The Hawaiian gazette. [volume] (Honolulu [Oahu, Hawaii]) 1865-1918, 1877-07-04
Earthquake and Tida1 Wave.
DETAILS OF THE LATE DISASTER AND DEsrRuc-
TIoN IN SOUTH AMERICA
SIX HUNDRED LIVES Lost AND MANY NPoR-
TASr TOWNS LEyELED To THE GROUND,
GUASo OPERATIONS INDEFINITELY
SUSPENDED
DISTRACTION OF IQurQUE-TERRIBLE SCENES.


New York, June llth.-The Star aud Hera Id
of Panama, received to-day, has details of the d.
sasters aud destruction caused on the South Pa
cifc Coast By the earthquake and tidal wave of
May 9Th, The.lowns Of africa, lquique, Ponta,
Delabos, Isabelon, Depica. Chanavaya, Huanil
los, CopiIla, Cobja Millones, DeBoiya Anto-
pagsta and Chanarabal are nearly destroyed
About 600 lives were lost. The destruction at
Papallon Is estimated at S20000.000. The de-
struction was confined mostly to the coast, al
though the town of Tarapaca. twenty-three lea
CUES inland. aud the villages OF Poeomattalla and
Conejouas. far 10 the interior, we're more or less
ruined. The shipping of guano from southern
deposits will be indefinitely suspended, as all IA
eities in the way oil launches, chutes, wharves,
water condensers. and buildings of all kinds have
been swept away. The destruction of and dam
age TO shipping have been very great, and was
attended by very serious loss of life.
At Moilendo the railway was torn up by the
sea 800 feet, and at Ito the railway was also in-
iured At africa the people were preparing tenn
poTary Notifications TO repel the threatened as
sault of the rebel ram Hauscar the moment when
the roar OF an earthquake was heard. The shocks
were very numerous, and caused immense da
mage. The sea was suddenly perceived to re-
cade from the beach, and a wave from Ten TO if
teen feet high rolled upon the shore, carrying all
before it. Eight times was repeated this assault
of the ocean, and four miles of the embInkment
of the railway melted away like sand. LoeomO-
tives cars and aail were hustled about like so
many playthiugs. and left 10 q tumbled mass OF
rubbish. The United States steamer. Wsteree,
stranded in 1868 was lifted bodily aud hOated
two miles north Of her old station. A cable buoy
was moved quarter of mile northward. Mer-
chandise from the Custom house aud stores we're
a u
done was greater than OF thee calamity of 1868.
1t has leEeled the Gustom-house, railway station,
submarine cable office, hotel, British Consulate,
steamship agency, and many private dwellings.
The people passed the night on the hills. Thieves
began TO rob, when the troops fired upon them,
killing and wounded several.
DESTRUCTION OF IQUIQvE.
Iqulque was built Of wood aud tumbled down
at tbs first onset. Lamps we're broken and the
burning oil spreading over the debris. started a
general eonfagaration. Three companies of fire.
men we're Instantly at their posts. although it
was difficult to maintain 40 upright position.
shock following shock with dreadful regularity.
To procure water the two best FIRE engines were
stationed at the beach Just then the cry arose:
= The sea r aud the waves rushed in : the en-
gines we're carried away By the relax and the
fire continued unsurpassed. Three elements OF
destruction at one moment FIRE, water and the
earthquake. The afnghted people lett the city
to It's fate, flying to the neighboring emiueaces.
The FIRE destroyed large portion of the town.
the earthquake eEelled nearly all the rest and
the waite covers ruins which it took out 10 its re-
fux. The water cOudeusers along the shore are
ruined. Nearly four hundred thousand quintals
Of nitrate at Iqaique and the adjacent ports OF
MolIe aud Pisaqua we're destroyed A small
lose Of life took pIace-probabiy ten persons 10
all. Coassing crafts and small boats 10 the har-
Dor we're broken 10 pieces away up on the pam
pas. eleven miles from Iquique.
The splendid nitrate establishment, La Neuva
Carolina. was completely destroyed. The sui
ferings Of the people of Iqnequs were intense.
Absence OF water and the destruction OF the
principal stores added to their hardship. 1t il
estimated that the damage done in Iquique vii
amount to nearly S4000000-
OTHER TOWNS DEzTRoTED-DANAeE 70 SKIPPING
Chanivava, little town al Guzno Landing De
posit, known Us PabeIlon de Plea. with 45c
houses, has only two standing. In one Of tie