The native Virginian. [volume] (Orange Court House, Va.) 1867-187?, 1868-09-18
EARTHQUAKE IN SOUTH AMERICA.

causing immense loss OF life and great
destruction of property in Peru and
Ecuador. 1t is computed that 100000
persons are homeless and wandering
throughout Peru, destitute of shelter
and food. The number of lives lost is
calculated as extending from 10000 to
10000. Advices from Ecuador repre-
sent that the towns of Ibarra, San Pa
bio, Atuntaqui, Cotacachl and Imantad
are in ruins. In lbarra, Otovala and
Cotacacachi almost the entire popula-
ton have persisted. A correspondent
of the New York Times writes from
lima, on the oath of August, as follows:
Arequipa, the most beautiful city in
Peru, was completely overthrown by
the earthquake of the 18th. 1t was sol
idly built of stone, and contained about
$4,000 inhabitants. Without eXaggera-
ton | may say that not one stone has
been left upon another. Not church
is left standing, not house is halitable.
The solidity of the buildings enabled
them to resist the first shocks, and gave
time tn the Inhabitants to escape to the
streets and squares, but was not sufti-
cient to arrest the continued violence of
the earthquake. The number of per-
sons buried beneath the ruins was a.
bout 200.
Tim earthquake commenced with an
undulating movement, and us the shock
eliminated no one could keep his feet;
the houses rocked like ships in the
trough of the sea, and came crumbling
down. The shrieks of the women and
the crash of falling masonry; the up
heaving of the earth and the clouds of
binding dust made up scene of terror
that cannot be described. Nineteen
minor shocks took place the same night,
and at latest accounts the earth Still
continued in motion. The earth has
opened in all the plains around the city,
and water has appeared in various
places.
The neiohborhood of Tiabaya and
Sabandia and all the outlets of tile beau
tifnl civ have shared her lot,
The city of Iouioue, the most impor-
tant place in Southern Peru, was almost
totally DESTROYED. A few minutes after
SIP, H., on the 18th instant, the inhabi-
tants were terrified by loud subterran.
can noises. pre- saying the approach of
an earthquake. The Shock immediate
ly followed. Every building was shak-
en- to its foundation. The population
rushed into the streets. and those who
were not buried by the falling walls
made their escape into the country with
all speed. Had they remained in the
CITY the entire population must have
perished. as Immediately on the passing
of the first shock the sea retired for
some distance and then returned with a
great rush and a roaring sound more
terrible than the loudest thunder. The
wave was of dreadful height and force.
completins the ruin begun bv the earth
has escaped. nor does a yestIoe remain
ton of the town. The massive build
inps belonging to the nitrate merchants,
mostly constructed of stone and lime.
have entirely disappeared. BUILDINGS
constructed of timber were swept away
AT once. leaving nothing to mark the
place where theY stood.
The inroad made by the sea extended
TO the Pantera. part of which was cover
ed bv the wave. and that section of the
town known by the name of the Pun
tella has been entirely DESTROYED. leay-
ing nothing but the debris of hummer
able houses,
Since the occurrence of the 18th re-
peated shocks have been felt, although
of a milder nature. The inhabitants
filled with CONSERVATION, retired on the
incursion of the sea, and cannot be pre-
vailed upon to return to the town.
The fiourishino citv africa. through
which the greatest part of our commerce
| with the neiehboring republic of Bolt
via flowed, and which was the most pic.
iurcSque OF oui ports. AFTER having been
uestroyed oy the eartnJuake, was %
l, .t uy .ne sea. lhele, as III tiie
othei .oWns Vii .ne oolse, tiie water, al
yer having retlreu 10 great distance,
leil WIN rrresIsV'o,e i1lce on .ile runs
Oh tne puiidihgs' anu mas lelt u s'lu ana
siieiiI peacn; Mhele ~. 4 shorC Viiiie pe-
lore re-, was act,sity anu nc. ,s
Inc porI oi Cnaia' ABOUT nan way De,
tween Nallao anu iqulque, sunerea
great uaIliase, che havoc continuing ior
anout iorIy -hVe minutes, AT inc mo
ment the steanlsnil, oahtlaSo was ABOUT
10 ahchor, alter shock which was ieit
very sensiDiy on ooard, the sea re eded.
parting Inc ciaih OF the Vessel, ana OIL
she compahy's huiK, at anchor IN the
roadsteau, ana eheh returned at a height
OF ABOUT hlty ieee, covering the rocks
ABOUT the anchorage ana IN the harDor
anu sweeping up INTO tne Town ior 1ne
distance oil over one Thousand ieet. Inc
custom-house' steamship agency, mole
and everything within range was swept
kaway by thee successive seas. preceded
and followed by as many as twelve
shocks OF earthquake, each lasting from
Three seconds to two minutes i'll dura-
tion.
OTHER CITIES.
o., 49, and ,n'vnrIs 81 ~ b,n "I.
,,or go Rave ,apr;s,,od rha trorrns ~
T;aboma Vitor NoIiiendo and Mia and
ali H." tbs VILLAGES within one hunJy'.d and
fifty miles are totally destroyed.