THE SUPPOSED EARTHQUAKES AT CHELMSFORD. 39
intimation that collections may be sent in to the Secretary, or some
sub-Secretary, on or before some certain date in September next, and
each of such collections to contain the name and address of the col-
lector. Subsequently some competent person will go over the col-
lections, and report the results at the Annual Foray next year.
Whether the Council thinks fit to offer any prize for the most com-
plete collection is not for me to determine.
All that remains to be added is that my own services may be
relied upon within reasonable limits, as far as time and leisure will
permit.
THE SUPPOSED EARTHQUAKES AT CHELMS-
FORD ON JANUARY 7th, 1890, DUE TO THE
DISCHARGE OF HEAVY GUNS.
IN the "Essex County Chronicle" of January 10th, it was announced that
two slight shocks, supposed to be earthquakes, were felt at Chelmsford on
January 7th, 1890. The reporter writes :—"The first occurred at 12.30, when
a low rumbling sound like thunder in the distance was heard, accompanied
by a vibration of the ground and a rattling of the windows. The shock was
observed in several parts of the town. The more pronounced shock was,
however, at 1.25 p.m., when the rumbling, moaning, sound was intensified,
there being a heavy throbbing in the air like the pulsation of an engine. At
many houses there was a violent shaking at the windows, and two cases are
reported of things trembling on the tables. Some men working for Mr. Norring-
ton heard the sound, took it to be the rumble of a heavy wagon, and went out to
see it. Nothing was in sight. Several people recognised the shock as being
similar to the forerunner of the 1884 earthquake, and rushed out of their houses."
Mr. Charles Davison, of 38, Charlotte Road, Birmingham, made special en-
quiries into the facts of this supposed earthquake, and he reports in "Nature" of
February 20th, that the result of his investigations tends to show that the shocks
were almost certainly due to the firing of unusually heavy guns at Woolwich.
He adds :—"It may be worth while to state the evidence for this conclusion some-
what fully, as it may be difficult to obtain it in after years.
(1) I applied to the authorities at Woolwich and Shoeburyness as to the nature
of the firing on January 7th. At the latter place, the only practice was from
9-inch and 10-inch guns, the maximum charge used was 70 pounds of powder, and
therefore not capable of producing the shocks felt at Chelmsford. At Woolwich,
however, the no-ton gun, 'the heaviest in H.M. service,' was fired at the times
mentioned.
(2) Form of the Disturbed Area.—The only accounts I have as yet received
are from the following places : Great Warley (near Romford), Brentwood, Epping.
Ingatestone, on the road between Ongar and Fyfield, Roxwell, Chelmsford)
Chignal St. James, and Chipping Hill (Witham) ; which are respectively at
about 6, 121/2, 14, 16, 16, 21, 24, 24, and 32 miles distance from Woolwich. Re-