, 1877-07-22

do not believe there IS another case of tho
Kind on record.
HORRORS OF 4 NIGHT.
Cities Destroyed by Earthquake, Fire, and
Tidal Wave-vIvfd Pcn-Pfcturo of the
Recent Astounding Calamity In South
America.
Correspondence Basfon Adrertiser.
VALPARAISO, May 30.-A few days before
the events am about to narrate took place, the
volcanic mountains OF San Pedro and San Pablo
were observed to be sending forth high in air
from their lofty peaks flames, stones, and
| ashes. At night the reflected light nlumin ated
the heavens, at times giving a reddish glare to
the passing and oveFliansfng clouds, aud would
gradually disappear. Now and then slimmcr-
| ing, Whittsh light would brightly be reflected
] from some bursting forth Of the flames at tho
! crater's mouth, md with these frcaent changes
| the night would pass away. Daylight gave the
appearance OF dense, smoky cloud hanging
high above and around the volcano. At the
! foothills OF these mountain ranges were sitsa-
| atcd the Cities Of Calama, San Pedro, and Chui-
chni. all Of which were destroyed.
"Wednesday, the 9Th daY OF May, 1871, was
| remarkable for the extrrme heat and sutro:at-
| ing atmosplere-a cloudy day. In the evening
! at $3.50, without any announcement by the
usual rumbling, underground sound preceding
| an earthqdake, the earth began to shake,
| increased in strength. For the space OF three
! minutes the motion Of the earth's surface was
undu1ating. rocking, and uplifting. The
shock was distinctly heard from callao,
Ts5d Tv along in the the coast southern G6 R0Ta nesa 70
Of Chilli, its central point Of action audi
| aud force being in Bolivia Upon the CON-
! mencement Of the trcmor the startled populaee
OF tho many different seaeoast cities hurried
| forth from their dwellings aud found them
selves scarcely able to maintain their foothol1
In the public streets: some there were who fell
upon their hands and knees. The darkness OF
the night, the grinding OF the walls Of the
buildings ouc against the other, the crushing,
tumbling down OF walls. and clouds OF dust
flying about, the crash OF household goods,
erockery, glassware etc. as they fell. the ring
lug OF the church and the other bells with ths
cries Of despair and shrieks of women and chill
drcn, mingled with the loud prayers Of merry,
were bat portion of the horrors OF the passing
moments. With diminished fQrcc for hours at'
ter: shake alter shake occurred, and, to add Il
the misfortunes Of many Of the cities, lamcs
broke fOrth from the ruined houses.
Bravely the men contendetl with the new
enemy, which was fast gaining the upFci hand.
seen miles away at sea on shipboarl. The light
Of the condagratlon upon the Jagged, sh2pelesS
rains Of buildings in the background, and
the reflection Of the flames npoa the passing
forms- and scared. pa4e races OIL tne women W
they hastily passed to and fEo, hunting aome
dear one or anxious for the welfare Of relatives
aod fr1enhs, gave perhaps 1atnt picture OF tne
"last day." Amid such sad aud gloomy scenes
the cry broke forth, and was =; r,tpeltcd from
every s'de, Inc 1it:al wave" Men gave , up i3 ~
dren: intent on selt-preserEation, they sought,
maddened with aNriGAt, the steep hilts1dcs for
safety. Mothers were separated from their
children. husband from Tllc; everything was
nft,11r
The places In which they had been left in fancicd
security, and they, too, rushed on with the
rest, many Of them perishing in the attempt.
The sea gradually left the shore, and, falling
strength and velocity for, it's fearful coming
leap, rising sixty 1eet in he1ght IT aoraHced'
boiling, rolling, and tumblins over aud over,
with 4 deatening noise. bearing all cefore 1t in
its course; vessels, some OF them, sank n Us
clung to their anchorage, and, for time, were
buried In the wayc, were lifted up, and In safety
swaying from side to side settled at last III
smooth water; many were dragged ana hurr1cu
to the land, where they were distnantiea Or
broken In pieces. The tidal wave, gaining IN
force and power with its onward rolling notion
seemed striving for the final struggle, and, run
ming its fearful course. it soon entered INC
thrice doomed cities, putting out tue lamss "
volume OF smoke aus steam; "a rcccolnS ina
wave took with 1t all that rc1nalncd un-
destroyed.
With the appearance OF daylight vas diseov-
cred the wreck OF what few hours before nad
been aoufishinE cities, now desolate wasse-
An industrious, thriving people we're homc!ess
and houselcss, and soon to suffer the pangs OF
hunger and thirst, OF ruin and despair. Inc
beach was strewn with the wrecks o. thelT prop
erty, and the sea had DESTROYED their pfossfonS. @
growing each day lesser in force It Is sup
posed to be the most disastrous wave % eyer espe7,
renced on this coast, and to nave oeen caussa
BY subter7ancan earthquake unaef Ing sen
and connected With Ine Vocaao o. li aad .o1r
tnem neTea tSo " n,,ces witch have snferei IN