Ten Minutes
before Ten
_ From a Ship 's Captain writing home under the same date _ . '' ... On Saturday the first instant , I arose at Five , in order to remove my Ship from the Custom-house , agreeable to my Order ; by Nine we sailed down and anchored off the upper end of the _ Terceras _ . Wind at N.E. a small Breeze , and a fine clear morning . Ten Minutes before Ten , I felt the Ship have an uncommon Motion , and could not help thinking she was aground , although sure of the Depth of Water . As the Motion increased , my Amazement increased also ; and as I was looking round to find out the Meaning of this uncommon Motion , I was immediately acquainted with the direful Cause ; when at that Instant looking towards the City , I beheld the tall and stately Buildings tumbling down , with great Cracks and Noise , and particularly that part of the City from _ St. Paul 's _ in a direct Line to _ Bairroalto _ ; as also , at the same Time , that Part from the said Church along the River-side Eastward as far as the Gallows , and so in a curve Line Northward again ; and the Buildings as far as _ St. Joze _ and the _ Rofcio _ , were laid in the three following Shocks , which were so violent as I heard many say they could with great Difficulty stand on their Legs . There is scarce one House of this great City left habitable . The Earth opened , and rent in several Places , and many expected to be swallowed up .