The Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1877-1885, 1877-06-11
TELEGRAPHTC
Photographed to the RockIsland ArOu. !
Destruction by Earthquake and riaal
Wave of Nav 9th


New YORK, June 1.-THE Star and
Herald of Panama, received today. has
details of the disaster and destruction
caused on the south Pacific coast by earth
quake and tidal wave of Nav 9. The
towns of Africa, Iquiqne, Pinta de Labos.
Pabellon de Plea, Chanavaya, Huanillas,
Tocopllla, Antofagasta and Chanaralal.
are nearly all destroyed. About 600 lives
were lost: The destruction of Pabelion is
estimated at $20,00O,0OO, confined mostly
to the coast, although the town of Tarapaca,
twenty three leagues inland, and the
villages of Picamatilla and Cauchones, far
interior, were more or less ruined The
shipplng OF Guano from southern deposits.
Will De indefinitely suspended, as all facili-
ties III the way of launches, chutes,
Wharves, water condensers and buildings
OF all kinds have been swept away. The
destruction of and damage to shipping has
been very great, and it was attended by
very serious loss of life.
The remainder OF the account is only
tor the most part an ampli6cation of what
has already been telegraphed of the dis :
aster. 1t is stated, however, that at
Iquique, fire from lamps, which exploded
at every earthquake shock, mingled with
the sea waves. which rushed in huge
volume over the part of the town, rem
dered the destruction complete. What
the earthquake left the fire and water
swept away. while the inhabitants fed
afrighted to the neighboring hills.
The damage is irrepairable. Not over 10
from lquique splendid nitrate establish
| INT nR IL l.
destroyed. The sufferings of the people
OF Iquique were intense in the absence of
water, and the destruction of the princi-
pal stores added to their hardships. 1t is
estimated the damage done in Iquique
will amounGto nearly $4,000.000. At
Chanauya, little town at Guano, leading
to the deposits known as Pabellon de Plea,
with 400 houses now has only 2 standing.
Here the earthquake was followed by fire
and waves. In one of the Guano cuttings
80 laborers were buried by the falling of
the earth. Amongst the shipping the
havoc was terrible The town of Tara
baca, two or three leagues inland, and the
villages of Plea, Matilla and Canchones, were
more or less ruined. The loss of life is
reported as small. The earthquake was
especially severe at Chanayvay. The
, earth opened Is meters in depth, aud the
whole surface of the ground was changed
; At least 200 people weIe killed. Bodies
were floating in the bay and a pestience
! is feared. At Hemeallas, a guano load
, ing station, the damage inflicted was fear
full. 4 wave, which succeeded the earth
quake and completed the work of destruc-
ton, was nearly sixty feet in height
Many vessels we're lost here, together Will
4 several of those on board. Two,thirds o.
= the town of Mexilloles Is completely obi
, terated, At Teocopella little or nothln,
! remains of that town. The mine called
! Lopena Blanca, four miles to southwark
sank in, smothering in it 200 workmen
!. !. of whom 40 were Cornish miners. CObija
J, the principal town on Balenian coast, ha
! lost three-fourths of the houses. As sool
& as this lamentable intelligence reached tn
r Lima government a chartered steame
4, and organised relief commission loaded
vessel with provisions, clothing. etc.
together with fifteen thousand gallons {
!. water and despatched her on the 10th 70
e, the south. One hundred thousand sole
" in silver coin also formed part Q
= her cargo, to be distributed amongst th
unfortunates. A commission of engineer
% accompanied the expedition, 1t has bee
urged by the government to recommen
Sc the building at ruined towns on sites whiC
es may offer greater security, more remo
TO from the shore, since there is the secor
OF instance of a similar calamity oD position
ch actually occupied. Subscriptions are b
er ing made in Lima and Ualloa for the reli
m of the distressed, The northern por
IN of Peru were damaged but lit
m though the sea was running remar
its ably high, the captain. of the steam
he John Elder, reported, when % miles We
os of Antafagasta. coming at full speed,
40. ship was completely stopped by the sho
W ol of the earthquake aud she remain
cts " 60" 90 LaI:as; ~ IA etr,,oI, =,
sed pdSSe nsele ooI.' 'Ins 81. -. oGat ~
ABS Ieel' ooupuluse v. ga az ~