Earthquake in Box, 17 December 1896 Alan Payne April 2026
A notable earthquake struck England and Wales at 5.30am on 17 December 1896 and was widely reported to an amazed public. It was stated as being of greater violence than previous shocks in Great Britain, although the extent of the damage was minor.[1] Proof of its existence was deemed necessary, not for any supernatural suggestion, but because the event shocked the certainty of late Victorian society. It struck a chord with other well-publicised quakes across the world, including the Ischia quake in Italy which had been witnessed by Box residents on holiday a decade earlier.
The Ischia Earthquake was witnessed by Augustus Perren of Box in 1883 (photo Georgio Sommer courtesy Wikipedia)
The Quake
The centre of the earthquake is believed to have been Hereford, which gave its name to this quake. There the pinnacle of the Cathedral and two churches were damaged and one woman was reported as having died of fright.[2] As it turned out, the quake was felt throughout much of England and Wales and reports gradually appeared in local newspapers from other areas.[3] News of the event went worldwide reaching the West Indies papers.[4]
Actual events are difficult to establish, other than the most trivial of occurrences. In the Bath area, it was reported that: First of all there was a slight trembling sensation … a subsequent rumbling noise, more severe than the previous one. Pictures and ornaments were distinctly heard shaking. Different people gave conflicting reports. The phenomenon may have lasted several seconds, or there were a series of shocks from 1.30am until 5.35am.[5]
Evidence from Box Area
Lest people should think that it was a spoof story, the newspapers reported the evidence from well-known residents, such as Sir Charles Hobhouse of Monkton Farleigh: I was awakened by a loud rumbling. This stopped immediately and was followed by the violent shaking of the windows and a noise as of stones falling.[6]
Box local resident and well-known photographer, Augustus F Perren, gave a long report of the quake: much alarm was occasioned in the district of (the Box Railway Station), and particularly at Box Hill, where practically every householder was aroused and startled by the shock.[7] Augustus’s attention was attracted by a deep rumbling noise as that of a passing train… accompanied by a shaking of the windows and a rattling of the ware upon the wash stand.
More reports came from Box Hill residents. CJ Pictor at Fogleigh House reported that he and others were aroused by a vibrating noise.[8] The landlord of the Rising Sun Inn stated that on hearing the rumbling noise he got up and was at first under the impression that it was caused by some one trying to break into the premises.
Conclusion
The earthquake was of comparatively little significance, inflicting minimal damage and little destruction of premises. But it touched a nerve with British people experiencing foreign travel and a greater sense of international events, including the Summer Olympics held in Athens in 1896. British society was becoming increasingly modern, The Importance of Being Earnest ran in London theatres and HG Well’s The Time Machine was published. Motor cars were able to run without being led by a man with a flag, wireless telegraphy started, and Glasgow acquired an underground rail service. Box too was revitalised with the formation of the Box Parish Council, a new form of democracy.
The centre of the earthquake is believed to have been Hereford, which gave its name to this quake. There the pinnacle of the Cathedral and two churches were damaged and one woman was reported as having died of fright.[2] As it turned out, the quake was felt throughout much of England and Wales and reports gradually appeared in local newspapers from other areas.[3] News of the event went worldwide reaching the West Indies papers.[4]
Actual events are difficult to establish, other than the most trivial of occurrences. In the Bath area, it was reported that: First of all there was a slight trembling sensation … a subsequent rumbling noise, more severe than the previous one. Pictures and ornaments were distinctly heard shaking. Different people gave conflicting reports. The phenomenon may have lasted several seconds, or there were a series of shocks from 1.30am until 5.35am.[5]
Evidence from Box Area
Lest people should think that it was a spoof story, the newspapers reported the evidence from well-known residents, such as Sir Charles Hobhouse of Monkton Farleigh: I was awakened by a loud rumbling. This stopped immediately and was followed by the violent shaking of the windows and a noise as of stones falling.[6]
Box local resident and well-known photographer, Augustus F Perren, gave a long report of the quake: much alarm was occasioned in the district of (the Box Railway Station), and particularly at Box Hill, where practically every householder was aroused and startled by the shock.[7] Augustus’s attention was attracted by a deep rumbling noise as that of a passing train… accompanied by a shaking of the windows and a rattling of the ware upon the wash stand.
More reports came from Box Hill residents. CJ Pictor at Fogleigh House reported that he and others were aroused by a vibrating noise.[8] The landlord of the Rising Sun Inn stated that on hearing the rumbling noise he got up and was at first under the impression that it was caused by some one trying to break into the premises.
Conclusion
The earthquake was of comparatively little significance, inflicting minimal damage and little destruction of premises. But it touched a nerve with British people experiencing foreign travel and a greater sense of international events, including the Summer Olympics held in Athens in 1896. British society was becoming increasingly modern, The Importance of Being Earnest ran in London theatres and HG Well’s The Time Machine was published. Motor cars were able to run without being led by a man with a flag, wireless telegraphy started, and Glasgow acquired an underground rail service. Box too was revitalised with the formation of the Box Parish Council, a new form of democracy.
References
[1] The Bath Chronicle, 24 December 1896
[2] Salisbury and Winchester Journal, 19 December 1896
[3] The Newcastle Daily Chronicle, 18 December 1896
[4] The Antigua Observer, 24 December 1896
[5] The Bath Chronicle, 24 December 1896
[6] Devizes and Wiltshire Advertiser, 24 December 1896
[7] Devizes and Wiltshire Gazette, 24 December 1896
[8] The Wiltshire Times, 19 December 1896
[1] The Bath Chronicle, 24 December 1896
[2] Salisbury and Winchester Journal, 19 December 1896
[3] The Newcastle Daily Chronicle, 18 December 1896
[4] The Antigua Observer, 24 December 1896
[5] The Bath Chronicle, 24 December 1896
[6] Devizes and Wiltshire Advertiser, 24 December 1896
[7] Devizes and Wiltshire Gazette, 24 December 1896
[8] The Wiltshire Times, 19 December 1896