledger (Tacoma) - April 21, 1882; April 28, 1882; June 2, 1882 (Wkly - only available issues)
Puget Sound Weekly Courier (Olympia) - April 21, 1882 to June 2, 1882 (Weekly - complete)
Seattle Post Intelligencer - April 20, 1882 to May 20, 1882 (6 times per week - complete)
*
Seattle Daily Herald (issues missing/not published)
Weekly Herald (Tacoma) (issues missing/not published)
________________________________________________________
March 7, 1891 EVENT

March 7, 1891 7:35 to 7:54 PM numerous sources

Newspapers examined -
Seattle Telegraph February 26, 1891 to April 9, 1891 (weekly - complete)
Tacoma Weekly News March 6, 1891 to March 20, 1891 (weekly - March 6, 1891 missing)
Tacoma Daily News March 9, 1891 to March 19, 1891 (6 times per week - complete)
Tacoma Morning Globe March 8, 1891 to March 13, 1891 (daily? - complete)
Tacoma Daily Ledger March 8, 1891 to March 11, 1891 (daily - complete)
Seattle Post-Intelligencer March 8, 1891 to March 17, 1891 (daily - complete)
Ellensburgh Capital March 5, 1891 to April 2, 1891 (weekly - complete)
Ellensburgh Localizer March 7, 1891 to March 28, 1891 (weekly - complete)
Snohomish Daily Sun March 2, 1891 to March 18, 1891 (6 times per week - complete)
*
Steilacoom News UW microfilm reel missing
Buckley Banner (issues missing/not published)
Tacoma Evening Call (issues missing/not published)
Tacoma Herald (issues missing/not published)
___________________________________________________________
November 24 to 29, 1891 EVENTS

November 24, 1891 (North Bend, Snoqualmie Pass) night (Seattle Telegraph November 28, 1891 p 3 col. 1)
November 29, 1891 (Seattle) “about 9” AM (Seattle Post Intelligencer November 30, 1891 p 8) NOTE: Only one witness
November 29, 1891 3:13 to 3:20, 3:35 PM numerous sources

Newspapers examined -
Sunday Herald (Tacoma) November 22, 1891 to December 6, 1891 (weekly - complete)
Tacoma Daily Ledger November 20, 1891 to November 30, 1891 (daily - complete) Note December 1891 issues missing/not published
Tacoma Daily News November 20, 1891 to December 3, 1891 (6 times per week & Thanksgiving on November 26, 1891 not published - complete)
Tacoma Morning Globe November 20, 1891 to December 4, 1891 (daily - complete)
Tacoma Evening Call November 20, 1891 to December 2, 1891 (6 times per week & Thanksgiving on November 26, 1891 not published - complete)
Seattle Telegraph November 20, 1891 to December 9, 1891 (6 times per week - complete Note: portions of December 5 too dark to read)
Ellensburg Capital November 19, 1891 to December 10, 1891 (weekly - complete)
Everett News December 11, 1891 to December 25, 1891 (weekly - complete) Note December 4, 1891 missing
Anacortes American November 19, 1891 to December 17, 1891 (weekly - complete)
Anacortes American December 5, 7, 11, 1891 (daily - only issues)
Seattle Press Times November 21, 1891 to December 12, 1891 (6 times per week - complete)
Seattle Post-Intelligencer December 20, 1891 to December 8, 1891 (daily - complete)
Anacortes Progress December 11, 1891 (weekly - only issue) Note December 4 & 18, 1891 missing/not published
*
Snohomish Daily Sun (issues missing/not published)
Snohomish Weekly Sun (issues missing/not published)
Port Townsend Leader (issues missing/not published)
Island County Times (issues missing/not published)
Ellensburg Localizer All issues missing/not published during November and December 1891)
______________________________________________________________________________
February 25, 1895 EVENTS

February 14, 1895 (no time) (Silver Creek, Lewis County) (see below)
February 25, 1895 4:30 to 4:50 AM numerous sources
February 25, 1895 (Fulton, east Lewis County) 4:45 AM (initial shock at 4:30 AM “followed by a slight shock fifteen minutes later” (Chehalis Bee March 1, 1895 p 2 col. 3)

ADDITIONAL ENTRIES
Feb 14, 1895 “Silver Creek, Lewis Co.: Slight earthquake shock on the 14th.” (Washington State Weather Service. Monthly Meteorological Report and Summary of the Washington State Weather Service Volume 4 #8 February 1895 p. 1)
Feb 25, 1895 “An earthquake shock was quite generally noticed in Western and Central Washington on the morning of the 25th about 4:30 o’clock.” “Ashford, Pierce co: Quite a severe earthquake occurred here on the twenty fifth at 4:27 A.M.” “Centerville, Klickitat Co: Feb. 25th, at half past four A.M., two earthquake shocks were felt very distinctly, one following immediately after the other. The first was stronger than the second.” (Washington State Weather Service. Monthly Meteorological Report and Summary of the Washington State Weather Service Volume 4 #8 February 1895 p. 1)

Newspapers examined -
Washington Standard (Olympia) February 22, 1895 to March 8, 1895 (weekly - complete)
Chehalis Nuggett February 22, 1895 to March 8, 1895 (weekly - complete)
Chehalis Bee March 1, 1895 to March 22, 1895 (weekly - complete)
People’s Advocate (Chehalis) February 22, 1895 to March 8, 1895 (weekly - complete)
Oregonian (Portland) February 18, 1895 to March 1, 1895 (daily - complete)
Seattle Post-Intelligencer February 26, 1895 to February 28, 1895 (daily - complete)
Sumner Herald (Pierce County) February 22, 1895 to March 22, 1895 (weekly - missing March 8, 22, 1895 else complete)
White River Journal (Kent) February 23, 1895 to March 9, 1895 (weekly - compete)
Aberdeen Herald February 21, 1895 to March 7, 1895 (weekly - complete)
Tacoma Herald February 16, 1895 to March 9, 1895 (weekly - complete)
Seattle Press Times February 25, 1895 to February 27, 1895 (daily - February 26, 1895 missing/not published else complete)
Palladium (Olympia) February 20, 1895 to March 20, 1895 (weekly - complete)
Snohomish County Tribune (Snohomish) March 1, 1895 to March 29, 1895 (weekly - complete)
*
Washingtonian (Hoquiam) UW microfilm reel missing
________________________________________________________________
March 13 to 16, 1903 EVENTS


March 13, 1903 6:21-6:40 PM numerous sources
March 16, 1903 (Tacoma) evening (Tacoma Semi Weekly News March 17, 1903 p 4 col 2) NOTE: Need to confirm by looking at other Tacoma newspapers.

