DESOLATION OF AMERICAN CITIES AM If GREECE. London, September 3.

Te Aroha News, Volume IV, Issue 174, 16 October 1886, Page 5 (Supplement)

DESOLATION OF AMERICAN CITIES AM If GREECE. London, September 3.

Ax earthquake in the western provinces of Greece, on the night of the 27th of August, caueed a widespread destruction to property and losb oE over 300 lives, the greatest number of victims being at the town of Philiatra. Strong shocks were also felt at the same time in the neighbouring island of Zante and in Egypt. This commotion was followed by a atill more severe one in the United States, which was visited on the evening of the 31st by an earthquake among the most extensive in area and swiftest in its motion on record, much surpassing in these respects the earthquakes of 1884 It extended from the Atlantic Ocean west to Omaha, South to Mobile, and north to Detroit Ie was most severe at Charle3ton, South Carolina. In other parts it was destructive, but caused great alarm at Washington, Richmond, Atlanta, Augusta, Louisville.lndianopolis.Pittsburg, Cleveland Chicago, and Memphis. Most of the N*w England States eecaoed. The earthquake consisted of several shocks exceeding a minute in duration, and except at Charleston seems to have been noiseless. Charleston was laid in ruins, and three-fourths of the city will have to be rebuilt. A hundred people were killed aud many more injured. When the first shock came people rushed terrified into the streets from the houses, theatres, public meetings, and camped all nig'ot in the open air. Loud subterranean rumblings, successive shocks, and the crash of falling houses on all sides produced a fearful scene. Firea broke out in many places among the debris of ruined houses. Almost the entire population are houseless, and two-thirds of the dwellings are rendered uninhabitable. The damage is estimated at eight million dollars. The gasworks aro destroyed, and the city is thus left in darknepfl at night. On the evening of the 31st, earthquake shocks were also felt at Smyrna, while volcanic eruptions burst forth from a peak at the eastern end of the island of Galitra, off the Tunisian coast. Finally, shocks have occurred throughout Southern Italy, and at Malaga, slightly damaged several buildings, but not causing loss of life.