The Democratic press. [volume] (Ravenna, O. [Ohio]) 1868-1901, 1877-06-07
TERRIBLE DISASTER.
Woe and Wreck Along the Shore
Fi;iGHTgUL DESTRUCTION WROUGHT
BY THE SOUTH AMERICAN
TIDAL WAVE.

FEiGHTTuL DESTRUCTION WROUGHT
BY THE SOUTH AMERICAN
TIDAL WAVE.
Many Cities Swept Away, Vessels Sunk,
and Six to Eight Hundred Lives Lost.
On the 10Th OF May a tidal wave
washed the state of Guerro, in Mcxi-
co, and rose as high as the Plaza at
Acapulco
The following particulars of the
tidal wave on the South Pacific Coast
have been received: CallaO was vis-
tied on the morning of the 10Th by
species of tidal waye, or rather grad
ual upheavai of the sea, which caused
serious damage and exceeding alarm.
The docks and piers of Muelle narse-
na were the principal sufferers, togeth-
er with some stores along the shore
line, which were completely carried
away by water. The vessels made
last and lying alongside The outer
walls of the dock were lifted fully
eight feet by the urheaval, but strange
to say, were not damaged. Most OF
the steamers riding at anchor in the
bay shipped their cables, fearing fur
ther danger, and some OF the large
vessels stood out toward the offing.
The United States stOre-ship Onward,
lefe her anchora &c, the officer in COM
mand evidently remembering the fate
of her predecessor, the Fredonia. in
the great tidal wave in africa, i'll 1865,
A quantity of merchandise Temporal
lily slowed on the docks from ships
in discharge was rnined by water. a
water launch torn from its mOOrings,
struck against the iron pillars OF the
dock bridge and carried away several
of them. On shore the greatest cen
sicrnation was apparent, many fami-
lies flying Tor 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, but
rcsuming gradually its usual tranquil
ity; but the effect along the coast, as
far as we can learn, has been severe.
At MOllendo 300 ieet of the railway
that runs along the shore was destroy
ed by the wave. At l,o the town and
railway were seriously injured. al
though no loss OF life is reported. Be-
yond MoiIendo the cable is interrupt
ed, and much anxiety prevails as TO
the fate nj africa and lQuique. The
steamer Santa Rosa lett Arica on the
evenins oi the 9ih, and reports that
when lew moments under way she
experienced a shock of an earthquake,
and SAW IA tidal wave setting in toward
the shore. AT A:eurpa strong shock
was felt, but the perfect telegraphs
that no damage was inflicted on the
city.
From the South we can receive no
further Intelligence in time for trans
mission by this opportunity. The iaSt
OF the cable not " orking leads us to
believe that some great calamity may
have befmlien the southern ports. la
such case at the guano deposits of Pa
belon de Plco aud Guariilos, where
from eighty TO one hundred ships are
loading, the catastrophe must have
been immense.
The Panama Star has the following
additional 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 de-
structive tidal waye reported as having
been experienced at Callao and ports
TO the north thereof was known TO
have extended as far south as the
northern boundary of Chilli, but how
much farther south was not known, as
communications by cable had been in
terrupted. The Elder reports almost
the complete. destruction of Artoia-
gasta, lquique, africa. TainbO de Moro,
Pabelou de Pico, ynd lilo. Although
severe shocks OF earthquake were ielt
they caused but little damage. The
destruction OF life and properly was
owing entirely to the frighitul up
heaval and inSress OF the sea.
A gentleman who arrived by the
Trugillo informs us that the flourish
ing town of lquique, the principal
port for nitrate shipments, is lett as
complete q ruin now as it was after
the irightiul earthquake and lnunda-
ton OF 1868. AT africa the sea washed
over the town TO the hill back of the
church, and destroyed much valuable
property. The wreck of the United
States steamer Wateree, which was
carried inland couple OF miles by
the tidal wave OF 1865. was again float
cd, and carried Il yniic or two up the
coast.
The lower part of Autofagasta,
which is the port of the celebrated
Caracoles mining district in Bolivia,
is reported completely destroyed. The
smelling and other works Rear the
shore were al swept away. The ship
ping ut i'abeIon de Plea aud the guano
deposits suffered severely, and some
halt dozen fine vessels are reported
ashore and complete wrecks. The sea
in some places is stated 10 have risen
over sixty feet.
With the mcagcr and unsatisfactory
reports that have reached us ii is in-
possible 10 form any estimate oi the
result OF this terrible visitation; but
making all due allowance for exagger-
aied statements, we can not but be
leve the destruction OF life and prop
erty has been enormous. Whether
the tidal wave extended further south
than Autoiagusta, and with what re-
suits, it is impossible to know. We
may ut any moment receive further
particulars by way of Valparaiso, and
the Transandine telegraph and Brszil-
ian cables TO Europe. Between six
hundred and eight hundred lives are
said to have been lost.
SAN FRANCIsCo, May 30.-Referring
to the earthquake, observations taken
May 10th sud llth by the officers OF
the Lackawanua at Acapulco are inter-
esting. The following Is an extract
Thursday. 1O:h. from Il. M. to me
ridian: a bout ten O'Clock an unusu-
ally rapid Use OF water in the harbor
occurred. The beach was entirely
submerged. the water advancing for
some distance into the streets OF the
town. This phenomenon was follow
ed by four similar tidal waves at in
tervals OF about fifteen minutes be-
tween each, The water rising and fall
ing i'll each case three feet, excepting
the final one, the rise and fall OF " hich
was two feet six inches the ship
swinging to each recedin@ and ad-
vancing wave. From meridian to 4
p. m, slight tidal waves during the
watch, at intervals of about twenty
minutes between each, the ship lying
uncasily at anchor, heading sonth
southwest to west. Friday, the llth,
crn IN