ADDITIONAL ENTRY
Mar 13, 1903 Earthquake Shocks - Centralia, Grand Mound, Olympia, Seattle (Weather Bureau, US Department of Agriculture. Washington Section of the Climate and Crop Service of the Weather Bureau (Seattle, Weather Bureau) volume 6 #10 March 1903)


Newspapers examined -
Snohomish County Tribune (Snohomish) March 6, 1903 to March 27, 1903 (weekly - complete)
Washington Standard (Olympia) March 13, 1903 to April 17, 1903 (weekly - complete)
Seattle Post-Intelligencer March 14, 1903 to March 17, 1903 (daily - complete)
Port Orchard Independent March 7, 1903 to March 21, 1903 (weekly - complete)
White River Journal (Kent) March 7, 1903 to March 21, 1903 (weekly - complete)
Kitsap County Herald (Poulsbo) March 13, 1903 to March 20, 1903 (weekly - complete)
Tacoma Semi Weekly News March 13, 1903 to March 24, 1903 (2 times per week - complete)
Willapa Harbor Pilot (South Bend) March 20, 1903 to March 27, 1903 (weekly - complete)
*
Everett Herald UW microfilm copy very dark, unable to read
Index Miner (issues missing/not published)
Issaquah Independent (issues missing/not published)
Daily News Searchlight (Bremerton) (issues missing/not published)
Chehalis Bee Nugget (issues missing/not published)
Peoples Advocate (Chehalis) (issues missing/not published)
Olympia Chronicle (issues missing/not published)
Weekly Capital (Olympia) (issues missing/not published)
Spectator (Tacoma) (issues missing/not published)
Tacoma Times (issues missing/not published)
Union Record (Tacoma) (issues missing/not published)
Tacoma Daily News (issues missing/not published)
____________________________________________________________

September 5 to 11, 1903 EVENTS


September 5, 1903 (Castle Rock) “morning” (Tacoma Daily News September 12, 1903 p 2 col. 4) (Seattle Post-Intelligencer p. 1 col. 4)
September 11, 1903 3:30 to 3:50, 4:20 PM numerous sources

ADDITIONAL ENTRY
Sept 11, 1903 Earthquake Shocks - La Center at 3:50 p.m., South Bend at 3:30 pm (Weather Bureau, US Department of Agriculture. Washington Section of the Climate and Crop Service of the Weather Bureau (Seattle, Weather Bureau) volume 7 #4 September 1903)



Newspapers examined -
Skamania County Pioneer (Stevenson) September 3, 1903 to September 24, 1903 (weekly - complete)
Oregonian (Portland) September 12, 1903 to September 14, 1903 (daily - complete)
Willapa Harbor Pilot (South Bend) September 11, 1903 to September 25, 1903 (weekly - complete)
Kitsap County Herald (Poulsbo) September 11, 1903 to September 25, 1893 (weekly - complete)
Seattle Times September 12, 1903 only
Kitsap County Review (Bremerton) November 14 & 21, 1903 (weekly)
White River Journal (Kent) September 5, 1903 to September 19, 1903 (weekly - complete)
Tacoma Semi Weekly News September 8, 1903 to September 18, 1903 (twice a week - complete)
Port Orchard Independent September 12, 1903 to September 19, 1903 (weekly)
Tacoma Daily News September 11, 1903 to September 14, 1903 (6 times per week - complete)
Washington Standard (Olympia) September 11, 1903 to September 18, 1903 (weekly)
Seattle Post-Intelligencer September 12, 1903 to September 15, 1903 (daily - complete)
Buckley Banner September 11, 1903 to September 25, 1903 (weekly - Sept 18 missing else complete)
Aberdeen Herald September 14, 1903 to September 21, 1903 (2 times per week - complete)
*
Weekly Chronicle (Olympia) (issues missing/not published)
Weekly Capital (Olympia) (issues missing/not published)
Tacoma Times (issues missing/not published)
Sumner Index (issues missing/not published)
Sumner Herald (issues missing/not published)
Olympia Chronicle (issues missing/not published)
Issaquah Independent (issues missing/not published)
Chehalis Bee Nugget (issues missing/not published)
Daily Spectator (Tacoma) (issues missing/not published)
People’s Advocate (Chehalis) (issues missing/not published)
_________________________________________________________________

January 11 to February 8, 1909 EVENTS


January 11, 1909 3:30 to 4:30 PM Numerous sources
January 11, 1909 (Lopez) First tremor 4:30 PM Second tremor 20 minutes later (4:50 PM) (Friday Harbor Journal Jan 14, 1909 p 8 col. 4)
January 11, 1909 (Olga) First tremor 3:40 PM. Second tremor 40 minutes later (4:30 PM) (San Juan Islander January 16, 1909 p 8 col. 2)
January 11, 1909 (Friday Harbor) 10 PM (San Juan Islander January 16, 1909 p 1 col. 6)
January 11-12, 1909 (evening) (East Sound) “During the night there was a succession of light shocks …” (San Juan Islander January 16, 1909 p 8 col. 1)
January 12, 1909 (Friday Harbor) 12 midnight (San Juan Islander January 16, 1909 p 1 col. 6)
January 14, 1909 (Lopez) night “distant tremor … felt Thursday night” (Jan 14) “Several [tremors] have been reported since Monday.” (Friday Harbor Journal Jan 21, 1909 p 8 col. 6)
January 16, 1909 (East Sound) 7:25 PM (Friday Harbor Journal Jan 21, 1909 p 8 col. 4)
January 29, 1909 (West Sound) 3 AM (Friday Harbor Journal Feb 4, 1909 p 8 col. 3) (Lopez) 3:30 AM (Friday Harbor Journal February 4, 1909 p 8 col. 5)
February 4, 1909 (Lopez) 1:40 AM (Friday Harbor Journal February 11, 1909 p 8 col. 5)
February 8, 1909 (West Sound) Monday (Feb 8) night (Friday Harbor Journal February 11, 1909 p 8 col. 4)


