The New York Herald Newspaper, September 13, 1868, Page 3

APPALLING CA%AMITY, iiAbnincinnanhe di a Fearful Earthquakes in Peru, Chile and Ecuador. vibe Twenty Cities and Towns De- stroyed. Thirty-two Thousand Lives Lost. we eee Tho Destruction of Property Es mated at Three Hundrea Million Dollars. The United States Storeship Fre- donia Smashed to ? Atoms and All Her Crew Lost. The United States Man-of-War Wateree Carried on a Tidal Wave Half a Mile Inland. VOLCANIC ERUPTIONS IN PERU. Scenes and Incidents of the Ter- rible Calamity. By the arrival of the steamship Guiding Sar from Aspinwall we have received full particulars of the terrible eartuquakes in Peru, Chile, Ecuador and- along the west coast of South America, on the 13th of August, The scenes depicted by our correspond- ents are of the most appalling character. TEE EARTHQUAKE IN PERU. Eight Cities Destroyed—Great Loss of Life— Two American Men-of-War Lost—Reports from the .nterior—Lima and Callao Safe. Lima, August 22, 1863, On the 13th instant this unfortunate country was visited by the most terrible earthquake that ever has stricken horror in men’s hearts, At half-past five o'clock on that day, in the cities in the southern portion of the republic, @ fearful noise was heard, which fortunately served ag an alarm and enabled many people to flee to the nearest elevation. A few moments after the earth commenced to move visibly, ana the mo- tuon continued for four or five minutes, when the shock became so severe as to destroy buildings con- structed of the heaviest stone and cement. All along the southern coast the sea was terribly agitated, First the waters in the different bays and harbors rose toa tremendous height, and immedi- ately following came an enormous tidal wave, which, in the ports not having suMient elevation to resist the water, destroyed the towns and carried the shipping in some cases half a mile in shore, and deft them high and dry on the mainland. In the memory of man no earthquake so general and 60 devastating in its effects has occurred, and Lima to- @ay is but an assemblage of terror stricken and weeping people. Arequipa has ceased to exist. This famous city, of thirty-tive thousand inhabitants, built of the strongest granite and of the lava from the neighbor- ing volcano, now is a thing of the past. It has abso- utely been reduced to fragments. The strength of the buildings gave time for the population to make a hurried escape to the hills and plains in the vicinity, and the loss of life is estimated at about three hun- dred. All of the soldiers in hospital and the prison- ers confined in the jail were unable to flee, and were consequently crushed by the falling masses. Thus has passed away the town known as “fighting Are- quipa,” the Virginia of Peru and the mother of her Presidents. This loss is acutely felt in the capital, since the number of persons from the destroyed city sojourning in Lima is very great, and in the excite- ment and terror of the situation, the names of the dead and wounded have not been received here. Far more terrible has been the shock than that of Lisbon, many years ago, since this, in place of de- stroying one city, has ruined many and has caused a whole country to lament and mourn. The town of Arica, one of the most important ports of the republic, is also only to be remembered. This town, which contained nearly twelve thousand inhabitants, was visited at the same time by the same terrible phenomenon, and not one house is left standing. Here, asin Arequipa, the noise and pre- monitory symptoms of the calamity gave the people time to seek some place of safety, and by this provi- dence only five hundred lives were lost. The bay rose like a waterspout, the vessels moored there necessarily parting their anchor chains, and then, as at St, Thomas, a great tidal wave was formed, which, forty feet high and roaring like a whirlwind, precipitated itself on the devoted ships and carried them far into the mainiand, The United States storeship Fredonia was cap- sized and lost in oMfcers B. Dyer, second lieutenant; D. Organ, master; J. G. Cromwell, purser’s clerk; Mr. Slunt, secretary to the commander, and Mrs. Dyer, the wife of the lieutenant, with twenty-seven sailors, The Fredonia had nearly $1,800,000 worth of naval stores on board, which, of course, were en- tirely destroyed. In fact the ship was broken into fragments before she reached the land, and only ‘those officers who were, fortunately for themselves, on shore were saved, The United States steamer Wateree, Commander J. H. Gillis, was carried half a mile on land and, al- though not seriously injured, is considered by the captain in his oMcial report as lost to the service, the dimicuities of getting her to the beach being most insurmountabic. On this ship only one man. sailor, was drowned. Lieutenant Commander John- #0n, Of this vessel, was on shore endeavoring to save his wife and carvying her in his arms to some piace of security, when she was struck by a portion of a falling building and instantly killed, The Peruvian corvette America was carried on shore and is much