The watchman and southron. [volume] (Sumter, S.C.) 1881-1930, 1913-10-08
CANAL WITASTANDS SH0cK.
LITTLE DAMAGE DONE AT PANA.
MA BY EARTHQUAKE.
Work Stands Severe Test and Does
not Seem tn have Suffered Greatly
From Disturbance-TOtal Damage
Throughout Area Affected Estimat-
ed at 100000.

Panama, Oct. 2.-"Absolutely no
damage was done by last nights
earthquake to any part OF the ca
nal" This signed statement tonight
was issued by Col. George w. Goe-
thals. chairman and chief engineer OF
the isthmian canal commission.
The canal officials are greatly
pleased over the fact that within tho
space Of one week the Gatun locks
have been called upon to respond to
two supreme tests, and in each case
proved equal to the demand.
On Friday last it was demonstrated
beyond question that the locks oper-
ating mechanism works perfectly and
that vessels can be locked through
at will. While the earthquake test
was not figured on the event came
opportunely, as 1t has showed that it
will take more than the ordinary
earthquake to cause irreparable dam
age to the lock structures and dams.
Lieut.. Col. Sibert today personally in
spected the greater part of the Gatun
locks and satisfied himself that there
had been no damage. Col. Goethals
early was assured that the canal
works had suffered no injury.
The president of Panama, DR. BE-
lizario Perras. inspected the canal
works this afternoon and learned with
great relief that the quake had left
the canal unharmed.
Reports late tonight from different
parts of the isthmus indicate that the
disturbance was purely ( a local
character with the greater intensity
In Los Santos province, 120 miles from
this city A late dispatch from the
city of Los Santos estimates the dam
age theer al $4,000 and In the en-
tire province at 100000. No lives
were reported lost with the exception
Of one death from fright.
The history Of earthquakes In Pan
anna during the last 200 years shows
that disturbances in the neighboring
republic Of Costa Rica rarely are per-
ceptible in this part Of the isthmus.
Canal experts always have pinned
great faith to the fact that no quake
has ever occurred strong enough to
shake down the famous fiat arch
which he's stood in Panama for ITS
years.
While n number of seismic disturb
ances have been recorded here since
the American occupation, the earth
quake of last night was the most
serious Of all. The city tonight is
quiet and the general feeling is that
all danger has passed.
The only serious damage to build :
ings in the city of Panama was the
shaking down of some of the plaster
and fresco interiors of the famous
fiat arched Santo Domingo church.
Col. Goethals has received reports
from every part of the canal territory
saying no damage has resulted.
Reports Of damage in interior towns
of the Panama republic began to
come in late this afternoon. The
earthquake was violent in the prov.
ince Of Los Santos where the gov
ernment palace in the city of Los
Santos was wrecked and the police
station badly cracked.
AT Tuaricirco Villalaz one house
was ruined and two others fell down.
Towers OF the churches at Macarcat
and Los Tablas were wrecked. In the
latter place several other BUILDINGS
weer destroyed.
AT Pez the village priest called his
congregation into the church but the
people were ordered out again by the
civil authorities.
One woman died of fright in Pen
onome.
Schools In the city Of Panama were
ordered closed today.
The seismic disturbance does not
appear to have extended far to the
west or north.
Wireless advices from Bocas del
Toro say the town was badly shaken
but no material damage resulted.
Port Limon. Costa Rica reports
the earthquake was scarcely notice
able there.
IL the disturbance was more serious
anywhere II must have been in some
of the West Indian islands or In Ecua-
dor.