ADDITIONAL ENTRIES
Jan 11, 1909 Earthquakes - Anacortes, Baker, Bellingham, Blaine, Coupeville, East Sound, Granite Falls, Olga, Olympia, Port Townsend, Vashon Island (Weather Bureau, US Department of Agriculture. Washington Section of the Climatological Service of the Weather Bureau (Portland Oregon, Weather Bureau) volume 13 #1 January 1909)
Jan 21, 1909 Earthquakes - Lakeside, Rex Creek [Chelan County] (Weather Bureau, US Department of Agriculture. Washington Section of the Climatological Service of the Weather Bureau (Portland Oregon, Weather Bureau) volume 13 #1 January 1909)

Newspapers examined -
San Juan Islander (Friday Harbor) January 7, 1909 to February 12, 1909 (weekly - Jan 30, 1909 missing else complete)
Friday Harbor Journal January 7, 1909 to March 4, 1909 (weekly - complete)
Anacortes American January 7, 1909 to February 11, 1909 (weekly - complete)
American Reville (Bellingham) January 10, 1909 to January 30, 1909 (6 times per week - complete)
Everett Herald January 11, 1909 to January 18, 1909 (6 times per week - complete)
Arlington Times January 16, 1909 to February 13, 1909 (weekly - complete)
*
Island County Times (Coupeville) (issues missing/not published)
Blaine Journal (January 1909 issues missing/not published)
_________________________________________________________

July 29, 1913 EVENT


July 29, 1913 (Mt Rainier) 8:15 AM (Tacoma Daily News July 29, 1913 p 1 col 1; July 30, 1913 p 2 col 4) (Tacoma Tribune July 30, 1913 p 1 col. 1) (Buckley Banner Aug 1, 1913 p 3 col 2)

Newspapers examined -
Puyallup Herald August 1, 1913 to August 15, 1913 (Weekly - complete)
Buckley Banner July 25, 1913 to August 15, 1913 (Weekly - complete)
Sumner Index July 25, 1913 to August 8, 1913 (Weekly - complete)
Washington Standard (Olympia) August 1 & 8, 1913 (Weekly)
Tacoma Daily News July 29, 30, 1913 (Daily)
Tacoma Tribune July 29, 1913 & July 30, 1913 (page 1 only)
*
Lewis County Clarion (Centralia) (July-August 1913 issues missing/not published)
Tacoma Times (July-August 1913 issues missing/not published)
Tacoma Daily Ledger (July-August 1913 issues missing/not published)
Olympia Chronicle (July-August 1913 issues missing/not published)
Washington Saturday Review (July-August 1913 issues missing/not published)
Morton Mirror (issues missing/not published)
________________________________________________________
November 21, 1916 EVENT


November 21, 1916 (Everett, Anacortes) 11:30 AM numerous sources



Newspapers examined -
Arlington Times November 16, 1916 to November 30, 1916 (weekly - November 16, 1916 missing)
Concrete Herald November 18, 1916 to December 6, 1916 (weekly - complete)
Everett Herald November 21, 22, 1916 (daily)
Oak Harbor News November 24, 1916 to December 1, 1916 (weekly)
Anacortes American November 16, 1916 to December 7, 1916 (weekly - complete)
Friday Harbor Journal November 23, 30, 1916 (weekly)
*
Skagit News (Mount Vernon) (issues missing/not published)
Mount Vernon Herald (issues missing/not published)
Mount Vernon Argus (issues missing/not published)
Skagit County Times (issues missing/not published)
Guemes Beachcomber (issues missing/not published)
___________________________________________________
January 23 to 24, 1920 EVENTS


January 23, 1920 (Victoria, BC) 9:00 PM Recorded on Victoria seismograph (unknown if felt by residents) (Anacortes American January 29, 1920 p 1 col. 5-6)
January 23, 1920 11:00 to 11:12 PM numerous sources
January 24, 1920 (Victoria, BC) 2:00 AM Recorded on Victoria seismograph (unknown if felt by residents) (Anacortes American January 29, 1920 p 1 col. 5-6)



Newspapers examined -
Friday Harbor Journal January 29 & February 5, 1920. Also March 1920 weather summary in March 4, 1920 issue (weekly)
Anacortes American January 22, 1920 to February 12, 1920 (weekly - complete) February 19, 1920 page one only (rest of issue missing)
Port Townsend Weekly Leader January 29, 1920 to February 19, 1920 (weekly - complete)
Oak Harbor News January 16, 1920 (weekly - last issue)
Island County Farm Bureau News (Oak Harbor) January 23, 1920 to February 13, 1920 (weekly - complete)
*
Port Angeles Daily Herald (issues missing/not published)
Mount Vernon Daily Herald (issues missing/not published)
Bellingham American (issues missing/not published)
Stanwood News (issues missing/not published)
_________________________________________________________-
December 4, 1926 EVENT

December 4, 1926 5:55 to 5:57 AM numerous sources



Newspapers examined -
Friday Harbor Journal December 2, 1926 to December 30, 1926 (weekly - complete)
Anacortes American December 9, 1926 to December 23, 1926 (weekly - complete)
Port Townsend Leader December 3, 1926 to December 17, 1926 (weekly - complete)
Bellingham American December 4, 1926 only issue examined
*
Anacortes Daily Mercury (issues missing/not published)
Olympic Tribune (Port Angeles) (issues missing/not published)
____________________________________________________________
 
Source ID Publication Pub Date Pub Details
73  Rasmussen, Norman, 1967, Washington state earthquakes 1840 through 1965, BSSA V. 57, No. 3, pp. 463-476  1967   
Transcription: 73 1891 Nov. 29 23:21 Port Angeles V-VII 1,4 felt over 4,000 sq. mi.
 
