The Charleston daily news. [volume] (Charleston, S.C.) 1865-1873, 1868-09-17
THE EARTHQUAKE.
SCENES DURING TIE CONFUSION.
Graphic Accounts by Witnesses.

SCENES DURING TIE CONFUSION.
Graphic Accounts by Eye'Wttncsses.
Tn. details of the great disaster in South
America are truly appalling. Eight large cities,
among the most important on the South PA
cific coast, have ceased to exist. Many more
cities are reported to have been more or loss
affected, and tho effects of the shock were ex-
perienced at many points northward from
africa to Callao, distance Of about $50
miles, and southwark to Cobija, distan ce
of about 28O miles. We can get some
idea Of the extent Of the devastation
caused, by imagining the whole coast OF
the Atlantic, from New York to Charleston, to
be first laid in ruins by the upheaval of the
ground, and then inundated by an ocean wave
from thirty to seventy feet high and next by
supposing this calamity to be followed at an
interval OF three days by another shock, which
should PROSTATE one-half Of the buildings in
Georgia and the Carolinas. 1t is computed
that SOC, 900 persons are homeless and wander
ing throughout Peru, destitute of shelter and
food. The number of lives lostis calculated as
extending from 80, 600 to 6O,OOO. A correspon-
dent of the New York Times writes on the Oath
of August, as follows:
rBE EARTHQUAKE AT AFRICA.
africa is the central point from which the
effects of this disaster must be traced. 1t Is q
seaport town of Peru, with population o.
about thirty thousand. 1t was nearly destroyed
by an earthquake in 1905, and now IL has ceased
to exist.
most mountainous part of the country back OF
africa, sensation was experienced like the
collision Of two heavy masses, and from this
point radiated north and south to the distances
have already indicated, with consequences as
terrible as they were immediate. Three un-
duIations of the earth followed this unseen
convulslon Of Nature, and each undulation was
accompanied by tidal wave-the second OF
greater lateral extent than the first. and the
third greater than the second. correspond
ent gives the following description Of the
scene:
The hour was that when by custom most Of
the inhabitants had just closed their daily
labors and we're at their homes. The instant
the startling indications OF an earthquake we're
felt there was q general rush for uncovered
spaces, which we're reached by man, uninjur-
ed. but not by all. The streets became scene
Of terror. All the houses in the city trembled
like person affected with the ague. Then they
surged and some of them fell to pieces with
crash after crash. At this juncture, when the
undulations were active, the earth opened in
several places in long and almost regular lines.
The assures were from one to three inches in
width. The sensation vas distinct, as though
something was rolling underneath. From
every assure there belched forth dry earth,
like dust, which was followed by sti-
fling gas. When the undulations ceas-
ed, the cloud Of dust assembled and
dispersed, and light was, restored; Then
quakes at short intervals succeeded, as
though subterranean explosions or collisions
we're taking place. At this time, people from
all parts of the city fed to hills, amid falling
stones and timbers, which descended from
swaying walls and broadly-rent buildings, just
on the eve OF crumbling into perfect ruin.
Some was struck down dead bv the falling ma
terials, and others we're MANNED, while all
were made to stageer from side to side like
people in state OF intoxication.
THE SEA DESTROYS WHAT WAS SPARED BY THE
EARTHQUAKE.
The water in the harbor was now receding
rroin the shoro, bearing with II oil tho ship
ping at rapid speed. Thou the current chang
ed, and before an almost overhanging, tire.
mendous wave, the vesseis came back, tossed
one way and then another. or whirled about as
though they were only floating logs, and on the
very summit Of the immense volume Of water
rode the United States steamer Waterce. The
huge wave dashed against the stone mole or
pier, and shattered it oil to pieces, then
swept from its path what was standing Of thu
Customhouse, and almost every vestige Of the
ruins Of other buildings. 1t rolled over the al
ready destroyed houses OF tho city, aud set
myriad of articles afoat, which eddied in every
direction, while at the same time the vessels
and floating materials were forced ahead of
the waves at this time curling and foaming
summit. Everything which it encountered in
it's course was swept away in an instant.
Even great masses OF stone we're rolled over
and over. When tho force Of the wave was
spent it retired, and in short time the equili-
br1um OF the water was restored and then it oc-
cupied about the same line, and presented near
ly he same appearance as it did before the
were terrible sight. The most Of
them we're bottom upward. Their masts
had been snapped like sticks. All this
dreadful picture the refugees on tho hills
with the most marked evidences of fear, be-
cause quakes of the earth we're sill felt ut
short intervals. The Wate1ee was grounded
inland at quarter Of mile from the beach,
on the line Of railroad. AS far as hsard
from, only one life was lost on board. Near
Inc Nat6r0e IcIuflau Wdr fcS6tl WIS dIcO
grounded, and so gently that noue of Its rig
ging nor any of its tlmbers were impa;rcl. Oh
board tho Peruvian war steamer \ u;ricL,
winch is total wreck, eight, Ives were re-
ported to have been oIt The United States
storeship Fredoniawas UPSET. and all her crew
except three drowned, accordin. to report.
Those who escaped were the captain, surgeon,
and paymaster, who we're on shore when the
earthquake occurred, and sought refuge on
the hills. A British vessel, called the Cnanar-
clio, lost many of her crew, who were tumbled
overheard. A United States brig, name un-
known, was foundered with all on board. The
vessel, it is reported, was laden with guano.
The rest of the shipping destroyed were South
American coasters. The fatal casualties in the
city were about fifty, and the other casualties
about one hundred. The total loss oa ship
board was about three hundred. principally
fatal. The refugees remained on the hills for
two days, during which time thoy suffered
greatly tor food; at the same time the gu kes
continued as before at intervals. In time their
suffcrings became so intense that the males
had to 60 in search OF food a limited quantity
OF which they fOu.d in damaged condition,
and with this they succored their families. The
second morning after the earthquake iight-
draught coasting vessel entered the harbor,