The Redwood gazette. [volume] (Redwood Falls, Minn.) 1873-1940, 1877-06-14

minutes, whereas the ordinary. tide rises
only four feet in mot less than three hours !:
so We might infer that the tidal wave of
1877 was as high on the coast OF South
America as that of 1888; but this inter.
ence is probably incorrect, since we have
no report of serious damage on Thursday
last from any place save africa, whereas
nine years ago the losses were great ut a
dozen different ports. The entire losses
of south America by earthquake in 1868
were estimated at 80 900 lives and $500.
000, 900 in property. The immense active
volcanoes of the Andes have doubtless an
intimate relationship with the frequent
earthquakes along the coast at their west
ern base.-San francisco alta, Maj is.
PANAMA, May q.
The following particulars of the recent
tidal wave on the South Pacific coast have
been received:
Callao was visited on the morning of the
10th by q species of tidal wave, or rather
gradual upheaval OF the sea, which
caused serious damage and exceeding
alarm. The docks and piers of Muelle
Darsena were the principal sufferers, to-
gether with some stores along the shore
line which were completely carried away
by the water. Vessels made fast and w.
ing alongside the dock were lifted fully
eight feet by upheaval, but, strange to
say, were not damaged. Most Of the
steamers riding at anchor in the bay
shipped their cables, fearing further
danger. Many families fled for safety to
the high grounds back of the town. At
ten O'Clock in the morning all danger
seemed to have passed. The sea was still
somewhat agitated, 5ut resuming gradual
" It's ordinary tranquility, but the effect
along the coast as far as we can learn has
been severe:
The Panama Star has the following ad-
ditional intelligence, showing the extent
of the devastation: The steamer John
Elder arrived at Callao from Valparaiso
on the 18Th. By her we have news that
the destructive tidal wave reported as hav.
ing been experienced at Callao and ports
to the north thereof was known to have
extended as far south a. the northern
boundary of Chill, but how much further
south was not known. A communication
by cable had been interrupted. The
Elder reports the almost complete de-
stru;tion Of Antofsgasto, 1quique, africa,
TambO de Marc, Pabellon de Pico and
quake were felt they caused but little
damage.
The destruction of life and property
was owing entirely to the frightful up
heaval and ingress of the sea. A gentle
man who arrived by the TrujillO informs
us that the f1ourishing Town of Iquique,
the principal port for nitrate shipments,
is left as complete ruin now as it was
after the frightful earthquake and inun.
dalton CT 1868.
At africa the sea washed over the town
to the hill back of the church, and de.
stroyed much valuable property. The
wreck of the United States steamer Wa
teree, which was carried inland q couple
of miles by the tidal wave of 1868, was
again floated and carried mile or two
farther up the coast.
The lower part OF Antofagasta, which
is part of the celebrated Caracoles mining
district in Bolivia, is reported completely
The shipping at Pabcllon de Pico, and
guano deposits, suffered severely, and
some half-a-d0zen fine vessels are reported
ashore and complete wrecks. The sea, in
some places, is stated to have risen over
sixty feet. With the meager and unsatis-
factory reports that have reached us, it is
impossible to form any fair estimate of
the result of this terrible visitation. But
making all due allowance for exaggerated
statements, we cannot but believe that de-
of life and property has been
enormous. Whether the tidal wave ex.
tended further south than AntOfagasta and
with what results, it is impossible to
know. Between six hundred and eight
hundred lives are said to have been lost.