Green-Mountain freeman. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1844-1884, 1868-10-21
The Earthquake in South America.

Later and more detailed accounts of the
earthquakes OF August in South America
represent the destruction az even more ter
rible than was stated in the first hasty re-
ports. In q section of country more than
1900 miles long and 100 wide, repeated
violent shocks have literally left hardly one
stone upon another. The city Of Lima, with
its port, has in some measure escaped. All
else is ruin, desolation and despair. Not
only are the people houseless, but their crops
are ruined and their stores of provision dcs-
troyed. To add to the horrors yellow fever
and cholera have set in and threaten the
miserable remnant. We are glad TO see that
large contributions Of money and food are
being sent forward from New York and San
Francisco, and never was such charity more
needed
We give some interesting details from 8
correspondent OF the New York Tunes
1T the time Of the earthquake. Aug. 18th,
there were premonitory symptoms in the
atmosphere, no unusual meteorological phe-
nomena to indicate the sudden cOnyulsion
The heat was not oppressive, and the OFdi-
nary serenity 0T q tropical afternoon pre-
vailed on sea and shore. The United States
steamer Nateree, douDle-ender carrying
tH elge guns. and the tredOnia anchored of
the town. The former Was, during July
last, ordered to proceed from Callao to Ariea,
on account Of the yellow fever, which then
ragged violently III the former place. She
took in tow the storeship Fredonia, the lat
ter being an old vessel used as etoreship
during our war with Mexico. Since that
period she has been On the South Pacific
station and before the earthquake che was
absolutely falling to pieces.
At two bells-j o'ciOCk-Cn the afternoon
I Of Aug. 10Th, the officers and crew Of the
Wateree, then lying at anchor about half
mile from the mole, were startled by sud
den vibratOry motion Of the vessel, followed
+ by rushing sound ike the roaring Of a dis
tant cataract. Some on board had experienced
the like before. and the astounding intelli
sence was at once hcralded fore and aft that
an earthquake was imminent. Presently n
second shock. more distinct than the frat.
and rOtatOry in it's nature, made itself felt
! in every timber from stem to stern. The
horrid truth was apparent 10 all and, as
- self preservation IS the first law of nature,
every one became anxious for his own safety.
All hands were called, and the utmost con-
sternation was visible in every countenance :;
hut the confusion and disInay 20 be expected
in such an emergency happily kept in
allegiance by the calm energy Of the executive
officer, who rose superior to these awful cir
cumstances, and communicated something of
his own sterling intrepi'iity to every man on
board Both anchors were let go, and every
iathom Of chain run ont. Life-lines were
made fast about the decks, and the men Of
the ships company We're ordered TO secure
themselves in every possible manner.
The surface of the water, hitherto un-
ruffled. now became violently agitated, and
the waters were lashed into the widest fury.
The vibratory motion became almost con
tinuous and gradually more forcible. The
momentary agitation of the sea was sue
ceeded by sudden recoil Of the whole vast
body Of water from the shore. The return
ing tidal wave came rolling on like devour-
ing fend, with force sufficient to overturn a
mountain. 1t was q spectacle combining the
terrific and sublime.
The Fredonia fell to pieces like rope OF
sand, and her ribs and boats and spars and
crew were hurled into one mass of wild con-
fusion against the neighboring shore. Many
Of the crew of this fated ship sought safety
by clambering into the tops. With one fell
crash the foremast was snapped in twain and
the luckless topmen were engulphed in the
wild maelstrom. The beaten shore, strewn
with dead bodies and the elements of the
wreck, indicated alone that such ship had
once existed. The Captain. Paymaster
Surgeon, and two of the crew had previously
gone on shore, and thus narrowly escaped.
The Wateree, compact and trustworthy
by the superior management of the officer
then in command, was kept with her head
TO the sea. She dragged both her anchors
many times her own length, and at each
successive return of the sea was propelled
further on shore. Her crew clung TO the
, life-lines and rigging, and entertained higt
hope as long as the good ship stuck together
, But the boats were all swept away at one
dash, and completely shattered At one