Source ID Publication Pub Date Pub Details
7036  Seattle Post Intelligencer  1891  Dec. 3, 1891, Thurs., p. 2, c. 4 
Transcription: THE WEATHER IN NOVEMBER. Monthly Report of the Observer at Madrone, Kitsap County. Miscellaneous phenomena, earthquake on the 29th at 3:35 p.m. .... had an earthquake on the 29th at 3:35 p. m., which gave us quite a rocking from west to east: no damage hereabouts, so far as I can learn. R.M. HOSKINSON, Voluntary Observer.
 
Source ID Publication Pub Date Pub Details
7035  Seattle Post-Intelligencer  1891  Dec. 1, 1891, p. 3, c. 1 
Transcription: AFTER THE EARTHQUAKE
People Still Telling How They Were Shaken Up.
People are still talking about the earthquake of Sunday. Rev. D.C. Garrett, who went to Tacoma in the afternoon to hold a service in St. Luke’s church, said yesterday: "The Flyer had just pulled out from the wharf here, when I looked at my watch to see how much late we were in starting. The hands showed 3:17, an at that minute the ship careened so far to one side that I feared for a moment that she was going to upset. I said to myself, 'This new boat can’t be a very good craft if she does that sort of thing'. But I’ve since learned that an earthquake caused the trouble."
R. I. Thorne was eating dinner at his home in Renton when the shock rattled the stove.
A pile of books in the office of J.M. Carson, in the Butler block, were thrown form the desk to the floor and in the office of Paul d’Heirry, in the same block, some minerals and ores that were lying on some books were tossed to the floor.
In the office of Superintendent Neff, of the Seattle & Montana railway, an electric lamp swung until it touched the wall two feet away.
When the earthquake made itself felt, Mr. Fred Gasch was writing in the county commissioner’s office at the new courthouse. The oscillations were very faint: just enough to be noticeable but hardly sufficient to cause alarm. The fact would seem to indicate that the shock was most severe nearest the water, for all along the water front the tremor of the earth was so marked that every one was badly frightened.
"Little shocks like the one we had yesterday." said Mr. Gasch last evening, "would never disturb an old Californian like me. In San Francisco and southern California shocks of earthquake are very frequent and at times severe. It is so common a visitation that the papers and the people play but passing attention to it. I distinctly remember in the spring of 1868 when I was living in San Francisco. The papers came out with illustrations and long articles concerning the devastating tidal wave which visited Peru. The Wateree, an American vessel which I have seen many times, was cruising off the coast of Peru when a tidal wave, caused by the earthquake, rolled up and carried the vessel in shore a mile and a half and left her high and dry in the timber. Out of a complement of about 250 men only one seaman was hurt, and he was not killed. The warship is still up there in the woods, for all I have heard to the contrary. An English steamship, which was steaming in to make port near where the unfortunate Wateree was destroyed, narrowly escaped a similar fate. The captain saw the tidal wave approaching and immediately gave the signal to back the engines at full speed. The vessel was carried almost to the shore, but the returning waters swept her back to the bosom of the ocean and she was saved.
"It was less than six weeks after the news of this remarkable incident had been published when San Francisco was visited by a fatal earthquake, which continued at frequent intervals for twelve days. The minds of the people were full of the Peruvian precedent and they were fearful lest a tidal wave should rise up and sweep out of existence the city. Several buildings were demolished during the frequent tremors of the earth, and twelve persons all told were killed."

The Earthquake at Port Angeles
PORT ANGELES, Nov. 30, -- (Special.) – A distinct shock of earthquake was felt here yesterday about 3:30. It lasted about fifteen seconds. It was felt down the straits more severely than at this place.
 
Source ID Publication Pub Date Pub Details
7034  The Seattle Press-Times  1891  Nov. 30, 1891, Mon., p.5, c. 2 and p. 4, c.1 
Transcription: THE EARTH TREMBLED
Two Distinct Shocks Disturb the Peace of the Sabbath in Seattle.
Shortly after 3 o’clock yesterday afternoon two distinct earthquake shocks upset the equanimity of Seattle and its inhabitants for the period of a few seconds which appeared as many hours to the more frightened part of the community. The shocks, although not serious enough to create any damage, were yet sufficiently violent to sway chandeliers, rattle doors, windows and crockeryware, and in a few instances break off plaster already partly off its foundation. The direction of the movement could not be ascertained accurately, the prevailing opinion being that it was from south to north. The same shock was felt at Tacoma, at Puyallup, at Port Townsend and at Olympia, all giving about the same time, between 3:14 and 3:20.

[p. 4, c. 1] The little earthquake of yesterday afternoon was sent along just to show Seattle by way of contrast how much more fortunate this city is than some other places.
 
