Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1868-01-03

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.Nonoagaheld to a friend in Yonkers, written |
from St. Cruz shortly after the earthquake
You will be somewhat startled to learn from |
this that the UonoHgahelq lies at this time high
and dry on the Island Of st. Cruz.
We had Just finished dinner on the afternoon
Of the 18th Nov, and with several others had |
gone, As usual, to have our accustomed SMOKE
on the fOrecaste, when we were suddenly startled
by loud rambling noise and violent shaking |
ii the shin from stem to stern Our first thought
was some accident in the engine room, or some
damage to the boilers The men below decks
rrlshci up in dreadful CONSERVATION, some run
ming TO the sides Of the ship to throw themselves
into the sea, and all apparently confounded with
the noise and agitation, so strange and unac-
countihle At that moment Cne Of our officers;
who was looking toward the land, exclaimed ;
1T Is an earthquake There goes the tower OF
the English Church - But just then all was
quiet again. We thought our danger past
when now, seemingly in second-tor so rapid
" did all these things happen, that we could not
note the time-l saw large httboat, which was
anchored shor, distance ahead Of Us, going at
tremendous speed directly on TO the land,
and our own vessel simultaneously settled upon
the bottom Of the bay, from which every inch OF
water had disappeared
The chain 10 which our anchor was attached
brought up with violent Jerk, we Immediately
let out more which ran with Il fearful velocity
until the whole length Of 1870 flthoms was run
ont in less time than it takes TO tell it. As our
chain was going out, we swung nearly all the
WAY round. and were thus being fast driven on
Ia the shore Our position now was frightful
certain death seemed imminent. We were an
cbored about a quarter Of a mile from the land
in five athoms Of water. but with the lapldlty OF
thought all this water had receded from under
Ms the shin had carcened over, and fast
aground ON a bottom which seemed also fast
sinking beneath Us. At this moment one Of the
men aloft in the rigging sung out: My God
look, look out to sea- There, about three
miles from land, We saw perfectly solid wall OF
water coming directly toward the ship, and
threatening to carry everything before it into If
retrieyahle destruction. Ii was about 20 feet IN
height. and extended the whole length Of the
island You will not wonder that for moment
a fearful panic should have paralyzed some Of
the men. but it is no more than simple justice TO
say that at that awful moment the majority OF
the crew were cool and collected, obeying every
order quietly and with alacrity, though expect
inc in a very few moments TO be overwhelmed IN
the impending destruction. Most proyidentally,
however, before the sea struck us, the water had
deepeucd under us sufficiently TO float the shd
again Had il not been for this, nothing could
have saved US. 1t came first upon our quarter,
and turned Us hr0adside to it, then lifted us
bodily and rushed us IN shore at a speed past all
reckoning When the sea reached Us, We were
still lying on our port side, hut the sudden
shock sent US nearly as much upon our starboard
side indeed, we came within an ace OF going on
our beams end on that side. If We had done so,
the ship and all hands would most certainly
have been lost.
Following Immediately behind this wave were
two others not quite large, yet very nearly SO.
Each one Of these as in turn it struck the ship
made her tremble in all her joints. Already We
were on the inland side Of the street which runs
parallel with the water. and the action Of these
consecutive waves was first TO draw us back
little IN the recession, and then to impel for
ward again and land Us upon a bed Of coral just
opposite to the hotel from which I am now writ
ing. We passed over a long row Of sheds, which
We helped the sea TO knock down, and then di-
rectly in front Of the second story windows Of
houses upon the street, within which We could
distinctly hear, as We went along, the heartrend-
ing screams Of the unfortunate women and chill
dren who had not had time to make their
cape.
1t is most curious that, notwithstanding all
the hard knocks and sudden jerks through which
we passed, not a single spar was lost The rifle
gun upon the forecastle was forced from It's fas-
Jennings upon the first lurch, and lost overheard,
carrying one Of the crew with it, who, however,
was fortunately rescued. One man jumped over
board and at once disappeared, and three who
were in the boat at the time were also drowned.
Just as soon as we were firmly landed the crew
made a rush for the side Of the ship, and began
to scramble down to the ground upon ends Of
rope, or whatever they could lay their hands
upon. This was soon stopped, however, and l
was detailed to 60 ashore and bring back the
runaways. | found that quite a number Of them,
in their rapid descent, were badly burned, and
some almost fayed alive. One poor fellow, when
he was about half way down, fell and broke both
legs, which have since been amputated.
We are now busily employed in getting every
thing out of the ship to Tighten her, She is
not materially injured, and if the weather is
clear and pleasant, and no more earthquakes,
it is thought she can be got afloat again
The people on shore are completely demoral-
led This Is about the first real earthquake
that they have ever felt They have had before
only slight treinblings. Nearly all the popula-
ton have deserted their houses, and living in
tents made ont Of sails and awnings which have
been sent to them from our ship. In the largest
tent are gathered all the elite Of the town, and
We take turns in mounting guard over them
every night. They are, As you may well imagine,
dreadfully frightened, and fancy fresh shocks
at every sound. And We are constantly having
shocks-nothing like that Of Monday last, but
still now and then a rather lively one. among
the rest. The danger, l presume, is over, as
We have had a change Of weather. 1t rained
yesterday, and those who know the habits Of
earthquakes say that there are no shakinrs after
a rain. The negroes are most horribly frighten-
ed They crowd together in heaps, and on the
slightest CULVER Of the ground they commence
to scream, sing, and pray. As soon as it is
dark they begin one long, loud vail, which
they keep up steadily all night long 1t is
necessary to have strong patrol force TO keep
those from the country out Of the town. This
chance for pillaging is good and they come in
in shoals 10 Iansack the deserted houses for
anything that can be carried off We have been
obliged to fire on them ut times, SO desperate
and determined are they in their intent to
plumber. 1t VIII I've curious experiment in
engineering to float the Monongahela again;
and if | am detailed to remain here | shall be
able to profit by what would not probably be
ever witnessed again. Still, it is believed it
and will be done.
The houses in St. Cruz are terribly shattered
many viii have to be pulled down and rebuilt
The hotel from which | am writing is so badly
cracked that another even slight shock would
tottle it over. | cannot say too much in praise
Of the inhabitants-their hospitality is bounded