The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1872-06-19
TalcahuanO, Conception and Juan Fer
Eandez, Valparaiso and Callao.
THE HONE OF ROBINSON CRUSOE.
Horrors of the Grave Yards
OF Santiago.
A FIRST VIEW OF THE ANDES
Scientific Scrapings from the Ocean Bed, Botanic
Grubbings from the Land, and savant
Clippings from Old Stones

UNITED STATES COAST SURVEY STEAMER HAssLER,l
VALPARAISO, Chile, May IL, 1872. !
1t was late in the afternoon OF April II when we
reached our anchorage in Conception Bay opposite
the little town of Talcahuano. We had been look
ing forward for long time to our arrival at this
port the first one after many weeks spent either
at sea or in wild, savage regions where we could
expect to receive letters from home or enjoy the
pleasures OF civilization, and where many OF our
party hoped to see old acquaintances and renew old
friendships. 1t was lovely afternoon, and as we
rounded Tumbes Heights and stood in the harbor-
the finest on the western coast OF South America
seemed especially attractive, partly from its ntrin-
sic beauty and partly, doubt, from our personal
antcipations and from the historic interest at
tached to many OF the points presented
to our view. The bay is about six miles
long by four wide, containing one large
island and few shoals, but affording
well sheltered anchorage ground at nearly every
point. Talcahuano is situated at its southwest an
gle, and we steamed toward 1t near the western
shore, along which range OF hills eight hun
dred or one thousand feet high, continuous with
those lining the coast for many hundreds OF miles,
their rounded slopes being apparently well culti-
waited To the east we could see the towns OF Tome
and Pence as clusters OF white dots at the foot OF
green hill Sides and ahead the low houses and soil
tary spre of Talcahuano began to draw into view
as we neared our destination. The whole scene
was very quiet and peaceful, but 1t was the arena
In which had occurred, on more than one OCCASION
terrible contest OF the elements. About GEN.
fury and half ago the seaport and capital OF the
province Of Conception was situated at the point
where the little village OF Pence now nourishes
1t was
ONCE OVERWHELMED BY AN EARTHQUAKE WAVE.
a ND in ITO
similar manner. After these two caamities the
site OF the town was removed to the right bank Of
the River Bio-BiO, about nine miles from Talca-
huano which became Its seaport, and the present
city occupies the same position period, II not OF
quiet, at least Of comparative, security followed
these disasters until on the Goth Of February 1885,
CONFUSION occurred, which rivalled its predeces-
sors In destructive effects and which is still spoken
OF with horror by many who witnessed IL. On the
morning OF that day great numbers OF sea fowl
were seen to pass over the city towards the inte-
rior, and it was noticed that the majority OF the
mongrel homeless curs usually abundant in the
streets, had left the vicinity. These facts seem to
have been recorded by credible and reliable OBJ
servers, and have since been regarded as indicative
OF the premonition OF these creatures in
some incomprehensible way OF the approach
Of danger. little before noon q slight
shock was felt almost simultaneously in Concep-
cion and Talcahuano, but gave little alarm to a
majority OF the inhabitants, accustomed to almost
daily evidence OF the instability OF the crust on
which they were living. 1t soon, however in
creased terribly in violence, buildings waved and
tottered, individuals unable to stand upright
the heat became stining, dust arose in binding,
smOthering clouds, and in few minutes both cities
were in ruins hardly half dozen houses remaining
intact At Talcahuano nearly the whole popula-
ton sought refuge on the hills from the wave,
which they rightly anticipated as a result OF the
shock. The sea had retired, until vessels which
had been anchored in seven fathoms OF water were
aground, and every rock and shoa In the bay was
exposed. In little while an enormous mass OF
water was seen rushing in from the ocean through
the narrow passage between Quiriquina Island and
the western shore, uprooting trees on the bank 8,
tearing ships from their anchorage and finally over
whelming the town. IL soon receded, carrying
with 1t everything not buried beneath the ruins,
and leaving the vessels again aground. 1t was
succeeded by second and then by a third,
augmenting In size and violence. Two immense
waterspouts followed by whirlpools, were seen in
the bay, which became black and sulphurous
thousands OF dead fish were thrown ashore; gas
and water boiled up and escaped In the midst Of
the town, and these disturbances continued UNTIL
as described by Captain Fitzroy and Mr.. Darwin,
they ceased as though from actual exhaustion.
This earthquake was felt at all points between
Chloe and Copiapo and Juan Fernandez and Men,
doza During the next two weeks more than three
hundred distinct shocks were experienced by those
who remained the spot, endeavoring to rebuild
their fallen habitations or seeking for lost treas
ures, either carried out to sea or buried beneath
heaps OF rubbish. II was many years before the
traces OF this disaster removed, though since
then another interval OF calm has followed. Such
were the events which had
OCCURRED WITHIN FORTY YEARS
IN the locality where q placid eXpanse OF water,
sunny hill sides, fertile fields and luxurant forests
seemed to deprecate any association, even I'm our
thoughts, with scenes OF violence and destruction
AS soon as we dropped anchor we received the Gus
tomary visit OF inquiry and inspection then Others
not customary unfortunately, reunitng friends and
relatives after long separation, and then the ar
rival OF our man bringing nothing but good news
and plenty OF II, completed the pleasure of the ,lay
We were detained az that port fortnight while
necessary TO have new reversing quadrant cast
IN place OF the one which had broken while
we were In the straits. IL gave us a very welcome
opportunity OF becoming acquainted with the sur
rounding country and OF prosecuting the usual scien
t6c work, and in the latter direction much more
w?s done than had been anticipated. A vacant
dwelling was secured as the headquarters OF the
scientific corps at cost which would seem ridicu-
lousy snail In the states ana our apparatus Tor
taken there. scarcely was IL known what were the
articles desired by Professor Agassiz when every
ider-and there are ma1y-every scho0l-boy who
could escape his task, every old, decrepit dame who
could hobble about, every lazy hallbreed or tpsy
wa.erman-in fact, every one who ordinarily had
no visible occupation constituted himself an at
tache OF the Professor, and he and his assistants
were
HARDLY ABLE TO WALK THE STREETS IN PEACE,
so beset were they with importunate caterers to
the museum Of comparative zoology. AT first, in
consequences OF the novelty OF the traffic, the prices
asked were iabuious, but eager competition and
abundant supplies soon brought them to normal
level and great numbers OF specimens OF all kinds
were secured. rhe town OF Talcahuano has one prn-
cpal street parallel to the shore OF the bay row
Of offices for public business, which 'front.' on fine
mole; a church, a plaza and railroad depot. The
houses are all OF one story and In the form OF
hollow square, having In the centre courtyard
on which most Of the rooms open. Those OF the
lower classes built by mailing rows OF states on
both sides OF posts set In the ground ming IN be-
teria, and plastering the outside with mud, or in
some cases with stucco The frequency OF earth
hoo hal