New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1886-09-02
THE CHARLESTON CATASTROPHE.

Though the news from Charleston is still
fragmcntary and vague, the latest dispatches
unhappily more than confirm the bad tidings
which arrived yesterday. The destruction
caused by the earthquake, both of life and
property will, it is now feared, prove more
serious than was at first estimated. The fact
that after necessarily imperfect survey the
loss of property is now thought TO reach five
million dollars, Of itself indicates That the hrst
reports exaggerated nothing in saying that
two-thrds Of the city had been levelled. AS
regards the more important question OF the
loss of human life, there is yet no basis for an
estimate. One report says that 1T WIN re
quirc several days to ascertain the extent OF
the mortality the inference being that many
persons are believed to be buried among the
ruins. That this should be so must be cX-
pected. when it is remembered that the shocks
which did the most damage occurred at an
hour when nine tcnths Of the women and chill
dren of the city had probably retired for the
night.
1t is TO DC hoped that, as majority OF the
houses are of wood most Of the inhabitants
had time to escape before they fell. The earth
ouakcs in California long ago proved that
wooden buildings will stand great deal OF
violent oscillation before they go to pieces and
some of them in that State have been turned
completely over without being wrecked. All
the indications, however. 60 to show that the
Charleston earthquake was more violent and
continuous than any occurring IN Oaiilorll''
stree the American occupation at least Inc
complete destruction Of the churches is an CYL
dence of the duration Of the shocks, for In the
worst earthquake that ever visited San Fran
cisco nothing of that kind happened, though
some three-story brick buildings were ruined.
In the present instance the destruction appears
TO have been general and almost complete,
and it is not surprising if the sufferers still
find it difficult to realize what has befallcn
them, and fail to recover equanlmity in the
face Of recurring shocks.
In most earthquakes the heaviest shocks
come first. In Charleston, however, the pre-
monitOry movements, which occurred last Fri
day, the 9th Of August, were hight, ana &C.
casioncd no apprehension, but were made the
subject Of tests by the papers. But II the
Door people of Charleston .aro paralyzcd 10y
the disaster that has fallen upon them so sud
denly il is the more necessary that their fellow
countrlmen who have escaped this misfortune
should hasten to their aid No doubt the sur
rounding cities will promptly furnish whatever
assistance is needed in rcscuing the wounded
and dsintcrring the dead. But thousands
arc made homeless and have lost all the little
they possessed Financial help for them Is
urgently demanded. 1t is for outside America
to come forward at this iuncturc and comfort
and succor her stricken sister. The TRIBUNE
hereby offers It's services as medium for the
collection of any funds the public may desire
to subscribe, and will sec that all such contli-
buttons arc promptly forwarded to the Mayor
Of Charleston. Such an appeal should not, and
VIC are confident will not. have TO be made
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