The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1868-09-13
TIE EARTHQUAKE IN PERU.

Two American Men-Of.War LOst-RepOrts
from the 4nteriOr-Lima and Callao Safe.
LIMA, August %, 1868.
On the 18th instant this unfortunate country was
visited by the most terrible earthquake that ever has
stricken horror in mems hearts. At halfpast 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 enabled many people to fee
70 the nearest elevation. A few moments after
the earth commenced to move visibly ana the mo-
ton continued for four or i've minutes, when the
shock became so severe as to destroy buildings con-
structed OF the heaviest stone and cement.
All along the southern coast the sea was terribly
agitated First the waters in the different bays and
harb0rs rose to tremendous height, and immedi-
ately following 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 80 general and SO
devastating in its eects has occurred and Lima to-
day is but an assemblage Of terror stricken and
weeping people.
Arequipa has ceased to exist. This famous city,
Of thirty-nve thousand Inhabitants, built OF the
strongest granite and OF the lava from the neghbor
ing volcano now is thing Of the past. 1t has abso
lutely been reduced to fragments. The strength Of
the buildings gave time for the population to make
hurried escape to the hills and plains In the vicinity,
and the loss Of life is estimated at about three hun
dred. All Of the soldiers in hospital and the prison.
ers confined in the jail were unable to nee and were
consequently crushed by the falling masses. Thus
has passed away the town known as lighting Are
quipa," the Virginia Of Peru and the mother Of her
Presidents. This loss s acutely felt In the capital
since the number Of persons from the destroyed city
sojournng in Lima is very great and in the excite
nent 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 de.
stroying city, has ruined many and has caused
whole country to lament 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 pre-
monitory symptoms OF the calamity gave the people
time to seek place OF safety and by this prov
dence only five hundred lives we're lost.
The bay rose like waterspout the vessels moored
there necessarily parting their anchor chains, and
then, as at ST. Thomas, a great tidal wave was
formed which, forty feet high and roaring like a
whrlwnd, precipitated itself on the devoted ships
and carried them TAR lnJO tnc Hidlnlanu.
The United States storeshp Fredonia was cap.
sized and lost in officers B. Dyer, second lieutenant;
d. organ, master; J. G. Cromwell, purser's clerk
Mr.. Stunt, secretary to the commander, and Mrs.
Dyer the wife of the lieutenant, with twenty-seven
sailors The Fredonia had nearly 81, 100000 worth
OF naval stores board which, OF course were en-
tirely destroyed. In fact the snip broken into
fragments before she reached the land, and only
those officers who were, fortunately for themselves,
on shore were saved.
The United States steamer wateree Commander
J. II. ellis was carried half mile on land and, al.
though not seriously injured, is considered by the
captain in his ofcial report as lost TO the SERVICE
the difficulties OF getting her TO the beach being al
most insurmountable. On this ship only one man,
sailor, was drowned. Lieutenant Commander John
son, OF this vessel, was shore endesvoring to
his wife and carrying her in his arms to some place
OF security, when she was struck by q portion OF
falling building and instantly killed.
The Peruvian corvette America was carried on
shore and Is much in the same condition as the
Wateree The America lost her three chief ON GERS
with thirty sailors and marines.
The American merchantmen Rosa Rivera the Eng.
lish ship Chanarcillo aud the French bark Eduardo
we're totally lost
The great force Of the upheaving OF the waters OF
the bay set these vessels all adrf with the excep.
ton Of the wateree, she dragging her anchors, and
for several moments they were in incessant collision
As said before, all the edInces in this town were
completely destroyed, and among them was the
Custom House, containing more than four millions
OF dollars worth OF goods, all Of which, OF course,
shared the same fate.
Commander Cllis after the disaster. endeavored
70 supply the wants Of the people, literally dividing
with them the limited amount Of provisions at his
command, and aiding the efforts OF the populace to
ameorate their condition. His conduct Ia very
highly spoken OF by the authorities and by his exer
lions many lives have been saved. DIT. Winslow
OF this ship, and Dr. Dubois, OF the Predonia, es.
pecally distinguished themselves.
The towns OF rquiquc, Moquegus, Locumba and
Psagua are also reduced TO ruins In the FIRST named
The rising OF the sea destroyed more lives than did
the earthquake itself ct other points over SIX hun.