in the same condition as the Wateree, The America lost her three chief officers with thirty sailors and mari The American merchantman Rosa Rivera, the Eng- lish ship Chanarcillo and the French bark Eduardo were totally lost. The great force of the upheaving of the waters of the bay set these vesssis all adrift, with the excep- tion of the Wateree, she dragging her anchors, and for several moments they were in incessant collision. ‘As said before, all the edifices inthis town were completely destroyed, and among them was the Custom House, containing more than four millions of dollare’ worth of goods, ali of which, of course, shared the same fate. Commander Gillis, after the disaster, endeavored to supply the wants of the people, liveraily dividing ‘with them the limited amount of provisions at his command, and alding the efforts of the populace to ameliorate their condition. His conduct is very highly spoken of by the authorities, and by his exer. tions many lives have been saved. Dr. Winsiow, Of this ship, and Dr. Dubois, of the Predonia, es- pecially distinguished themselves. ‘The towns of Iquique, Moquegua, Locnmba and Pisagua are also redaced to ruins. In the first named the rising of the sea destroyed more lives than did the earthquake iteeis at oer poibte; over six bun dred persons were drowned, and now people are perishing from th; want of water. The damage one is immense. The custom houses of Iquique 8,4 Arica have been totally ruined, and more thay, eight million dollars worth of property destroy ea in them alone, Tb’e loss of life is estimated at one thousand eight, bu'adred in all of the points definitely heard from, This morning an express has arcived from the great mineral province of Huancavelica, and reports that all of the cities of that department are reduced to ashapeless mass, We are waiting anxiously to hear from the southern cities of Puno and Cuzco, for the movement appeared to come from that direc- tion. and in all probability they bave suffered the same horrible catastrophe, The excitement in Lima on the receipt of this news was intense. Owing to the sparcity of details it was almost impossible to form at first an idea con- cerning the damage and loss of life; hut the recent news has convinced us that the injury done to property far exceeds that imagined, while the num- ber of lives lost is greatly under the estimate formed at first. The news, too, came an hour after this city had been electrified by the story of a terrible crime committed in ita limits, One of the belles of Lima, Miss Carmen Viduarri, the only danghter of a Chief Justice of the Superior Court, was assaulted in the open street by one of her servants, who had made dishonorable advances to her, and had been severely chastised in consequence by the father of the young lady, Miss Viduarri was stabbed twice Uy the ruman; but fortunately the steel bands of her corset prevented the infliction of mortal wounds, The would-be murderer was apprehended and con- veyed to prison. The young lady is considered in great danger, not so much from the severity of the wounds as on account of the fearful shock which her nervous system has received, This news natu- rally terrified Lima, and when an hour subse- quently the story of the earthquake arrived the agitation was very great, Wey. oy Mr. Meiggs nas suffered considerably. The port of Mollendo, where the materials for his railway were stored, was completely destroyed, and all the Tails, tools, provisions, &¢., deposited there thrown into inextricable confusion and ruin by the advance of the sea, Nevertheless, with his characteristic generosity, he has given $50,006 for the relief of the istressed, 2° eGR Fig. eee ee ae The reports of the condition of the sufferers are terrible. A famine is threatened and the govern- ment here, as well as private mercantile houses, are busy preparing to despatch vessels freighted with all necessary articles, Admiral Turner, in the United States flagship Powhatan, sails to-day for Arica to aid our unfortunate sailors there, and has generously offered to convey all the material possi- ble that the Peruvian government may wish to send. The different guano companies have come forward and subscribed $500,000 to aid the sufferers, Con- gress will soon make appropriations for the injured, and although the calamity is terrible for the mo- ment it will certainly give employment to many persons who while idle only think of plunging the country into civil war and killing by powder and ball those whose lives seem destined to be sacrificed by a higher and more fearful power. ~ On the 13th stant we also felt in Lima the most severe earthquake experienced in Peru for eight years, The duration of the movement was about three minutes and a half and the shock, instead of following the usual vertical motion, appeared to be lateral, and consequently was regarded as all the more dangerous. The aspect of the city during the movement was truly exciting. Every one in Lima, atthe first coming of the shock, always seeks the protection of an arch, or the threshold of a door is selected as a safe