The Marietta journal. [volume] (Marietta, Ga.) 1866-1909, 1868-09-25
Correspondence of the New York Tribune.

4 correspondence " utc AVcW 1OH AfeV""S'
PANAMA, Sept. 1.-The most terrible
earthquake that ever occurred on the
coast of South America took place
on the 18th ult. At first but little was
known of the dreadful catastrophe that
had visited with deadly effect nearly
every city ON the coast, the events Of
the 18th and 14th ult. at Callao, of which
you have been already informed, were
but the premonitory revelations of the
great disaster that had occurred. The
sea it was known had been greatly agi-
tated, had risen to great height and
inundated part of the city, but, be-
yond driving many persons from their
homes in the terror which the fury OF
the elements is we'll calculated to inspire,
it was believed no serious disaster had
occurred. When the truth came to be
known, it was found that the whole
western coast of South America had
been visited by the most terrible earth
quake that has ever occurred, and that
eight cities, among the most important
on the coast, had ceased to exist
Many more cities are reported to have
been more or less affected, and its effects
were experienced at many points north
ward from africa to Callao, distance of
about $50 miles.
africa is the central point from which
the effects of this disaster must be trac-
ed. 1t is a seaport town of Peru. with
population of about 10000; but, though
a better landing-place than most of the
contiguous ports, owing to the heavy
surf it has always been difficult and haz-
ardous for shipping. 1t was nearly de-
stroyed by an earthquake in 1903, and
now it has ceased to exist.
About o'clock in the afternoon, in
the most mountainous part of the
country back of africa, sensation was
experienced like the collision of two
heavy masses, and from this point radi-
atcd north and south to the distances |
have already indicated, with consequent
ces as terrible as they were immediate.
Three fluctuations of the earth followed
this unseen CONFUSION of nature, and
each undulation was accompanied by a
tidal wavc-the second of greater lateral
extent :han the first, and the third
greater than the second. Before pro-
ceeding to give any account of the dis
aster in other places, it may be well to
relate all that have been able to gather
of the character and extent Of the ca
tastrophc at africa. A gentleman who
was at that place when the disaster oc-
Cured gives vivid description of the
scene. He says:
The hour was that when by custom most of the in
habants had just closed their daily labors and were
at their homes The instant the startling indications
| of an earthquake were felt there general rush
! for uncovered spaces which were reached by many
| niniured: but not by all The streets became a
scene of terror. All the houses in the city trembed
| like a person affected with the ague. Then they
surued and some of them fell to pieces with crash at
ter crash. AT this juncture, when the fluctuations
were active the earth opened i'll several places In
! LONG and almost regular lines. The assures were
from one to three inches in width. The sensation
was distinct though something was rolling under
Meath From every assure there beched forth dry
earth like dust which followed by sitting gas.
Owing to the demolition of buildings and the general
destruction of all kinds of property, and the dust
belcled forth well as that set i'll motion by the
general tunut dense cloud was formed the
city and obscured the light. Beneath the cloud was
the gas which severely oppressed every living crea
ture and would have suffocated all these if it had
fingered longer stationary than it did, which was
only about 80 seconds. The unduations three
in number. Each succeeding one was of greater
magnitude than the former When the undulati0ns
ceased the cloud of dust assembled and dispersed,
and light was restored. Then quakes at short inter
walls succeeded, as though subteranean explosions
| folyi onrSlo
from all parts of the city fled to hills amid falling
stones and timbers, which descended from swayine
walls and broadly trent buildings, just the o.
crumbling into perfect ruin. Some struck
down dead by the falling materials and others were
MANNED while all were made to stagger from side to
aide like people in state of intoXicatiOn Many OF
both sexes carried children i'll their arms, and those
who had not these carried articles of value. The
avarice of some was stronger than fear, even amid
this terrible confusion and hence there were those
who delayed to collect vauables, many of whom suf
fered for their temerty, either by the sacrifice of
their lives otherwise. As the rush for the hills
continued and stones and materials of all kinds
were falling, and houses and parts of these were
crashing, numerous people were struck down and
either killed dangerously hurt The water in the
harbor was recedng from the shore, bearing with il
all the shipping at rapid speed. Then the current
changed, and before an almost overhangng, ire
lnendous wave. the vessels came back, tossed one
way and then another, or whirled about as though
they were only floating logs, and on the very sum
nit of this immense volume of water rode the United
States steamer Wateree. The huge wave dashed
against the mole pier and shattered it all
pieces then swept from its path what was standing
of the Custom House, and almost every vestige o
the ruins of other buildings. 1t rolled over the al
ready destroyed houses of the city, and myriad
of articles afoat which eddied in every direction
while at the same time the vessels and floating ma
t,;as were forced ahead of the waves at this tim.
curling and foaming summit. Everything which i
encountered in its was swept away in in
slant. Even great masses of stone Were rolled oye
and over When the force of the wave spent
: L.. -. L. ..II.l:L L.. IL.