The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1871-06-05
GREAT EARTHQUAKE In CHINA.
Immense Destruction Of Property in the
Province of SZchuen.
Nearly TWenty.three Hundred Persons Crushed
by the Falling Buildings.
WASHING TON, June 4, 1871.

WASHING TON, June 4, 1871.
Our Minister in China, Governor Low, has for.
warded to the Secretary of State the folio wing
translation OF report OF the great earthquake In
Bathang, made by the Chinese Governor General Of
the province IN which it occurred
EARTHQUAKE AT BATHANG. IN szCHUEN.
have asccrrained that Bathang lies on very ele-
waited spot beyond the borders OF the province about
post stations from the district town OF Ta-tsien, on
The nigh road to Tibet About eleven O'Clock A. M.
on the nth Of April, 1870, the earth trembled so
violently that the government offices, temples,
graEarles, stone and store houses and lortcatlons
with all the common dwellings, and the temple OF
Tingn, were ut once overthrown and ruined The
only exception the hall in this temple grounds,
called Ta-chaO, which stood unframed In its isola-
ton. few OF the troops and people escaped, but
INMATES WE'RE CRUSHED AND KILLED
under the falling timber and stone. Flames also
winds drove ao0ut until the heavens we're darkened
with smoke, and their roaring was mingled with the
the flames were beaten down, but the rumbling
noises were stiil heard under ground like distant
thunder, and the
EARTH ROCKED AND ROLLED
ike snip In storm at the mercy OF the waves
ane multiplied miseries OF The afflicted inhabitants
were increased by thousand fears; but In about
to cease.
The grain collector at Bathang says that for seye.
raj days before the earthquake the water had over
Moved the dyke. but alter It the earth cracked In
many places and black ietld water spurted out In
stanty followed, Just as Is the case with the salt
wells and fire well Tin the eastern part OF the pro-
vinces), and this explains how 1t happened that fire
followed the earthquake in Bathang.
AS nearly as is ascertained there were destroyed
two large temples, the Offices of the collector Of
grain tax. the local magst ate and the Colonel the
Ilng.in temple and nearly 700 fathoms OF wall
around II, and 351 rooms In all inside; six
smaller temples, numbering 221 rooms besides
1,sis rooms and houses OF the common people. The
number OF people, soldiers and lamas
KILLED BY THE CRASH WAS 1898,
among whom were the local magistrate and his
second In ONCE. The earthquake extended from
Bathang eastward to Pang cnah. muh, westward to
Nantun, on the south TO Lin-tsah-shih and on the
north to the salt wells Of A-tumtsz, circuit of over
400 miles. 1t occurred simultaneously over the
whole OF this region. In some places
STEEP HILLS SPLIT AND SUNK
into deep pits; III others, hills on level spots became
preClp1tous cliffs, and the roads and highways were
rendered impossible by distractions.
The people were beggared and scattered tlike
autumn leaves, and this calamity to the people Of
Bathang aud vicinity was really one Of the most DIS
tresslng ana destructive that has happened. The
Governor General twice memoralized the Emperor
respecting 1t, who granted aid to relieve the misery
reopen the roads between the post houses and re-.
buld or repair the Offices and dwellings, as they
we're needed. Many are now resuming their occu-
pations, and The roads are everywhere passable