Public ledger. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1865-1893, 1868-09-18

far south as Talcahuano, in Chill, and
north about one hundred and fifty miles
from this place.
SO many theories are discussed con-
cerning the origin Of this catastrophe
that the Peruvian philosophers cannot fix
upon def mite point from which to argue.
None of the numerous volcanoes in the
southern portion OF the republic are
active; and it is difficult to locate the
source Of q movement that is felt at la
Psz, Bolivia, that casts huge wave over
the southern ports Of Chill, together with
those Of Callao and africa, and finally
destroys the town Of Arequipa, more
than one hundred miles from the sea.
All the reports given to the Herald in
nv last letter have been corroborated.
The cities Of Arequipa, africa, Moquegua,
Iquique, with the large towns of Sama,
Locumba, Nasca, lilo, Chala, Mexillones,
Pisagua, with large number Of smaller
ones, together with great many isolated
villages, estates and factories, are en-
tirely destroyed-by entirely is meant to
be understood that the ruin is complete,
and those buildings not demolished by
the shock received such rough handling
as to cause their immediate destruction
necessary. The loss Of life and property
cannot now be correctly estimated, nor
| will il until the exact investigations and
surveys be made by the parties appointed
| by the government here for that purpose.
II is roughly copjectured that more than
three hundred million dollars worth of
property has been destroyed, and that
more than two thousand persons have
perished from the effects of the catas-
trophe.
The evD disposed portion of the COM
munity are taking advantage of the con-
sternation which reigns supreme to com
NIT all descriptions of crime and outrage
A party of robbers penetrated into the
city at seven o'clock, night or two since,
and entering some grocery stores in the
very heart of the town, boldly commenced
their work OF pillage. In this they we're
surprised by the police, and lively mus
kerry engagement ensued, in which the
robbers. though prevented from carrying
off any booty, came out victorious, killing
two of the police and making their
escape. Several incendiary fires have
occurred, doubtless started by some
rufiians who desired to attract the atten'
ton of the public to one quarter of the
town while they rob and murder in an
other. 1t is understood that Col. Balta
has expressed his determination to inhict
severe punishment on these malefactors,
and he has given orders to the police to
kill as many as possible in any combats
which may take place, as the laws of Peru
allow no capital punishment.
The details of the loss of the United
States ships Fredonia ard Wateree have
been communicated to your correspond
ent by one of the three surviving officers
of the former. The two vessels were
lying at anchor in the bay of africa when
the first signs of the earthquake were
noticed. OF course the CONSERVATION on
board was very great, and after the shock
of the movement on shore had disap-
peared, the Captain, Surgeon and Pay
master of the Fredenia went in a small
boat to land, desiring to learn the fate of
their friends and acquaintance, and
offer the services of the ship. Just then
the tremendous upheaving of the bay
took place, and the Fredonis, parting her
anchor chains, was at the mercy of the
currents, and after driving wildly around
in circles for some moments, was dashed
literally to pieces on reef. Nothing of
the vessel was saved, and the twenty
seven men composing her officers and
crew, together with Mrs. Dyer, the wife
of the Lieutenant in command, were all
lost.
The Wateree, more securely moored,
dragged her anchors and was swept by the
great tidal wave four hundred and fifty
yards inland, about two miles north of
the ruined town. There she now lies, be-
tween two hillocks of sand, apparently
waiting for the water to restore her to her
accustomed element. 1t will be impos-
sibe to extrlcate her from her situation,
and the Admiral is hopeful only of saving
her battery and stores. The ship was
very slightly injured and lost only one
man, sailor.
The United States steamers Kearsarge,
Nyacy and Powhatan are at africa, en-
deavoring to save something from the
Wateree. The Kearsarge was the first
provisioned vessel to arrive at africa.
She came from Coquimbe.
CoBIJA, August 81, l868.-On the 18th
of August l was staying in Valparaiso,
where the air had lately been so hot and
oppressive that volcanic outbreak was
anticipated. That same day information
reached us that the sea had invaded both |
Conception and Tome, two ports in the |
south Of Chill, doing considerable dam
age to the stores and dwelling houses |
and occasioning shipwrecks. Toward |
evening of the 18th 1 left Valparaiso in |
the steamer Paita for Callao. On the |
10Th, about two o'clock in the afternoon,
we arrived in Calders, and here letters
from up North came to hand which filled |
us all with terror and CONSERVATION.
The whole west coast, as far as informa-
ton VAS then reaching, had experienced
a terrific earthquake, and in many places
had been submerged by the sea rising
above its habitual level Cobua, africa,
Islar, Mejillones, Iquique, Ito, Pisco,
Pisagus, the Chinchss, and Chsls are
said to have all been more or less suffer
ing. The brother of one of our passen.
gers came on board and congratulated
him for being safe and sound. His busi-
ness had been entirely destroyed. The
Pacific Steam Navigation Company's
steamer Santiago has escaped destruc-
ton as by a miracle. She was coming
down from Callao and on the afternoon
of the 18th found herself in the port Of
Cbala, whence her captain writes as fol-
lows:
ave we're safely anchored in the bay,
when suddenly a shock was felt which
made US all believe we had got upon a
rock. The passengers, terrified, cane
crowding around me and wanted to know
what was the matter. The next mo-
ment our craft shook and twisted as if il
bad been made of India rubber, and
almost at the same tine we were thrown