Source ID Publication Pub Date Pub Details
7033  Tacoma Morning Globe  1891  Nov. 30, 1891, Mon., p. 4, c. 4-5 
Transcription: TACOMA ROUGHLY SHAKEN UP
Two shocks of Earthquake Frighten Residents and Play Havoc All Over the CIty
Great Buildings Quiver and Sleepers Waked – The Sound and All Washington Affected.
Tacoma was roughly shaken by two shocks of earthquake yesterday afternoon and, according tot he telegraphic reports, all Washington shook. The shocks were very severe and caused considerable fright and consternation in some sections. Big, strong buildings shook to a startling degree, and there was a general rattle of windows all over the city. Doors that stood open were banged shut, and in many cases people rushed from their houses after the shocks to find out the cause, some thinking that there had been a great explosion near-by.
The first shock was felt at exactly 3:15 o’clock. It appeared to be from southeast to northwest. For about two seconds the quake continued, when there was an interval of about two seconds, then another shock that lasted the same length of time. In the business section of the city, among the all buildings, the shocks were distinctly felt. A number of men who have offices in the new Bank of Commerce building, besides other persons, grabbed their hats and rushed out of that building when the earthquake gave it several severe shakes. Among those who made their way out at a rapid rate was Judge Allyn. Then Northern Pacific headquarters building was so rudely shaken that it was thought by a clerk working in one of the rooms that the globes in the chandeliers would fall to the floor. The windows rattled at a lively rate. At the Tacoma hotel the quakes were very perceptible. A number of guests who were taking afternoon naps were awakened with a start, and they invariably rushed tot he windows to see what was the matter. In the Uhlman block one of the roomers was startled while dozing, and go up out of bed in a hurry, thinking that there had been an explosion of coal gas in the stove. At the Sanford and Stone block, on Tacoma avenue, one of the lady roomers was almost frightened into a faint by the shocks. She is sickly and was nearly thrown off a rocking chair upon which she was sitting. In the same building pieces of bric-a-brac were shaken off a bureau, and a looking-glass that was nailed to the wall was loosened from its fastenings.
Among the private residents the results of the earthquake were more pronounced. Householders in the Home addition, in the North End, a number of women folks, were very much scared. At Union Pacific Agent Harmon’s home the dishes on the table were rattled by the quakes and Mrs. Harmon and another lady were considerably startled. Upon the second floor pieces of furniture were displaced and articles were shaken from the bureau. Real Estate Agent M.E. Dudley, with two friends, was looking thought he Home addition school building, just finished, when the shocks came and the structure was shaken very decidedly. Other residents in the Home addition who have occasion to remember the earthquake are E.W. Taylor and C.W. Hammond. In the southern section of the city the shakes were just as distinct. John Beals’ house, Nh. 1534 E street was shaken in a rough manner. Mr Beals was dosing at the time, but he was awakened and realized that here was an earthquake around. Chief Ellis’ wife, who was in bed at their home on E street near Eleventh, slightly indisposed at the time, felt the bed shake, and in here fright called out to the chief. The home of Thomas Sammons, on E street in Kelloggs’s addition, West Tacoma, was rocked so distinctly as to cause Mrs. Sammons to inquire as to who was shaking the house. Old Town was in it also. Police Sergeant Farrell was on watch at the jail when the earth quakes, and he thought the stove pipe was about to come down.
The earthquake had its effect on the Sound also. Capt. Sudlow, of the tug Quickstep, which is lying at the end of the Northern Pacific dock being repaired, was at work in the cabin on some carpenter work, when his boast was lifted by a big swell, which broke in the bulkhead of the dock and splashed over the boat. The swell was so unusual that the captain made his way out of the cabin to see what steamboat was so close in shore, sending in the swells. He could see no steamer about and was puzzled until he heard about the earthquake.
Puyallup was all agog after the earthquake. Everybody rushed from their homes after the shocks, some of the people much scared. T.T. Worthington, of that city, who came to Tacoma on his way to Whatcom, stated that the shocks were the heaviest he had felt for eight years in this section, and he had been in at least four. He said his house shook as if it was about to topple over. A.D. Campbell was leaning against the Puyallup depot at the time and he declared that he thought that the building would collapse.
No material damage was reported anywhere and it is probable that there was nothing experienced other than a good shaking up. The previous earthquake in this section was about one year ago, but there was no damage then either.
OTHER CITIES SHAKEN
Crockery Broken at Seattle.
SEATTLE, Special Telegram to the GLOBE, Nov. 29. – Three heavy earthquake shocks ere felt here at 3:15 this afternoon at intervals of about a half second. The vibration was from the south to the north. Tall buildings were shaken violently, and there was great excitement in the hotels and large buildings. No damage of consequence was done. Considerable crockery in houses was broken, and mean and women ran out into the streets, recalling as they ran, the recent accounts of Japan’s great disaster.
At the State Capital.
OLYMPIA, Special Telegram to the GLOBE, Nov. 29. –A slight earthquake shock was felt here shortly after 3 o’clock this afternoon.
Lasted Twenty Seconds
PORT TOWNSEND, Special Telegram to the GLOBE, Nov. 29. – A distinct shock of earthquake was felt here at 14 minutes past 3 this afternoon. The shock continued full twenty seconds, Buildings shook windows rattled, and many persons rushed from their homes in alarm. No damage was done
 
Source ID Publication Pub Date Pub Details
7032  Tacoma Daily Ledger  1891  Nov 30, 1891, Mon., p. 5, c. 1-2 
Transcription: At exactly sixteen minutes after 3 o’clock yesterday afternoon, this city and the surrounding vicinity was quite perceptibly, although not violently, shaken by an earthquake. Nearly everyone in the city felt the shock, but many did not know what an earthquake was like, and were unconscious of the fact that they had experienced one until the event became the common Topic about town, when they realized that that “queer feeling” had been caused by the quaking of the earth. Inquiry was made in all parts of the city, and in each direction many people were found who had felt the shock, realizing at the time what was taking place. Guests at the Tacoma and Fife hotels were disturbed, and in the former place a bottle of cologne in one of the upper rooms was upset. To people on the upper floors of the tall buildings, the shock was most noticeable, and many became alarmed and descended. The people on the upper streets as far out as K knew all about the disturbance.
Occupants of the tallest building in the city – that of the National Bank of Commerce – felt the shock quite plainly and some of them rushed to the street below.
A dispatch from Olympia states that a severe shock was felt there shortly after 3 o’clock. Many buildings were shaken but no damage was done.
The concensus of opinion seems to indicated that only a shingle shock was felt, but that this was one of considerable duration, probably thirty seconds. The feeling experienced was that common to earthquakes – a dizzy sickness. The residents of the upper [art of the town felt it most severely. There it was very distinct.
Reports from various parts of the Sound indicate that the shock was quite ???[illegible word – RSL]. The cities on Bellingham bay felt the earth quake very plainly. At Seattle they were visited by an earthquake at 3:???? [illegible time]
It was the most severe ever felt
There were two shocks in quick succession, the first being merely a tremor of at most five waves. After an intermission of thirty seconds it was followed by a more severe shock of twenty seven seconds duration. There were six distinct vibrations. the direction being from southeast to northwest. No damage was done, although great alarm was occasioned to those at the top of six and seven story buildings. One building swayed so much that the elevator pumped against the side of the shaft and could not move until the shock was over. Lake Washington, on the east side of town was lashed into foam and water rolled onto the beach two feet above the mark of the highest water and eight feet above the present stage.
PORT TOWNSEND, Nov. 29. – A distinct shock of earthquake was felt here a t 3:14 o’clock this afternoon. The shock continued fully twenty seconds. Buildings shook, windows rattled and many persons rushed out of their houses. There was no damage.
 
