New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1868-09-14
EARTHQUAKE in SOUTH
AMERICA.


TOTALLOSs OF THE UNITED STATES oIEAhLNs
wATEREE AND FREDONIA-A LARGE NUM-
I.yR OF THEIR CREWS ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS
ALLELED DISASTERS.
tFROM ORR OWN CORRESPONDENT
p,N.NA Sert 4-The most terrible earthquake
h,t e-or occnrred ON the coast of South America
tool ,,lace ON tho 18th ult. At first but little
kno,n Of the dreadful catastrophe that had visited
with deadly effect nearly every city on the coast.
The events of the 18th and 18th ult at CallaO, of
which you have been already informed, were but
the promOntOy revelations OF the great disaster that
had occurred. The sea it was known had
been greatly agitated, had risen 10 a great
hight aud inundated a part of the city,
bat beyond driving many persons from their homes
III the terror which the fury of the elements is well
calculated to inspire, 1t was believed no serious dis
aster had occurred. When the truth came TO be
known il was found that the whole western coast of
South America had been visited by the most terrible
earthquake that has ever occurred, and that eight
cities among the most important on the coast, had
ceased 10 exist. Many more cities are reported TO
have been less affected, and It's effects were
experienced al many points nor,hward from AREA to
Ca!lao distance of about TO miles, and southwark
10 Cobija distance OF about 80 miles.
AIica is the central point from which the effects of
this disaster must be traced. 10 seaport town OF
Peru With a population of about $1,000; but. though
abetter londiug-paCe than most of the contiguous
ports owing to the heavy surf it has always been
difficult aud hazardous Tor shipping. il was nearly
destroyed by an earthquake IN 1906 and now 1t has
ceased 10 exist
About O'Clock in the afternoon in the most
mountainous part of the country back of AREA
sensation was experienced like the collision OF two
heavy masses, and from this point radiated north
nnG seEi to the distances have already indicated
with consequences terrible as they were immedi-
ate Three fluctuations Of the earth followed this
unseen conyulsion of nature, and each undulaton
was accompanied by a tidal wave-the second of
gresil la.ora extent than the first and the third
greater than the second. Before proceeding TO give
any accoant of the disaster in other places it be
well to relate al that have been able to gather OF
the character and extent OF the catastrophe at africa
gentleman who was at tha, place when the disas-
Ter occurred gives a vivid description Of the
lie SAYS:
The hour was that when by custom mos Of the nhab-
itans had just closed their daily labos ana their
homes Tao instant the startling indications % an earth
quake were felt there q general rush FOR uncovered
spaces which were reached by many unniured but not
by all TIC streets became scene of terror. All the
houses in the city tremaled Ike person affected with
the Then they surged, and OF them fell to
pieces with crash after crash. AT this juncture when
The fluctuations active the earth opened IN severa!
places long and almost regular lines. The assures
were from one to three inches width The sensation
was distinct as though something was rolling under
Meath From every ssure there belched forth dry earth
ike dust which was followed by sitting gas. owing
to the demolition Of buildings and the general desruc
OF all kinds Of property and the dust beched forth
as well a. that set in motion by the general tumult,
dense formed the city aud Obscured the
light Beneath the cloud the gas, which severely
oppressed every living creature and would have sufo-
Gated all these had fingered longer stationary than 1t
did which only about 80 seconds. The fluctuations
were three III number Each succeeding one was Of
greater magnitude than the former When the undula
lions ceased the cloud Of dust assembled and dispersed
and gat restored Then Quakes at snort intervals
succeeded as though subtouanean explosions or COLI
lions taking place Al this time, people from all
parts the city Ned 20 hills amid falling stones and tim
hers which descended from swaylhe walls ana broadly
rent buildings Just the OF crumbng into perfect
ruin Some were struck down dead by the falling ma
terlas and others were maned, while all made 70
sasgeT from side 70 side like eope ID state OF mtox
cation. Many Of both carried children IN their
arms and those who had not these carried articles OF
value Tie ayarice Of stronger than fear even
amid this terrible confusion and hence there were those
who daed to collect valuables many Of whom suffered
FOR temety either by the sacrifice Of Their lives or
otherwise As the rush FOR the hills continued AMI stones
and materials Of all kinds falling, and houses and
parts of these crashing numerous people we're
struck down and either killed dangerously hurt The
water In the hafbOr now reeedng from the shore
bearing with t all the shipping al rapid speed Then
The current changed. ami before an almost oveTangng
Tremendous waFe vessels came back tossed one way
ard then another or Whred about as though they were
only floating 0gs. and on the very summit OF this i'm
ncnsc volume rode the United states steamer
wateree The huge wave dashed against the stone mole
OF pier and Shattered IL all TO pieces then sWcps from
ats path what was standing of the Custom House aud al
most every yestige OF the ruins OF other buildings III
rolled over the already destroyed houses Of the city and
set uivrad Of articles afOat which eddied III every oil
secon while at time the vessels and floating
materials were forced ahead Of the waves at this time
curling and foanlug summit. Everything which 10 en-
countered in its course was swept away in instant.
Even great masses Of stone rolled and over.
When force Of the spent II retired, ana III
short time tie equilibrium oil the water was restored
and then occupied about the line and presented
nearly the appearance as il did before the earth
quake. Tie vessels carried inland terrible sight
The OF them bottom upward. Their masts mad
been snapped IKE sticks All this dreadful picture the
refugees tho hills beholding Many OF them
did with the most marked evidences OF fear because
quakes Of the earth sill felt at short intervals The
waeree grounded inland at quarter Of mile from
the beach. on the line OF q railroad. As far
As heard from ouly lik lost on board.
Near the Wateree, Peruvian vessel also
grounded AID gently that OF rigging any
Of It's tiinbeis were impaired On board the Peruvian
war-s:eamer America, which Is a total wreck 80 lives
were reported have been lost The United States store
shp Fredonia was upset aud all her except three
drowned according TO report. Those who escaped
The captain surgeon and paymaster who Were OH shore
when the earthquake occurred and sought refuge on the
hills Brit sh vessel called The Chanarcllo lost many OF
her crew who wero tunlbed overheard. United states
brg name mix o yn, foHndered with ali ON board
The vessel 10 sIep rted laden with guano The resi-
Of the shipping destroyed were South American coasters