New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1867-12-27
THE TREcK OF THE MoyoyGAHEL4


QUAKE UPON THE SEA-HOW THE SHIP
WAS LANDED N THE TOWN OF SANTA CRUZ.
The YonkerS Statesman prints the following
extract from letter Of officer Of the Monongahela TO
a friend IN Yonkers, written from ST. Cruz shortly
after the earthquake
You Will be somewhat startled to learn from this that
the MonOngahela lies at this time high ana dry on me
Island Of It. Cruz. We have just passed through ne
shaking OF terrible earthquake, which. while ieaHuy
aGtaung TINS ana the aompS lsia.ts, sllISu ~ n
its very depths, and left US after the toughest hd
Of handling, where We now are ana "Aere may saicy
say ship has ever been before.
We had Just finished dinner the afternoon Of the
18th Now and with several others had gone as usual
to have our accustomed smoke on the ioIecase Wheh
were suddenly startled by lOud Tuublhg noise ana
violent shaking of the ship from stem 10 stern Our
first thought was some accident IN the ehgl room or
some damage 10 the boilers. The men below decks
rushed up in dreadful CONSERVATION, some running to
the sides OF the snip 70 uI0W enseiNes INTO tne se"'
and ali apparently confOunded WIN the noise ana ugt
ton, strange and unaocountaole AT that moment
one OF our omGeTs' VINO was iookAg to"aru tle Iau.
exclaimed: II Is an earthquake Ihere goes ne tower
Of the English Church - But just then all quiet again
We eooS d ~, Ou 40 rTdi,i dd All tbese fbinss baIr
that could not note the time-l saw large nab0a
which anchored short distance ahead OF U.s. going
at tremendous speed directly 10 the land and Our
vessel simultaneously settled upon the bottom 81 the
bay, from which every inch Of water had disappeared
Tie chain TO which our anchor was attached brought
Up with violent Jerk We immediately let ont more,
which with fearful velocity until the whole length
of fahOms out IA less time than 10 takes 10
tell it. As chaB going out SWING nearly al
the way round and thus being last driven on 70 me
shore our position now was frightful; certain death
seemed imminent We were anchored about quarter of
mile from the land IN 1--WE fathoms Of water put with
the rapidly Of thought all this water had rccedcd from
under US tho ship had Careened over, aud was fast
aground a bottom which seemed also fast sinking
beneath us. At this moment one Of the men aloft
ia the rigging sung out: o. Ny GOdi-lOOk look out
10 There, about three miles from land saw per
fecty solid wall Of water comngd recty toward the snip
and threatening 70 carry everything before u into ire
teya6e destruction: IL was about 80 feet m hight and
eAe9ueu inc WhOe lehgth Oh the lsiAhd 1Cu WIZ not
wonder that for moment fearful panic should have
paTayzed Of the men, but IL than simple
luaute 70 %! lhat AT mat a"l4l moment the ma
Jointly Of the crew Wero cool aud collected, Obeylng
every order quietly and with alacrty, though e4-
pectug iu "a very lew moments TO be overwhelmed In
the impending destruction. Most proyideutiaiy, how
ever before the struck the water had deepened
uhoeI Us huhcleny To no@t me mp AGAIN Had II not
been for this nothing could have saved 10 first
upon our quarter and turned US brOadsde 70 H. then
lifted Us bodily and rushed us ia shore at speed past all
reckoning When the sea reached us were sul lyIug
on our port SIDE but the sudden shock sent us nearly
much upon our starboard side indeed, came within
AGO OF going on our beams end that sIde II
had done so, the ship and All hands would most certainly
have been lost.
Following Immediately behind this wave were two
others not quite 30 large yet very nearly 30 Each
Of these as IN turn struck the ship, made her cmbe
in al her joints. Already on the inland side Of
action Of these consecutive waves was first 10 draw us
back little IN the recession, and then TO impe for
ward again and land upon bed OF coral Just opposite
over loIg row of sheds which We bejped Inc sea ~
knock down, and then directly in front OF the second
story windows Of houses upon the street within which
could distinctly hear, went along, the heart
rendiug OF the unfortunate and children
who had not had time 10 make their escape.
IL is most curious that notwithstanding al the hard
knocks and sudden jerks through which passed
single spar lost The rife gun upon tic forecaste
forced from fastenings upon the first rch and
lost overheard, carrying the with it, who,
however, was fortunately rescued. One man jumped
overheard and disappeared, and three Who we're
boat the time were also drowned Their bodies
have been recovered and decenty buried.
just as soon as we were firmly landed the crew made
rush for the SIDE OF the ship and began u scramble down
TO the ground upon ends rope whatever they could
lay their hands upon This was soon stopped, however
aud detailed 90 ashore and bring back the runa.
ways found that quite number Of them IN their rapid
descent, were badly burned, and some almost tayed
alive. One poor fellow. when he abont half way
down, fen and broke both legs which have since been
We are busily employed in getting everything out
OF the ship TO tighten her She is not materially injured,
and II the weather is clear and pleasant, and
earthquakes it is thought she can be got aoat again.
Inc people on shore are completely demoralized This
felt They have had before only slight trembngs.
Nearly az the population have deserted their houses,
ana are hNng IN tents made out Of sails and awnings
which have been sent 10 them from our ship In tie
largest tent are gathered nearly all the elite OF the town.
ana we LAX tuIhs IN mounting guard over them every
night. They are as you may well imagine. dreadfully
frightened, and fancy fresh shocks at every sound And
We are constantly having understanding like that OF
Monday last, but sun now and then a rather lively one
have lad change of weather IL rained Yesterday and
who know the habits Of earthquakes say that there
are shakiDgs after "A rain.
The negroes are most horribly frightened They crowd
together IN heaps and on the slightest culver OF The
ground they commence 10 scream, sing and pray AS
soon as II Is dark they begin one long loud wall which
they keep up steadily All night long 10 IS necessary 10
out Of the fowl The chance for piiagng is good and
they in in ehoas 20 the deserted houses
20 fire them at times desperate and determined
they IN their intent 10 plumber.
All Of our olicere aro completely tired out We arc
hard az work all day long IN wreeng the ship and at
night beside guarding the ladies, every and then,
called upon 10 20 after some Of own who
have left the chip. and, under too much excitement
creating n viii be a curious experiment in eng
neeTing 70 feat the M0nongahela again; and II de
tailed 20 remain here ehall be able profit nv what
would not probably be witnessed again sun, u
believed IL can and will be done.
The houses in St. Cruz terribly shattered many
viii have 20 be pulled down and rebuilt The hotel froIn
Tx gLad
even very light shock would tOpple over cannot say
too much in praise Of the Kindness Of the nhabitante
thelr hospitality u bounded only by their ability which,
however unfortunately for u.s. IL rather restricted ut this
time 50 tfr 40 they can however, they showing
every attention