The Charleston daily news. [volume] (Charleston, S.C.) 1865-1873, 1868-10-16
THE LATE EARTHQUAKES.
VIVID DESCRIPTION Or The HORRORS OF
THE SCENE.

The Lima (Peru) correspondent of the New
York Times writes under date of Septem-
ber IA:
The one absorbing topic of conversation is
the terrible destruction and loss Of property
and Of life by the earthquake up and down the
coast. Foreigners who have resided here and
in Callao for twenty-five years are now sud-
denly breaking up their business arrange
ments, and returning TO their homes in Eng
land and America. The steamers for the North
leave here crowded with people going home
to remain, and those that are left behind seem
constantly uneasy and unwilling to tarry.
Many foreign residents in Callao have moved
up to Lima, fearing that with another earth
quake the sea would come IN and destroy
the city second time. And Callao is below
the level OF the sea, aud Lima several thousand
feet above. Mr.. McColey and family (the
American consul) have taken up residence IN
Lima since the earthquake, fearing the sea
may submerge Call again. But it seems to
me as if the chances oil escape would be better
in Calao. for 1t is not thIckly settled, aud the
shocks of earthquakes are much less frequent
in Callao, and (until the last oac) have usually
been very light. Callao has been IN peace and
security often two years at a time, without any
earthquake, while Lima has been totally de-
stroyed seven times, and has on an average eight
shocks q year. 1t is also SO very thickly set
tied and so compactly built, and its streets
are so narrow, that the danger vi being crush
cd to death by the falling walls would be very
great. Lima Is also surrounded by mountains,
and earthquakes in Peru always como from
south tn north, following the chain Of noun
tains. Lima ls also much nearer the centre OF
volcanic action, being in direct line from the
interior places which are always destroyed. l
think those who endeavor to escape the dam
ger of the incoming sea at Callav, by moving
to- Lima, are only exposing themselves to
greater dangers. In any event the sad casual
ties down the coast have thoroughly frightened
everybody. and general feeling OF anxiety
prevails everywhere. Reports are constantly
arising OF fresh damages and destruction on the
coast, and from the 18th ofAueust until the pre-
sent hour. the shorks are still felt and are con-
tinuous in africa. Arequipa and vicinity, where
the ground still tremb.es and jars. In Plsco
and several smaller towns the earthquake of
the 18th entirely closed up and filled in the
springs, or wells, so that the ships lying at the
Chlncha Islands for guauo have to supply the
people OF these places with water daily. This
cutting off OF the water is felt all over the des
troyed regions, and the people are even now
dying OF thirst.
l have been permitted to read letter wit
ten by Peruvian gentleman frJm Arica, which
gives one so vivid IN idea OF the horrors OF
that night, August 13, that have ventured to
copy few lines OF it. He says
1.-The mail shock lasted ten minutes. Beasts
and birds were wild with alright, and as build
ings rocked and fell with dcafening crashes,
tho earth rose and sank like the waves OF the
troubled sea. The people, Who could not keep
their feet, uttered tIiehtful shrleks at the con-
tinued commotion, which went on increasing,
and seemed to announce the end Of the worl :.
lii. very mountains seemed to rise and iall
and totter; the whole surface Of the level land
moved and cracked like disturbed pool OF
water, and it was impossible to stand. except
o., one ran with headlon, violence. have
never witnessed anything so appalling and ter
rble and have to stop ring now in conse-
quencc of the shaking"
This letter is perfectly reliable. and Il is 70
wonder that the terrified people believed the
day of judgment had come!
1'acua has been given over hr tic authorities
and abandoned to piuE!cr. No attempt has
been made to clear up the wreck or bury the
decomposed bodies on the beach and in the
town. The commonest ncccssaries OF life are
wanting. Among the strange freaks of the
earthquake, an entire new chasm or crevice
has been opened at Guerreros, with clear
spring of running water at the bottom! The
narrowest escape / have heard OF is that OF
SenorIta Jara, of Moquequa, who was buried
up to her waist in a freshly opened crevicc OF
the earth, while running for her lite to the
hills, and was absolutely pulled from the ground
with great difficelty, though without suffering
any serious lnjuryl I think history does not
furnish parallel case of escape from terrible
death. might go on multiplying descriptions.
but the subject has become the only theme Of
conversation here, and shall be glad to speak
OF something else.