Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1877-06-02
The South American Earthquake.

The following particulars of the tidal wave on
the South Pacific coast have been received lIom
the Lima correspondent Of the Panama star !;
Calso was visited on the morning of the ION by
a species of tidal wave, or rather gradual up
heaval of the sea, which caused serious damage
and exceeding alarm. The docks and piers of the
Muelle Darsens were the principal sufferers, TO-
gether with some store. along the shore line,
which we're completely carried away by the water.
Vessel. made fast and lying alongside the outer
w.Ils Of The dock were lifted fdly eight feet by
the upheaval but, strange to say, were not dam
aged. Most OF the steamers riding AZ anchor IN
the bay slipped their cables, fearing further
danger, aud some of the larger vessels stood out
toward the ofiiog. GA shore the greatest conster-
mali 10 was apparent, many families flying for
safety to the high grounds back Of the town. At
ten O'Clock in The morning all danger seemed to
have passed. Tue sea was somewhat agi'ated,
bat resumed gradually its ordinary tranquility.
Blu, the effect along the coast, a far as we can
learn. has been severe. At Moendo, 800 feet of
the railway which runs along the shore was de
stroted by the wave. At lilo, the town aad rail-
way were also seriously damaged, although no
loss of life is reported. Tue steamer Santa Rosa
left Africa Oh the evening Of the 9th, and reports
that when a few moments under way experienced
the shock of an earthquake aud saw tidal wave
setting in toward the shore. At Areqdipa
strong shock was felt, but the Project teleIrsphs
that no damage was inflicted on the ely.
The Panama Star has the folio wing additional
intelligence showing the extent Of the devasis-
ton
1.-The steamer John Elder arrived at Callao from
Valparaiso on the 18Th. BY her we have the
news that the destructive tidal wave reported by
our correspondent having been experienced at
Callao aud ports TO the north thereof was known
to have extended as far south as the northern
boundary OF Chill, but how much further south
was not known, as the Communication by cable
had been interrupted. The Elder reports the al
most complete destruction OF Anofagasts, Iqui-
Que. africa, Tambo de Moro, Psbelon de p ico aud
Ito. Although severe shocks Of earthquake were
felt, they caused but little damage The destruc-
ton Of life and property was owing entirely to the
frighiful upheaval aud ingress OF the sea. gen.
tleman who arrived by the Irujillo informs us that
the hourishing town of lquique, tue principal port
for nitrate shipments, is left rs complete a rum
no W as it was after the frightful earthquake and
inundation Of 1868. At Area the sea washed
The town to the NIL back of the church, and de-
stroyed much valuable property. The wreck of
the United States steamer ateree, which was
carried inland a couple OF miles by the tidal wave
of 1868, was again foaled, aad carried a mile
two further up the coast The lower part of An
tofag asts, which is the port Of the celebrated
Carscoes mining district IN Bolivia, is reported
completely destroyed. The smelling and other
works near the shore were all swept away. The
shipping at Pabellon de Plca-the guano deposits
suffered severely, and some half dozen fine
vessels are reported ashore and complete wrecks.
The sea in some places is stated to have risen
80 feet. With the meager aud unsatisfactory re-
ports that have reached it is impossible to form
any fair estimate of the result Of this terrible Wis
ilation bat, making all due allowance for exsg
sersted tatements, we cannot but believe the de-
siructlon OF life and properly has been enormous.
Whether the tidal wave extended further south
than Antofsgssta, and with what results, it is i'm
possible to know. We may at any moment re-
ceive further particulars by way OF Valparaiso
and the Transsndine telegraph and Brazilian ca
oles to Europe. Between 6OO and 500 lives are
said TO have been lost.
On the 10th of May tidal wave washed the
shore of the State of Guerro in Mexico. and
rose as high as the plaza at Acapulco.