THE EARTHQUAKE WAVE IN SOUTH AMERICA.

Globe, Volume VIII, Issue 957, 19 July 1877, Page 3

THE EARTHQUAKE WAVE IN SOUTH AMERICA.

The following particulars of the earthquake on the South Pacific coast have been received by way of Panama and New York :

Callao was visited on the morning of the 10th by a species of tidal wave, or rather a gradual upheaval of the sea, which caused serious damage and exceeding alarm. The docks and piers of Muillo and Darecna were the principal sufferers, together with some stores along the shore line, which were completely carried away by the water. Vessels made fast and lying alongside the outer Avails of the dock were lifted fully eight feet by the upheaval, but not damaged. Most of the steamers riding at anchor in the bay||slipped their cables, fearing further danger. The United States storeship Onward left for anchorage, the officers in command evidently remembering the fate of her predecessor, the Tredonia, in the great tidal wave at Arica in 1868. Quantities of merchandise temporarily stored on the docks, from ships in discharge, were ruined by the water. On shore the greatest consternation was apparent, many families Hying for safety to the high grounds back of the town. At 10 o’clock in the morning all danger seemed past. The sea was still somewhat agitated, but gradually resumed its ordinary tranquillity. At Mollendo 300 ft of railway running along the shore Avas destroyed by the wave. At 110 the tOAvn and railway Avere also seriously damaged, although no loss of life was reported. Beyond Mollendo, the cable is interrupted. Much anxiety prevails as to the fate of Arica and Iquique. The steamer Santa Rosa, Avhich left Arica on the evening of the 9th, reports that Avhen a few moments under way she experienced a shock of earthquake and saAv a tidal wave setting toward shore. At Arequipa a strong shock Avas felt, but the Prefect telegraphs that no damage was inflicted on the city. Prom the south there is no further intelligence ; yet the fact that the cable is not Avorking leads to the belief that some great calamity may have befallen southern ports. In such case, at the guano deposits of Pabillion, &c, Bica and Gruarillos, Avhere from eighty to a hundred ships are loading, the catastrophe must have been immense.

The Panama “ Star” lias additional intelligence showing the extent of the devastation. The steamer John Elder arrived at Callao from Valparaiso on the 13th, and reports that the destructive tidal wave at Callao and ports to the north of there was known to have extended as far south as the northern boundary of Chile, but how much further is not known, as communication by cable has been interrupted. The Elder reports the almost complete destruction of Antofagasta, Iquique, Arica, Tambo, Demora, Pabcllion, Depice, and 110. The destruction of life and property was owing entirely to a frightful upheaval and ingress of the sea.

A gentleman arrived by the Trujello states that the nourishing town of Iquique, the principal port for the nitrate shipments, is left as complete a ruin now as it was after the frightful earthquake and inundation of 1868. It Arica the sea washed over the town to a height back of the church, and destroyed much valuable property. The wreck of the United States steamer Watereo, which was carried inland a couple of miles by the tidal wave of 1868, was again floated and carried a mile or two further up the coast. The lower part of Anatofagosta, which is a part of the celebrated Caracoles mining district in Bolivia, is reported completely destroyed, Smelting

and other works near shore were all swept away. The shipping at Pabellion and Debica and the guano deposits suffered severely, and some half-dozen line vessels are reported ashore, completely wrecked. The sea in some places is stated to have risen over sixty feet. The meagre and unsatisfactory reports render it impossible to form any fair estimate of the result of this terrible visitation ; but, making all due allowance for exaggerated statements, we cannot but believe that the loss of life and property has been enormous. Between six and eight hundred lives are said to have been lost.