The Mineral argus., 1883-08-16
A RRI EARTHQUAKE.

CasamiccioIa. Ischia, Lacco, FOrio,
on the Island of Ischia. Destroyed
by an EArthquake-The Former
City Entirely Destr oyed-3 900
People known TO Have Persisted.
Naples, Special Cable, July 29.-The town
of Casamicciola, on the island Of Ischis,
near Naples, was almost entirely destroyed
by an earthquake last night. The neigh
boring towns Of Forio and Lacciameno were
greatly damaged. The shocks began at $50
O'Clock last night. Atthat hour a majority
Of the people OF The upper classes were at
the theater. Nearly all Of the houses in the
town collapsed. II is estimated that 800 per
SONS we're injured. II is impossible, as ye,
to give the exact number OF the dead
at CasamiCciola. In the latest
accounts the number Is estimated at 5000;
The Hotel PiccolA Sentinella sank in the
earth and many of its inmates were buried.
Some OF the inhabitants OF the town es-
capped to the sea at the first shock. They
made their way to Naples with the news OF
the calamity. The center Of the area of the
shock was the same as tina of two years
ago, but the radius was wider. The shock
was felt at sea-, and according to some &C
counts even at Naples.
The ground opened in sany places, while
in other places there was no movement;
wafer gushed out Of springs, and several
boilers 10 the bathing houses burst. The
theater. which was a wooden structure, was
literally torn open, allowing the audience
to escape. Steamers loaded with injured
people are constantly arriving here from
the scene OF the calamity. Eight ships are
already filled with sufferers. The minister
Of public works has gone to Casamico0la to
organize measures OF relief.
TIE stories told by the survivors are Dor
rible. Many Romans having villas at Is
CHA are known TO a been 10 {. The
dead are fearfully mutilsted. In some
cases the corpses are plainly discerRible
through the ruins, bat they cannot be ex-
tricated. IL i. surmised that some persons
are still alive in the cellars.
A correspondent telegraphs the 29th
that, Judging IRON reports already at hand,
the calamity will infinitely exceed the
Chose earthquake in 1851.
The bishop of Casamicciola, Don Filipani
Of Rome, and the prefeGt OF Caglaiia, are
reported, 10 be smong the dead. There
were very few English visitors on the island
at the time of the disaster. None Of the
special dispatches mention American anne
among the killed or wounded.
The Naples correspondent of the Cersal-
iere telegraphs as follows: II have just re-
turned from Ischia. Casanicciola, SaOcco
and Forio have been destroyed. They
were three Of the NEST hourishing commu-
mites on tho Island, which was half over
thrown. The road between the towns
of Ischia aud CAsamicciola is impossible.
The perfect of Naples telegraphs that the
town OF Casamicciols has ceased to exist,
Ths train ron this city TO Nsples to-day
was crowded with passengers going to in
auire Is to the fate Of their friends. None
Of the special dispatches mentioned Amer.
can names among the killed or injured.
Ischla is a volcanic island situated at the
north entrance OF the Bay of Naples. The
circumference is about niBeteen miles, and
the superficial area shout twenty-siK square
miles. Monte EpomeO, or San Niclo, the
ancient Eporueus, o. Epopeus, is the high
est point, Using 1900 leet above the see
Level. Tue principal summit is surround
ed by twelve inferior volcanic cones, from
one OF which the last eruption took pace
in 1902.
Cassmicciola i located at the foot o
Mount EponilO, near Naples, and had 8
reputation Of about 500. II was famed
throughout Italy for It's thermal spring
and baths. Forio is a seaport town on tn'
western coast Of Ischis, with a population
OF about Goo and has mineral baths which
are much resOrted 10.
The earthquake at Casamiccola in lSS.
was upon Friday, March 4, of that year
There were two shocks, the FIRST occurring a
l.3O d. IN. aud the second an hour later
The whole upper part Of the town was de
stroyed, and two thermal establishment
destroyed. The second, which was the ia
tai shock, and was accompanied by a nois
like subterranean thunder. Then came To
crash Of falling houses, accompanied by th
shrieks OF the victims. The soldiers from
Naples city rescued many from the ruins
The sIopulatiOn fed to the %surroundin
countr and along the sea coast. The los
of Lie was about 200.
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