The new dominion. [volume] (Morgantown, W. Va.) 1876-1904, 1877-06-30
Ftsu account of the south american
Tidal Ware.

The Star and Herald of Panama, lately
received, has details of the disaster and
destruction caused on the South Pacific
Coast by the earthquake and tidal wave
of May 9. The towns of africa, 1quique,
Ponta de Labos, Pabellon de Plea, Chan
avava, Huanillas, Tocpilia, Cabija,
Mejillones de Bolivia, Autofagasta and
Chanaralal are nearly all destroyed.
About six hundred lives were lost.
The destruction of property is esti-
mated at 500, 100000, confined mostly to
the coast, although the town of Fara-
paca, twenty-three leagues inland, and
the villages of Plea, Matilda and Con-
chall, far in the interior, are more or less
ruined.
The shipping of guano from the South
ern deposits will be indefinitely sus-
pended, as all facilities in the way of
launches, chutes, wharves, water con-
densers and buildings of all kinds have
been swept away. The destruction of
and damage to shipping has been very
great. and was attended by very serious
loss of life. At Mallendo the railroad
was torn up by the sea three hundred
feet, and at lilo the railroad was also in
jured.
At africa, the people were preparing
temporary Notifications to repel the
threatened assault of the rebel ram
Huascar at the very moment when the
roar of the earthquake was heard. The
shocks were very numerous, and caused
immense damage. The sea was suddenly
perceived to recede from the beach, and
waves from ten to fifteen feet high rolled
up On the shore carrying all before it.
Eight times was repeated this assault of
the ocean, and four miles of the embank-
ment of the railroad melted away like
sand. Locomotives, cars and rails were
hurled about by the sea like so many
play-things and left in tumbled mass
of rubbish.
The United States steamer Wateree,
stranded by the wave of 1868, was lifted
bodily, and foated two miles north of
her old position. A cable buoy was
moved a quarter of a mile northward
Merchandise from the Custom-house and
stores was carried five miles distant. The
damage done was greater than that of the
calamity of 1868,
The earthquake had leveled the Gus
tom-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 fred upon them, killing and
wounding several.
Iquique, built of wood and cane,
tumbled down at the first onset. Lamps
were broken, and the burning oil spread
ing over the debris, started general con-
dagration. Three companies of fremen
were instantly at their posts, although it
was difficult to maintain an upright po-
sition, shock following shock with dread
full regularity. To procure water, the
two best engines were stationed on the
beach. Just then the cry arose, "The
seal" The seal' and the waves rushed
in. The engines were carried out by the
refux, and the fire continued unopposed.
Three elements OF destruction were busy
at one moment-fire, water and the earth
quake. The afrighted people left the
city to its fate, flying to the neighboring
eminences. The fire destroyed large
portion of the town before it was SUBJ
dued. The earthquake leveled nearly
all the rest, and water covers the ruins
which it took out in its refux. The