For Whom the Bells Toll

Today in SC History - August 31, 1886, 9:51pm.

The largest recorded earthquake in the history of the southeastern United States strikes Charleston, and is felt as far away as Boston, Chicago, and Cuba. The quake kills more than 100 and leaves hundreds of buildings destroyed.

An eyewitness account and photos from the Charleston Year Book of 1886:

“When the bells of St. Michael’s Church, in Charleston, chimed the third quarter after nine o’clock on the evening of Tuesday, August 31st, 1886, their familiar tones spoke peace and peace alone…There was no whispered warning in the well known sounds, or in any subdued voice of the night, to hint of the fearful calamity so near at hand... Within seven minutes after the last stroke of the chime…Charleston was in ruins.

“The rapid rolling of a heavy body…the rattle of window sashes, gas fixtures and other movable objects… floors were heaving underfoot, the surrounding walls and partitions visibly swayed to and fro, the crash of falling masses of stone and brick and mortar was overheard and without, the terrible roar filled the ears, and seemed to fill the mind and heart…it was only a question of death within the building or without, of being buried beneath the sinking roof or crushed by the falling walls.

“From every quarter arose the shrieks, the cries of pain and fear, the prayers and wailings of terrified women and children...The air was everywhere filled, to the height of the houses, with a whitish cloud of dry, stifling dust arising from the lime and mortar of shattered masonry...a woman lies prone and motionless on the pavement…a man in his shirtsleeves, with blood streaming over his clothing from a wound on his head, moves about…no one knows which way to turn…The reality seems strangely unreal…


“Four severe shocks occurred before midnight. Three others followed…"