Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1873-04-23
THE SAN SAL EADoR EARTHQUAKE.

THE SAN SAL HADOR EARTHQUAKE.
Full dispatches and letters confirm the re-
port of the destruction Of San Salvador in
Central America on the 10Th of March, by a
fearful earthquake. A correspondent of the
New York Tribune under date of the 23d
writes as follows:
"Wthin the past fifteen days this republic
has. been visited by the most affecting series
of calamities it has experienced since the des-
truction Of the Capital in 1864. The chief
city again lies in ruins, and most of the out
living towns and villages within distance of
20 miles have suffered serious injury if not
entire devastation. Another of the great con-
vulsions to which the region has been periodi-
cally subject since its original settlement, has
given fresh proof of the fatal insecurity of the
site which the authorities persist in maintain
ing for their seat of government, by render
ing 10000 people absolutely homeless, de-
priving vast masses of all their ordinary
means of subsistence, inf1cting material loss
es which are estimated at not less than five
millions of dollars, and causing painful,
though, owing to fortunate circumstances, not
an extensive sacrifice of human life.
San Salvador, above all others on this con-
tinsnt, is the city Of earthquakes. Previous
to this last calamity, it had been eight times
overthrown, and on many other occasions so
shattered that its reconstruction has seemed
like . willful defiance of natural laws which
have been established by repeated demonstra-
tons. Perhaps no other place affords such
definite and perpetual evidence of the exist
ence of uncontrolled forces which may at any
moment break out in wild disturbance. 1t is
encircled by volcanoes, and the dangerous ma
ture of the soil is shown by the fact that vio-
lent blows, or the rapid passage Of horses
over the surface, make distinct echoes or
hollow reverberations. In the silence of the
night a strange murmurng sound. like that of
the bubbling of heated water, is almost al
ways audible. Animals, whose instincts in
such matters appear more acute than
those Of human beings, are frequently
excited to manifestations Of alarm, which in
some cases serve as valuable warnings. In
the early part of the present month an I'M
usual indication of this kind was observed.
During the night of the Sd, the cattle in the
neighborhood not only showed extreme un-
easiness, but i'll many cases broke from their
fastenings and ran eagerly about, as if seek
ing safety. Herds of mules stampeded in
confusion, and startled the inhabitants with
the expectation Of some untoward events.
About 2 o'clock on the morning Of the 4th
succession of sharp earthquake shocks drove
everybody into the streets, but it was found
upon examination by daylight, that no disas-
tiers of q serious character had occurred with
10 the city. Though the walls OF many
houses were cracked, only a few were actual
ly leyeled. Some of the villages in the
neighborhood suffered much more severe
ly, but the general effect was only such
as to produce feeling of anxiety for the flu
ture and to compel degree of watchfulness
and caution to which the extremely moIer-
ate subsequent loss of life may happily
be attributed. A necessity for very prompt
action, however, appeared to be felt in every
quarter. Great numbers of the citizens, in
fact all who were able to do so, removed their
families and household goods beyond the limits
of the city. Those who remained in the capt.
tai, for the most part, encamped in tents in
the public square or similar open spaces, and
the houses were, to a great extent, deserted.
1t is stated by persons who carefully watched
the progress Of the phenomenon that fifty
Two Distinct movements were counted within
eight hours after 2 o'clock on the morning of
the Ath. For fifteen days subsequently all
was comparatively tranquil, although the anx-
ietes OF the public remained unalayed and
certain signs, familiar to the experienced, |
gave testimony that additional and possibly
greater peril was to be apprehended.
on tue morning OF the 10Th, at nearly the
same hour as That when the first shocks were
ZEN, the catastrophe came. Two vibrations
of considerable sharpness aroused the nnYn |
lace, and presently third movement ar az.
ries Of movements, began, the length and VIC.
lence 0f which were unprecedented in the
memory of all who endured them. 1t is i'm.
possible 70 describe the terror which for few
moments held the entire community under its
control. The angry subterranean crash and
roar, the sickening jar and swell of the earth's
surface, the appalling chaos of trembling
ruins. and the outcries of anguish and trepi-