The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1877-06-12
Twenty Millions Of Dollars and Six
Hundred Lives Lost.
Iquique, AFRICA, Cobia, Chanaysya and
Other Towns Destroyed,
IMMENSE DESTRUCTION OF SHIPPING.

loss NJ Me Owing 10 the distracted condition Of the
country the consequences viii also prove to be moro
considerable. The revolutionary movement becomes
secondary in importance TO this great assault OF the
elements and II appears as II Providence has sgnaicd
GU, Peru as q special object Of wrath
AS was communicated TO the HERALD, the uphcaval
OF The sea in Calao the wight OF the 9th inst gave
rise TO serious fears that the effects might have been
fatal along tho southern coast. from whence these
mysterious manifestations generally proceed, and I'M
fortunately tho conjecture proved to DO correct
IouiQue Africa Mole, the guauo deposits at Pabellon
do Plea, Pupta dc Lohos and Guanios the Bolivian
towns Of Antofagasta, Tocoplia. Cobja and hsxones
were laid IN ruins at ha-pas, eight O'Clock on the
night Of the 9th by fearful shock OF earthquake which
lasted in some places for nearly 1--WE minutes and was
Immediately followed by an invasion OF the ocean,
BY which the debris le OF the earthquake carried
out 10 sea Twenty millions Of hard dollars will not
cover the actual loss At the guano deposits eleven
largo vessels were totally lost, with many persons
board, and the remainder OF the oadng fleet so
badly damaged by collisions &c to render it
sary to bring them to Calao for repairs. Even now
some of the vessels which escaped are arriving, leaK
ing, dlsmasted foriorn. On shore the loss OF life
Is estimated u from 500 TO 60o
THE CAUSE AND COURSE OF THE gARrHarAxE
The earthquake was probably caused by an eruption
OF the volcano Iaga, situated on the southern frontier
oil Peru and Bolivia, and its effects werc principally
felt between latitude l6 deg. and "a deg. south. That
is as far know at present. Leaving Cailao,
whore the damage, as reported in my last DESPATCH
was very considerable psco Is the first port OF i'm
poance the SOUTH and here the conented itself
with the destruction Of few hu.s along the beach At
Mollcndo tho railway carried away for about 800
feet; since repaired. curious phenomenon
aoticod on tho l4th in tho sudden appearance Of a
Voent hurricane IRON the south preventing vessels
IRON communicating with the shore and unroolng
nearly all the houses OF Tho little town. Al lilo the
railway was also damaged put not TO nygreat extent.
Area tho unfortunate, again Is In mourning While the
townspcople were busiIy preparing some hasty do
fences against the threatened attack OF the rebel
Huascar, and throwing up sand bag batteries the
beach, the earthquake roarcd upon them-poativey
voared, for tho noise was terrific, Shock succeeded
shock; every TWO or three minutes the movement
repeated, and with such violence that il impos-
yibo to stand upright without support quarter of
hour passed the Custom House In great part, the
railway station the submarine Cable Office, the hotel
The British consulate. steamship agency and many
private buildings were lcvced TO the ground. Owing
10 the early hour Of the evening and tho excitement
attendant on the proposed attack Of the Huascar,
every one was out and stirring and no lives were lost
FEARFUL TIDAL WAVE.
But az the shocks appeared 10 decrease In intensity
and force the suddenly recedcd, and then in a
massive wall OF water from ten twelve feot high pre-
cpitated itself on the shore like raging monster,
destroying what little remained up through tho
for the distance Of four squares The people had
time fee to the MORO, enormous blur overlook
Ing the city, and there remained in oar and anguish
until daylight. Eight separate distinct times tho
rcceded and advanced. Its progress was only
stopped at the loot OF the hill on which the little
church stands which point Is further Inland that
reached in August, 1868 Four miles OF the cmbank-
ment OF the railway melted away like sand before the
attack Of the water; locomotives, cars and rails
hurled about BY the sea az so many playthings aud
left in heterogeneous mass OF rubbish The only
casualty reported is the loss Of three little children,
who we're IN tho trenches then being opened and In
the hurry OF escape lett TO the mercy of the
waves. The United States steamer waterce, stranded
by the bore OF 1855 lifted up bodily and noated
two miles north OF her old position. Tho cable buoy
was moved quarter ola milo norihward Mcrchan-
from the Custom House and carried by
Tho waicr 10 point the beach i've miles distant
The damage done greater than that Of tho previous
calamity, tho buildings erected since 1858 wero
OF costly and substantial class. rhe morn.
