Ottumwa weekly courier. (Ottumwa, Wapello County, Iowa) 1872-1899, 1877-06-06
Tidal Wave.

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the state Of Guerro in Mexico, ant
rose as high as the plaza at Acapulo
The following particulars of the tida
wave on the South Pacific coast hav,
been received. Gallao was visited OF
the morning of the 10th by . gradua
upheaval of the sea, which caused
serious damage and exceeding alarm
The docks and piers of Muelle Dor
scna were the principal sufferers, to
gether with some stores along tn,
shore line which were completely
carried away by the water. Most Of
the steamers riding at anchor in tht
bay shipped their cables, fearing fur.
ther damage, and some of the larger
vessels stood out towards the 0ffing
The United States storeship, Onward
left her anchorage. A quantity Of
merchandise temporarily stored or
the docks from ships in discharge
was ruined by water. A water launch
was torn from its moorings, struck
against the iron pillars of the dock
bridge and carried away several OF
them. On the shore the greatest con.
sternation was apparent, many fami-
lies flying for safety to the high
grounds back of the town. At 10
O'Clock. in the morning all danger
seemed to haye passed. The sea was
still somewhat agitated but resuming
its tranquility. The egect along the
coast, SO far as heard has been Sc
we're.
At Ilo, the town and railway were
also seriously damaged, although no
loss of life is reported. Beyond Mol
tendor the cable is interrupted and
much anxiety prevails as to the fate
OF africa and Iquique. The steamer
Santa Rosa left africa on the evening
Of the 9th, and reports that when a
few moments under way she expert
enced shock of earthquake, and saw
q tidal wave setting in towards the
shore. At Arequipa strong shock
was felt, but the prefect telegraphs
that no damage was inflicted upon
the city. From the south no further
intelligence has been received, The
fact of the cable not working leads to
the belief that some great calamity
has befallen the southern ports.
At the guano deposits Of Pabillon,
Depico and Guariltos, where from
eighty to one hundred ships are load
ing, the catastrophe must have been
immense. The steamer John Elder,
arrived at Callao from Valparaiso on
the 18th, states that q destructive tidal
wave was reported as having been
at Callao and ports to the
north thereof and was known to have
extended as far south as the northern
boundary of Chill, but how much fur
ther south is not known, as communi-
cation by cable had been inter-
rupted. The Elder reports the al
most complete destruction of Anto-
fagasta, Iquique, africa, Tambo de
Marc, Pabillon, Depico and lilo. The
destruction of life and property was
owing entirely to the frighfui up
heaval and ingress Of the sea.
A gentleman who arrived by the
informs us that the flourish
ing town of Iquique, the principal
port for nitrate shipments, is left as
complete q wreck now as it was after
the frightful earthquake and inunda-
ton Of 1868.
At africa the sea washed over the
town to the hill back of the church,
and destroyed much valuable prop
crty.
The wreck of the United States
steamer Wateree, which was carried
inland couple of miles by the tidal
wave of the sixth, was again foated
and carried q mile or two up the coast.
The lower part Of Antofagasta
which is the port of the celebrated
Caracoles mining district in Bolivia,
is reported completely destroyed.
The smelling and other works near
the shore were oil laid away. The
shipping at Pabillon de Plea and the |
guano deposits suffered severely and |
some half dozen fine vessels are re-
ported ashore and complete wrecks. |
The sea in some places is stated to |
have risen over sixty feet. With the |
meagre and unsatisfactory 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
we cannot but believe |
hat the destruction of life and prop
,rty has been enormous. Six to eight
lives have been lost.