Public ledger. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1865-1893, 1868-09-18
EARTHQUAKES SOUTH.
Eight Cities Destroyed Great Loss OF
Life Two American Men-0EWar
LOst-KepOrts from the Inte-
riOr-Lima and Callao safe.
From the New York Herald, 1Sth.J

1
By the arrival of the steamship Guiding
Star, from Aspinwall, we have received
full particulars of the terrible earthquake
in Peru, Chill, Ecuador, and along the
west coast of South America, on the 18th
of August. The scenes depicted by our
correspondents are of the mostappalling
character:
LIMA, August %, 1868. On the 18th
instant this unfortunate country was Wis
tied by the most terrible earthquake that
ever has stricken horror in meas hearts
At half-psst FIVE o'clock on that day, in
the cities in the southern portion of the
republic, fearful noise was heard, which
fortunately served as an alarm, and en-
abled many people to flee to the nearest
elevation. A few moments after, the
earth commenced to move visibly, and
the motion continued for four or five
minutes, when the shock became 80 Sc
we're as to destroy buildings constructed
of the heaviest stone and cement
All along the southern coast the sea
was terribly agitated. First the waters
in the different bays and harbors rose to
tremendous hight, and Immediately fol-
lowing came an enormous tidal wave,
which, in the ports not having sufficient
elevation to resist the water, destroyed
the towns and carried the shipping in
some cases half mile in shore, and left
them high and dry on the mainland. In
the memory of man, no earthquake so
general and so devastating in its effects
has occurred, and Lima, to day, is but an
assemblage of terror stricken and weep
ing people.
Arequipa has ceased to exist This
famous city, of thirty five thousand in
habitants, built of the strongest granite
and of the lava from the neighboring
volcano, now is thing of the past Il
has absolutely been reduced to fragments.
The strength of the buildings gave time
for the population to make hurried es-
cape to the hills and plains in the vicin
ity, and the loss of life is estimated at
about three hundred. All of the soldiers
in hospital and the prisoners confined in
the jail we're unable to flee, and were
consequently crushed by the falling
masses. Thus has passed away the town
known as lighting Arequipa," the Vir-
Presidents. This loss has been acutely
felt in the capital since the number OF
persons from the destroyed city sojourn-
ing in Lima is very great, and in the ex-
citement and terror of the situation, the
names Of the dead and wounded have not
been received here. Far more terrible
has been the shock than that of Lisbon,
many years ago, since this, in place of
destroying one city, has ruined many,
and has caused a whole country to la
ment and mourn.
The town of africa, one of the most
important ports of the republic, is also
only to be remembered. This town,
which contained nearly twelve thousand
inhabitants, was visited at the same time
by the same terrible phenomenon, and not
one house is left standing. Here, as in
Arequipa, the noise and premonitory
symptoms of the calamity gave the peo-
pie time to seek some place of safety, and
by this providence only five hundred lives
were lost.
The bay rose like q wsterspout, the
vessels moored there necessarily parting
their anchor chains, and then, as at St
Thomas, great tidal wave was formed,
which, .orty feet high and roaring like q
whirlwind, precipitated itself on the de-
voted ships and carried them far into the
mainland.
The United States storeship Fredonis
was capsized, and lost in officers B. Dyer,
Second Lieutenant; ID. Organ, Master;
J. g. Cromwell, Purser's Clerk; Mr..
Stunt, Secretary to the Commander; and
Mrs. Dyer, the wife Of the lieutenant,
with tweniy-seven sailors. The Fredonia
had nearly $l,s00,0O0 worth Of naval
stores on board, which, Of course, were
entirely destroyed. In fact, the ship was
broken into fragments before she reached
the land, aud only those officers who
we're, fortunately for themselves, on shore
we're saved.
The United States steamer Wateree,
Commander J. II. Gillis, was carried
half mile on land, and, although not
seriously injured. is considered By the
Captain in bis official report as lost 70
the service, the difficulties Of getting
her to the beach being almost iusur-
mountable. On this ship only one man,
= sailor, vas drowned. Lieutenant Gem
msnder johnson, Sf this vessel, vas on
shore endeavoriag 10 save his wife and
Carrying her in bis arms to some place
Of security, when she was struck BY q
portion Of falling building and instantly
killed
The Peruvian corvette America vas
carried on shore, and is much IN The sane