ing tho scene sorrowful. The shocks still con-
linued; the yet drcadfnliy agtatcd; the only
TWO vessels 10 the bay, anchored far out, escaped
injury but all the launches and boats had been oe-
s,roycd. Plumber had commenced; the evil disposed
improved the occasion 70 rob the goods scattered along
the beach, and the Project, TO enforce order was
obliged 10 command his troops 10 fire upon the thieves
III. occasioned a tumult IN which several men
wefc Killed. From tho interior supplies Of fooa
ana clothing were sent down. Tacna and the othcr
inland towns ielt tho shock nut slightly. Even Are
clysms, was this time LETT intact Her own special
volcano, the Mist len the honors OF the fray his
distant brother on the frontier.
iQuiQuE ~ RUINS
The movement was experienced here at the same
moment and with equal iorce Its duration was ex-
scty four minutes and twenty seconds. proceed ng
IRON the southeast, directly from the locahy OF tho
laga. The houses built OF very pcrshablo materials,
such cnno, laths, &C. tumbled down the first
&C. OF the enemy. Lamps were broken and the par.
aEne scattered over the debris speedily III general
confederation. The aremeno-.hrcc companies, tho
dlaieIy At their posts, although IL was
SIN diricuu TO MAINTAIN an upright position,
In order to procure the two best IRE engines
stationed on tho beach. and work began. Just the n
came rushing In in majesty rhe engines were carried
ont with the rcnux and the fro continued unopposcd
.hrco elements OF obstruction busy at one moment
Orc and tho earthquake. Tho anrigbtcG people
gave up all attempt at resistance and lett the city
It's fate, flying to the negnborins cminences Tho hro
destroyed large portion OF the town; tho earthquake
ievelcd nearly all the rest and the wuer covered the
ruins yhch II took out Ia he refux. Tho budings,
rh,oh occupied tour squares swanped and
taEen back BY the wavca An Tho wharges are do.
stoyed tho Custom House lie gonc the nitrate stores
hsvc disappeared: the water condcnsers along
y
Icuauc as no potable water Is found there
Nearly four hundred thousand quintas OF nitrate hen
10 the nj Iquque and the adjacent ports OF Mole
and Prsagua were Destroyed Fortunately small loss ot
l.r Is rcportcd-probably ten IA ali. The Grmaneza,
water BOAT ia stranded tho island In the harbor
\ gritsh bark. tho Caprera, and German bark, the
Zoernofs voss sank. Among The buildings destroyed
are Gbe railway station, tho warehouses OF thc Tar
sp.c Company the Offices OF tho Associated Bank and
Of the SaiponaI Bank, tue busiaess houses OF An.
fheny. Tate, Il Co., GiIdemefster Co, Richni co.
and rrol's the cavnlry barracks where large num-
md hor.p w A.
lions we're lost as we'll the engines. All The coast.
log craft sns boats n The harbor were broken 70
peces, drifting about IN every direction. On Doard
rlssey began the work OF reorganization As
II AREA. robbery OF tho goods lying IN
ite stree,s was commenced. but an urban
garc wsz formed Of tho czcDs and such severe meas
Ureg resOrtcd 10 tout the attempts were specify
checked. IL was row discovered mat the csoie was
A. rsd ana the dcspatcncs sent 70 Lima and africa Tor
Lelc a6d Safcf principally were detained. Tue break
10 lie cable % located between Iquiquc ADD AFRICA, ard