The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1854-06-15
THRIIrSN0 ACCOUNT
OF THA
GREAT EARTHQUAKE IN SAN SALVADOR.
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INTERESTING INCIDENTS.
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Description of the City from Traveller.
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OFFICIAL DOCUMENTS, RELATIVE TO
THE CALAMITY,
THR1I1~xG ACCOUNT
INTERESTING INCIDENTS.
description of the City from Traveller

States OF the complete destruction Of the CITY o.
San Salvador, capitol Of the State Of the sam.
name, in Central America, by an earthGuake, O,
the night OF the 10th OF April last. Up to thp
time however, the public has been put in posses
sion OF none of the particulars Of the
Ne have now before number of private letters
aed the official publications, describing the event
a summary of all Of which win be found below.
TIE city of San Salvador, in point of size and i'm
portasce, has ranked third in Central America
GuateIrala, in the Stase OF the same name being
first, and Leon, in Escamgua second. 1t was
fnnJed in 1923, by George Alvarado, brother
Of the celebrated Pejro Alsasado the next
in command to Cortes, ia his conques
os Mexico, a1d afterwards the oonquerow
and governor Of Guatem,h. Its foundations were
fit laid at place now c-lled the Bermuda, about
sileagues to the northwa u of the present SITE In
1888 it was reoved to the place which il occupied
until she late catastrophe. Its name was given to
it by Alvarado, in commenOration OF his final de-
csivo victory over the lndisHs of " Cuscatlann the
Land Of Riches the preseut State Of san Salvador
was puudly called by its aboriginal oc ,upants This
victory gained the eve of the festival of San
Salvador.
During the dominion of Spain in America, the
city was the seat Of the Governor ntendente of tho
Province of San Salvador, dependent on the Can
tain-G Generally of Guatemala. After the in
dependence, IT became the capital of the
State, and was early distinguished for its thor.
ough devotion to the principles OF the liberal party
in Central America.
After the confederation OF the States it was Sc
lected the capitol Of the new republic and dis
trct was laid or around it, called the Federal Dis
trict, after the example of the United States In
erecting the District Of Columbia. II continued to
he the seat Of the federal government until its down
fall in 1889.
The writer of this notice spent the month of Au-
gust of last year in the city Of San Salvador and
was much impressed with the great beauty Of the
town, and the general intelligence, industry, and
enterprise of its inhabitants, who surpass in these
respects, the people of any of the other
large towns of Central America The po-
siticn Of the town is remarkably beautiful be-
ing in the midst of broad, elevated plain,
on the summit Of the high table land or
coast range Of mountains which intervenes
between the true Cordlleras and the valley of the
great river Lempa and the Pacific. Its elevation
by barometrical and admeasurement, is 2,ll5 feet
above the sen. As consequence, its climate is cool
as comparei with that Of the coast alluvions
although unfavorably modified in this respect, by
low range of hills the southern border Of the
plain which shuts oEthe sea breeze. We're IL not for
this obstacle, the breezes of the ocean, which is only
about twenty miles distant, would reach the CITY,
During the month OF August, 1853 the maximum OF
temperature was 81 degrees Of Fahrenheit. the min
imum 20, and the mean average 76 degs. min.
which constitutes delicious climate
The hills around the plain Of San Salvador are
covered with verdure, which, az the dews are COZ
siderable, keeps green through the dry as well as
the rainy season. The city, with its white houses
and churches, seemed, therefore to- be set in living
emerald. About three miles to the westward Of
the city is the great volcano Of San Salvador. The
cone, which rises on the northern border or edge
OF the crater, Is approximately 5000 feet in
height. The volcano proper, however, is q vast mass,
with broad base Of irregular outline, its summit
serrafed by the jagged edges Of the crater and il
much less in altitude than the cone. This cone
seems to have been formed by ashes and scorae
thrown out Of the crater, which is represented as
league and half in circumference, and Thousand
rdras, three thousand feet deep-almost large
enough to receive the whole mass OF the
volcano of yesuvius. At the bottom Of this crater is
considerable lake Of water. Very few persons
have had the temeriiy to venture into the chasm Of
the volcano, and none of these likely Judging
from the accounts which they give Of their efforts.
to repeat the undertaking. Two Frenchmen, who
ventured down year or two since, became ex.
hausted and incapable Of returning. They were
rescued, with great difficulty, by detachment Of
soldiers from the garrison.
The entire line Of the coast range Of mountains
or hills in San Salvador bristles with volcanoes.
Thirty.iv miles to the eastward Of the city Is the
great forked peak of San Vicente, 1000 feet In
height; and thirty miles to the westward, on the
same line. - The vast bulk Of the volcano Of Sta
Ana with It's dependent peak, the volcano Of Isalco.
which Is in state Of constant eruption, and is call
ed "El Faro de San Salvador the Lighthouse Of
San Salvador. Besides these are numerous other
volcanoes occurring, in conjunction with those just
named, in the following order, commencing at the
eastern extremity Of the State San Miguel (ac
tive), Chinemcca, sacatecoluca, Tecapa, Usulutan.
san Vicente San Salvador, Guasapa, Izaco (nctive).
Sta Ana, and Apenaca, besides some others Of less
note, to say nothing of extinct craters, volcanic
orfces, or extinct vents, which are now generally
filed with water constituting lakes without outlets.
and Of which the water ia brackish. One Of these.
called "Joya," occurs about four miles to the south
west of the city Of San Salvador,
1t would be impossible to describe here the numer.
GUS active vents, emitting smoke, steam and sulphur
yupoH which at near the bases OF some Of
these vocaaocs and which are called "Infernilos,"
literally "Iittlc Hels." There arc, also, numerous
other volcanic phenomena and results, of exceed
ing scientific as well as popular interest, but which
It would exceed the scope of newspaper arti-
Gle to describe adequately. In word, II may be
said with truth, that San Salvador comprehends
more volcanoes, and has within Its limits more mark
Cd results Of volcanic action, than probably any
other equal extent Of the earth. For days the ira
Weller within It's borders journeys over unbrokcn
beds Of lava scorae and volcanic sand constituting,
contrary to what most people would suppose, soil
or unloundcd fertility, and densely covered with
vegetation.