Morning journal and courier., 1881-05-20
The Earthquake at Chic.

An Interesting Account of the Disaster
 Received by the Navy Department.
 Rear Admiral Howell, under the date of
 Castellamare di Stabio, May 2nd, transmits
 to the Navy department report made by
 certain officers of the United States steamer
 Galena upon the earthquake which recently
 occurred at Chic. Rear Admiral Howell
 says: '"The report is very creditable to the
 officers. Their theories are very ingenious
 and give evidence of considerable research.
 have much pleasure in transmitting it." The report is signed by Lieut.. H. O. Rit- tenhouse, Master Austin M. Knight and Mid shipman Harry Mel. F. Huse, and addressed to Commander James O'Kane, and is in sub stance as follows:
 Sir-In obedience to your orders of the 7th inst, we proceeded, on the arrival of the Galena at Kastro, to gather such information as would enable us to make up the report herewith submitted The first four days
 were occupied in visiting the ruins of the city of Kastro and it's suburbs, noting the damage sustained and the measures instituted for the relief of the people. The country to the southward was visited, including such ham, lets or small towns as were within convenient reach Special attention was given to the subject of tidal phenomena along the coast. The Island of Scio, which suffered more from the shock than any adjacent land, has an area of about 400 square miles. The northern part is mountainous and supports but few inhabitants, while the southern portion Is un-
 dulating, more thickly settled, and well cul- | tivated. The valleys especially are exceed ingly fertile, and produce fruits, mastie and the numerous garden products. The pop ulation of the entire island before the shock is estimated at 75,OOO. The capital city is Kastro, on the eastern coast containing about 15, GOO inhabitants. An old Genoese castle, in the northeastern quarter of the city, was occupied by mixed popula-
 tion of Turks and Jews, from 800 to 1000 In number With the above exception the pop
 ulation of the island is of Greek origin The
 first disturbance occurred at Rastro shortly
 after noon of Sunday, April 3, and was felt
 throughout the island and on the mainland
 beyond Smyrna. This was at once the most
 serious and disastrous shock that occurred.
 It was followed, however. by others of great
 force during the afternoon and night which
 did but little damage, only because the de- struction had been so complete at first. The shock came without warning, and so violent
 ly that the crash immediately commenced.
 The houses were from two to three stories high, generally old and poorly built of stone and mortar The roofs and floors were the first to yield, and were soon followed by the walls, many of which fell, cutting of escape and burying the victims under the debris, which in places filled the streets from side to side, and to height of or 10 feet. Those who were not killed or wounded became terror-stricken, and to add to the horrors the atmosphere became dark from dust and smoke. The shocks continued throughout the day and night so frequent and violent that the people remained in the fields and vacant spaces around the towns. At the present writing the shocks average about four day. It being Sunday and near midday many of the people were in their homes or the cafes
 Those in the fields or gardens generally es- caped The loss of life on the entire island can at present be only vaguely estimated
 The most authentic statements, however, put it at about 5000. The city of Kastro lost about 300, of whom over 25O were buried in
 the ruins of the castle. The large percent age of mortality in this inelosure is due to
 inc old and weak houses and narrow streets.