The spirit of democracy. [volume] (Woodsfield, Ohio) 1844-1994, 1851-06-18
GREAT EARTHQUAKE IN CHILL.

cent earthquake in Valparaiso, is taken
from the Mercantile Reporter, published in
that city:
ION the Cd Of April, at 81 a. m. ,,Valpa.
raiso was visited by one of those calami.
ties so frequent in volcanic countries.
ssThe severest shock ever felt since the
great earthquake Of the year 1929, when
Valparaiso was almost totally destroyed,
has created a panic not equalled by any
former event.
"a severe trembling OF the earth of ff-
teen seconds duration, prolonged by less
violent after shocks to two minutes, which
two minutes appeared as SO many hours
TO those whose lives and property were en-
dangered, has in so short time destroyed
several hundred dwellings, and has made
agreat number of persons houseless.
''lt is generally believed that, from the
violence OF the shock, ten or fifteen Sec
onds more would have brought on the
same disastrous consequences as the earth
quake in 1929, though the houses at pres
eht are generally built in more substan-
ual manner, and less liable TO fall
"The motion came from the south, and
directed its course to the north. notwith-
standing some oil the northern ports Of the
country, as Copiapo, Coqunibo, and Ca
b1a, have only felt very slight SYMPTOMS of
the shock, and it is supposed that the mo-
,ion, though severe, has not spread over
much territory. From the south, Concep-
ton, Talcahuano, and other places, we
have received no intelligence up to this
date, but are led to believe, from the rreg-
ular course of The motion, that the effects
have not been severe.
"Constitucion, we have ascertaned, has
not suffered. We have received further
accounts from the captain OF vessel from
the south, who report TO have felt a severe
commotion in the sea. forty miles off San
Antonio. This confirms us in our opinion
that the motion of the earth has been very
irregular.
''The temperature during the earthquake
was hot and oppressive, but no alteration
took place in the thermometer, which stood
at 62.
"The American irigate Raritan let go
her head Immediately, and had great diff
Guilty in hauling it in; the convulson at
the bottom of the sea having caused it to
sink three feet in the sand. ........
"Fhe motion of the earth was observed
10 be of less violence in some parts than
others, not hundred yards distant, SO
much so, that old and decayed houses
stood the shock better in some parts than
newly and strongly erected edl6ces. and
those houses in the structure Of which the
most timber has been employed remained
almost sound.
..During the eventful fifteen seconds the
houses rocked to and fro as so many YES
sells at sea.
mot breeze Of air was perceptible du-
ring the whole OF the day, and slighter
shocks continued at 46 minutes, 6 Sc
minutes, 8 IS minutes, 10 55 minutes, and
have continued ever since of more or less
strength and duration; and even at this
moment of writing, on the 9TH instant, at
II p. m., short but severe motion made
the inhabitants rush out Of their houses
"The houses in the port, where the great
est part of the commercial establishments
kept their offices, have, comparatively
speaking, suffered but little, being built on
q solid rocky foundation; and we can on
ly hear of one of General Harrera's houses
occupied by Messrs. Gibbs & Co., being
in dangerous state. The custom-house
has suffered little; some slight constructed
outward ornaments having been demollsh-
ed, and part of the roof having been carrl-
ed along with it. The consequent heavy
rain, however, on the 4th inst, has dam
aged number of packages, the extent of
WHICH we have not ascertalned. A few
houses situated on the top Of the hill Main
Top sailors resort, came tumbling down
with crash.
In those parts, however, spreading along
the beach, the Amandrale, Gale Nueva,
and others, where the ground is loose and
sandy, considerable damage has been
done, and above two hundred houses are
unfit for habltation More than two hun
dred families have been obliged to pass the
first day and night in the streets, partly
from fear of renewed shocks, partly from
the danger attending the stay in their
houses. .. a.
The middle of the streets was crowded,
particularly with the female portion OF the
city. until, in the course Of the following
day, tents and wooden houses were erect
ed in the Plaza de Victoria for the house
less. The captains of vessels Of all ma
tons in the port placed Immediately their
vessels at the ioposal Of all who wanted
refuge, either from necessity or fear, and
have since then received the thanks OF the
government for their hospitality, expressed
in letter from the lntendente, General
Blanco.
"Much damage has been done TO stores
where liquids glassware. and other break
able materials are kept. We are happy
to say not single life has been lost, nor
can we hear of severe fracture. On the
fourth instant, at twelve o'clock, p. m, a