Source ID Publication Pub Date Pub Details
7031  Tacoma Evening Call  1891  Nov. 30, 1891, Mon., p. 3, c. 1,3 
Transcription: Tacoma Shocked [p.3, c. 3]
Two shocks of earthquake startled the good people of Tacoma yesterday afternoon shortly after 3 o’clock.
The first shock lasted about half a minute and the last one about fifteen seconds. Occupants of tall buildings felt the tremor more than those on the ground and many were frightened. No damage was done.
The quake extended over the entire Sound, reports from Olympia and Port Townsend stating that the shock was severe.

Cause of the earthquake. [p.3, c.1]
City Clerk Haskin is of the opinion that the earthquake of yesterday was caused by the Looter and Hedger kicking against the recent supreme court decision which rightfully sustained the EVENING CALL.
 
Source ID Publication Pub Date Pub Details
875  Reid 2, unpub., Scrapbook and Cardfile, on microfilm at USGS in Menlo Park     
Transcription: Physht 3:34p November 29, 1891 VI Duration 5 seconds.
 
Source ID Publication Pub Date Pub Details
6071  Oregonian  1891  1891, Nov 30, P: 2 C: 1 
Transcription: SOUND CITIES JOLTED
An Earthquake Shock Alarms the People

SEATTLE, Nov 29 At 3:20 this afternoon this city was visited by the most severe earthquake shocks ever felt here. There were two shocks in quick succession, the first being merely a tremor of about 5 waves, which alter an intermission of about thirty seconds, was followed bu a more severe shock of twenty-seven seconds duration. There were six distinct vibrations, the direction being from the southeast to the northwest. No damage was done, although great alarm was occasioned to those in the tops at the six or seven-story buildings. One building swayed so much that the elevator bumped against the side of the shaft and could not move until the shock was over. Lake Washington, on the east side of town, was lashed into foam and the water rolled onto the beach two feet above the mark of the highest water and eight feet above the present stage. Reports from Snohomish and Bellingham bay towns say the shock was plainly felt there.

DISTINCT AT PORT TOWNSEND

PORT TOWNSEND, Nov 29 A distinct shock of earthquake was felt here at 3:14 o'clock this afternoon. The shock continued fully twenty seconds. Buildings shook, windows rattled and many persons rushed out of their houses in alarm. No damage was done.

SLIGHT AT TACOMA

TACOMA, Nov 29 A slight earthquake shock was felt all over the city at 3:16 this afternoon. No damage was done. Dispatches say there was a severe shock, but no damage at Olympia.

OLYMPIA VISITED

OLYMPIA, Nov 29 Two earthquake shock were experienced here at 3:20 o'clock this afternoon, the last one being exceptionally severe. Buildings were rocked and many people were frightened, a number rushing into the street.
 
Source ID Publication Pub Date Pub Details
2158  Tsunamis Affecting the West Coast of the United States, 1806-1992  1993  NGDC Key to Geophysical Records Documentation No. 29, U.S. Dept. of Commerce, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, National Geophys. Data Center, Boulder, CO 
Transcription: 1891, Nov. 29, Puget Sound, WA, Validity 3 (ranked from 0-4; 4 highest RSL) , Cause - Landslide, Comments: Two or more separate waves

1891, November 29. "Water in Lake Washington (vicinity of Seattle) surged onto the beach two feet above the mark of the highest water and eight feet above the lake stage on that date" (Camfield, 1980, p. 217). The Seattle Post Intelligence (Dec. 1, 1891) reports, "The Rev. D.C. Garrett.... said yesterday 'the Flyer had just pulled out from the wharf here when I looked at my watch to see how much later we were starting. The hands showed 03:17 and at that moment the ship careened so far to one side I feared for a moment whe was going to upset..'" This presumably is on the Puget Sound side of Seattle as the Flyer was enroute to Tacoma.

The Tacoma Daily Ledger (Nov. 30, 1891) states, "Lake Washington on the east side of town was lashed into foam and the water rolled on the beach two feet above the mark of the highest water and eight feet above the present stage.'" This is repeated in Bradford (1935).

The Morning Globe (Tacoma. Nov. 30, 1891, p. 4) reports, "The Earthquake had its effect on the Sound also. Captain Sudlow of the brig Quickstep, which is lying at the end of the Northern Pacific dock being repaired, was at work in the cabin on some carpenter work, when his boat was lifted by a big swell, which broke on the bulkhead of the dock and splashed over the boat. The swell was so unususal that the captain made his way out of the cabin to see what steamboat was so close to shore, sending in swells. He could see no steamers and was puzzled until he heard about the earthquake." This effect was probably independent from the effect described for Seattle.

Two shocks of an earthquake lasting about five seconds each were felt. No damage was reported. Seismic waves came from the southeast to northwest. One building swayed so much that the elevator bumped against the side of the shaft.

This probably describes three separate events, one on the Puget Sound side of Seattle and a third in the vicinity of Tacoma. These were probably subaerial or submarine landslide-generated tsunamis. Validity 3.
 
Source ID Publication Pub Date Pub Details
255  Bradford, Donald C., 1935, Seismic History of the Puget Sound Basin, BSSA, V. 25, No. 2, pp. 138-153  1935   
Transcription: 1891 November 29, 3:34 p.m. Pysht; duration about ten seconds; panes of glass broken in the hotel, VI? Observer United States Weather Bureau, through United States Geological Survey.
 
Source ID Publication Pub Date Pub Details
256  Bradford, Donald C., 1935, Seismic History of the Puget Sound Basin, BSSA, V. 25, No. 2, pp. 138-153  1935   
Transcription: 1891 November 29; VII; Port Townsend; a distinct shock of earthquake was felt here at 3:14 this afternoon. The shock continued fully twenty seconds; buildings shook, windows rattled, and many persons rushed out of their houses. There was no damage done.
 
Source ID Publication Pub Date Pub Details
257  Bradford, Donald C., 1935, Seismic History of the Puget Sound Basin, BSSA, V. 25, No. 2, pp. 138-153  1935   
Transcription: 1891 November 29; Tacoma; a slight earthquake was felt all over the city at 3:16 this afternoon; no damage was done; a severe shock but no damage done at Olympia, 15h 15m, II. P.
 
Source ID Publication Pub Date Pub Details
876  Reid 2, unpub., Scrapbook and Cardfile, on microfilm at USGS in Menlo Park     
Transcription: Tacoma 3:16p November 29, 1891
 
Source ID Publication Pub Date Pub Details
1416  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: 1891 NOVEMBER 29. 3:14 p.m. An earthquake which was quite strong in the lower Puget Sound basin was felt only slightly in Victoria. Col.
 
Source ID Publication Pub Date Pub Details
1567  The Oregonian  1891  date uncertain -about event of 1891November 29 
Transcription: 1891, November 29. Seattle, Snohomish, Tacoma, Bellingham, Port Townsend, Olympia.

SOUND CITIES JOLTED An Earthquake Shock Alarms the People

Seattle, Nov 29.-- At 3:20 1/2 this afternoon, this city was visited by the most severe earthquake shocks ever felt here. There were two shocks in quick succession, the first being merely a tremor of about 5 waves, which, after an intermission of about 30 seconds, was followed by a more severe shock of 27 seconds duration. There were six distinct vibrations, the direction being from the southeast to the northwest. No damage was done, although great alarm was occasioned to those in the tops of the six and seven story buildings. One building swayed so much that the elevator bumped against the side of the shaft and could not move until the shock was over. Lake Washington, on the east side of town, was lashed into foam and the water rolled onto the beach two feet above the mark of the highest water and eight feet above the present stage. Reports from Snohomish and Bellingham bay towns say the shock was plainly felt there.

DISTINCT AT PORT TOWNSEND. Port Townsend, Nov 29-- A distinct shock of earthquake was felt here at 3:14 o'clock this afternoon. The shock continued fully twenty seconds. Buildings shook, windows rattled and many persons rushed out of their houses in alarm. No damage was done.

SLIGHT IN TACOMA. Tacoma, Nov 29.-- A slight earthquake shock was felt all over the city at 3:16 this afternoon. No damage was done. Dispatches say there was a severe shock, but no damage at Olympia.

OLYMPIA VISITED. Olympia, Nov 29.-- Two earthquake shocks were ex- perienced here at 3:20 o'clock this afternoon, the last one being exceptionally severe. Buildings were rocked and many people were frightened, a number rushed into the street.
 
Source ID Publication Pub Date Pub Details
877  Reid 2, unpub., Scrapbook and Cardfile, on microfilm at USGS in Menlo Park     
Transcription: Port Townsend 3:14p November 29, 1891 VII Duration 20 seconds.
 
Source ID Publication Pub Date Pub Details
926  U. S. Dept. of Commerce, 1973, Earthquake History of the United States, V. 41-1, revised ed., pp. 89-96  1973   
Transcription: Nov. 29 15:21 Puget Sound region, Wash - - 4,000 V-VI 3-25,25
 
Source ID Publication Pub Date Pub Details
985  U. S. Dept. of Commerce, 1973, Earthquake History of the United States, V. 41-1, revised ed., pp. 89-96  1973   
Transcription: 1891. November 29. Puget Sound region, Wash. Strong shock. Epicenter uncertain. Strong at Seattle where an elevator jammed in the shaft; waters of Lake Washington were disturbed. Also strong at Port Townsend where people rushed from buildings, and at Pysht where slight damage occurred.
 
Source ID Publication Pub Date Pub Details
7030  Seattle Telegraph  1891  Nov. 30, 1891, Mon., p. 3, c. 2 and p. 4, c. 2 and p. 8, c. 2 
Transcription: THE EARTH TREMBLED
A Lively Earthquake Visits Seattle – Three Shocks Were Felt But No Damage Done – Amusing Incidents.

Seattle was visited yesterday afternoon by the severest earthquake experienced since 1878. The tremblor put in an appearance between 3:13 and 3:15 o’clock, according to different observers. Some say the visitor rattled the gates of the city only twice, while others are equally as positive that it knocked vigorously three times. At all events, everybody felt it and excitement ran high. The sky was overcast with low-hanging, ominous looking clouds of leaden hue, and from the south a weal of thunder was heard, which was not calculated to quiet the fears of the people, who impulsively ran out into the streets and braved, bare-headed, a heavy rain, which began falling immediately after the shock.
In the large buildings the shock was more perceptible, and chandeliers were shaken until the globes on them rattled. Plastering in several down-town houses was cracked, but outside of this no damage was done, but many amusing incidents occurred throughout the city.
In a prominent hotel a stage beauty was reveling in a bath. When the building shook she gathered herself together and very scantily clad ran through the hallway shouting fire and murder.
Wah Chong’s big brick building on South Fifth street was crowded with Chinese at the time the earth began too tremble. Before the earth quit shivering – and it was quick work – Wah Chong’s big brick building hadn’t a Mongolian in it. They filled the street and stood outside looking up at the structure for many minutes. There was such a confused gibberish among all the celestials that THE TELEGRAPH representative was unable to report them connectedly, and his translations are not published as a consequence. It was fully half an hour after the earthquake before the Chinese could be persuaded that the danger was over, and that it was not American dynamite scheme that had alarmed them.
An actress living in the fourth story of the Pacific house, corner of Washington and South Second streets, was so alarmed when the seismic vibrations began that, imagining the building, which is built on piles, was about to totter and fall, she sprang to the window, threw it up, and was on the ragged edge of springing from that dizzy height blindly to the street below when a sister-roomer caught her dress and thus saved the girl from being dashed to death on the pavement below.
Dr. Buchanan was performing a surgical operation on a man in the third story of the Pacific house, and had the fellow stripped almost completely. When the shock came the patient seemed to be inspired by fear, for he broke for the door and ran like a mad man for the stairway. He slipped, and before he could regain his balance the doctor was on top of him, and the patient, all exhausted, was helped back to his room.
At police head quarters the furniture and fixtures were disturbed and the prisoners badly scared. Chief Rogers says there were two shocks, following in quick succession, lasting 30 seconds.
The Seventh-street hill and the mammoth court house felt the quake. Every chandelier in the building swayed backwards and forwards. The prisoners were startled and ran excitedly about their cells and in the corridors, fright being depicted on every countenance. Jailor Monroe thought there was but one shock.
In a South Third-street saloon, which was crowded, a rush was made for the street, the doors being broken down and torn off hinges by the crush of men all seeking to get out. The tremblor was also felt in the engine houses, but strange to say did not, as earthquakes usually do, turn in an alarm. The motion was violent enough, however, to move some of the apparatus.
The vibration was fro south to north, and best information is that there were three shocks at intervals of about one second. On the water front its presence was noticed by the rolling of the water in a long swell.

Port Townsend Shocked. PORT TOWNSEND, Nov. 29. – (Special.) – An earthquake shock was felt at 3:18 p. m. Brick buildings were severely shaken and the inmates fled to the streets, but there was no damage. The weather is 10 degrees colder.

[p. 4, c. 1] The tail-tip of an earthquake somewhere wiggled in the Sound country yesterday. California should keep its vibrations under better control

[p. 8, c. 1] Severe earthquake Shock.
Olympia, Nov. 20. – (Special.) – At 3:16 o’clock this afternoon, a severe earthquake shock rattled the buildings throughout the city. Several clocks were stopped, but no damage was done.
 
Source ID Publication Pub Date Pub Details
1698  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: 189111292321000 48115-123443W VII R 7 01
 
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
7112  Land of trees: Scannings from Quinault country, the Grays Harbor region, and beyond, 1774-1997
by Larry J Workman, Quinault Indian Nation
ISBN: 0940359014 		 1997   
Transcription: EARTHQUAKE EVENTS LISTED IN Workman, Land of Trees (1997)

SOURCE: Workman, Larry J. Land of Trees: Scannings From Quinault Country, the Grays Harbor Region, and Beyond 1774-1997 (Taholah, WA: The Quinault Indian Nation, 1997)
Newspapers that were used for most of the entries include Daily World (Aberdeen), Montesano Vidette, Weekly Puget Sound Courier (Olympia), Olympic [sic?] Transcript (Olympia), Washington Standard (Olympia), North Coast News (Ocean Shores)
*
November 23, 1827 “Slight shock of earthquake felt at Fort Langley”
October 1842 “St. Helens enters a violent eruptive phase that will continue intermittently for fifteen years.”
November 23, 1842 “Ash from St. Helens falls to ½ inch deep at the Dalles.”
February 16, 1843 “Peter H. Burnett (later governor of California) reports, ‘The mountain (St. Helens) burning magnificently.’”
1854 “George Davidson, a scientist, reports ‘vast rolling masses of dense smoke,’ on Mt. Baker.”
December 14, 1872 “Strong earthquake felt on Puget Sound.” p 35
October 19, 1873 “Clouds of smoke pour from the highest peak of Mount Rainier. (Last for nearly a week).” p 35
March 27, 1884 “Quite an earthquake shock in Hoquiam was noticed about 10:00 p.m. lasting 3 seconds; no damage.” p 38
October 9, 1885 “Earthquake in Olympia.” p 40
September 3, 1886 “Greatest earthquake to hit the United States centers on Charleston, South Carolina.” p 41
April 22, 1887 “An earthquake shock, heavy enough in places to shake dishes from shelves, was felt in several towns in this Territory.” (Note: Index refers to this as an earthquake at Grays Harbor) p 42
May 7, 1887 “Something like a tidal-wave struck the Quinaielt agency at midnight. Some of the Indian houses were waist deep in water, the inmates yelling in terror as they were submerged during sleep on their low sleeping places. The water receded as rapidly as it came, carrying everything portable in its exit.” p 43
November 30, 1891 “Earthquake shock slight on [Grays? gwl] Harbor, but heaviest ever experienced in some Sound cities.” p 49
April 18, 1906 “Bay City (San Francisco) ravage by earthquake at 5:10 a.m. and the fires that followed (the rebuilding of the city greatly stimulated logging on Grays Harbor).” p 66
January 11, 1909 “Grays Harbor Earthquake, 4:03 p.m.” p 68
April 16, 1910 “Halley’s Comet visible to the naked eye.” p 70
October 11, 1911 “Earthquake in Southern California kills 700.” p 71
September 5, 1914 “Earthquake in Olympia felt over 1,000 sq. miles.” p 74
January 13, 1915 “50,000 die in Italian earthquake.” p 74
April 22, 1915 “Tacoma rocked by an earthquake.” p 74
December 24, 1920 “A small tidal wave sweeps beaches, washes 12 Sunset Beach cottages from their foundations.” p 79
September 3, 1923 “Japanese earthquake kills 90,000.” p 82
December 4, 1926 “Quake shakes Northwest.” p 85
July 16, 1928 “Giant meteor lights up night sky and [Grays? gwl] Harborites hear rumble.” p 87
March 12, 1929 “Brilliant light flashes in the sky.” p 87 (Note: Index references this as Meteor - Harbor)
May 4, 1929 “Report of vast earth upheaval on the Queets near M. M. Kelly Ranch.” p 88
December 31, 1931 “Tremor shakes up Puget Sound and Hood Canal.” p 91
 


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