refuge, and on this occasion those favored spots were speedily occupied. In an incred- ably short space of time the great public plaza was filled with frightened men, women and children, and, as if by common instinct, all assumed a sup- pliant position—every one on their knees—and the air resonant with the shrieks, Jamentations and petitions, addressed principally to Heaven; the houses shook visibly and the high towers of the cathedral swayed to and fro like a ship’s masts in a storm. The great length of the shock was particularly alarming; but fortunately no damage took place in this city; but Callao, the unfortunate, the bombarded, pest ridden, revolutionized city, suffered terribly. The earth- quake was felt severely there, and the people, re- membering the great calamity of 1753, hastened to place themselves beyond the reach of danger. At ten o'clock at night the sea commenced to become agitated, and shortiy after that hour a tremendous wave burst over the line of houses edging the shore, and in some cases completely gutted them of their contents, The panic wasextreme. Not one thought was given to the preservation of property; but all endeavors were directed to personal safety. Yet no lives were lost. Throughout the night the sea con- tinued thus, and the ships were swung in ail direc- tions by the force of the different currents. Several vessels collided, but no damage of importance took place. The men-of-war and steamers left the dan- gerous neighborhood of the bay, and proceeded out to sea, waiting for daylight and quiet. The next day passed quietly, but Callao was doomed to suffer still greater misfortunes. During ihe night fire was discovered proceeding from a ho- tel situated in the centre of the business portion of the town, and despite the unremitting labors of the troops, police, fire engines sent from Lima, and of the citizens, the conflagration was not overcome until fifty-seven houses and stores had been utterly destroyed and a loss of a million and 4 haif of hard dollars inflicted upon the unfortunate victims. Colonel Balta, with his Ministers, was soon at the post of danger, directing and superintending the operations, and the fire companies, composed of French and Italian volunteers, acted nobly. To their exertions is due the salvation of Callao, and a motion is to be introduced in Congress to make them @ public testimonial of the national gratitude. In these occurrences no loss of life took place. One incident happened which is well worth men- tioning, and which clearly shows the spirit of the Peruvian soldiers, Two guards were stationed on the mole, and although when the immense wave was seen approaching, and threatening death to all, every person in the vicinity fed in terror, these two soldiers remained at their posts, and, though over- whelmed and buffeted by the water, still continued impassably performing their duty, waiting, as they afterwards said, for rettef, ‘The effect of the earthquake along the immediate southern and northern coasts has been very severe. The Chinchas and the cities of Ica and Pisco, on the adjacent mainiand, were handled roughly, and in Ica more than forty houses were overthrown, The number of lives lost at that place will not exceed twelve. The guano has not been injured, Ali the churches in the capital are thronged with persons praying for the Divine mercy, and the almost entire population of Callao have left their homes end are seeking eafety in this city. The business houses of Lima have lost very heavily owing to the destruction of their branches along the coast, The house of William Gibbs ons lose more than $1,000,000. The government estimates the damage done to cities and private property at three hundred million dollars. Money and aid have already veen despatched to the scene of the calamity. Subscriptions are opened in Lima, all the establishments for making bread, crackers, &c., have been placed at the disposal of the government, and many private citizens have given large amounts for the relief af the ruined people. To those who have never felt a severe earthquake the first experience of the movement is particularly alarming. The foreigners here regard these convul- sions with extreme dread and disgust, and, like all invisible foes, the terror caused by it is extreme, Your correspondent, rather accustomed to the shocks, could devote his attention to his neighbors, and saw strong men actually made seasick, if the term may be used, by the effects of the movement. The pious people of Callao, acting according to their faith and traditions, carried to the sea tn solemn procession the eMfgy of “our Lord of the Waters,” and there by the shore fervently begged for the clemency of Heaven; yet it seemed that nature's forces had not been entirely exhausted, for shortly afterwards other waves, like the first great one, burst with violence over the dock—not, however, with the same violence, and causing only fright in place of injury. The terrible memories of the destruction of Callao | jn sue laat century aad she Wore Feceut recollection NEW YORK HEPALD, SUNDAY, SEPTEMBER 13, 1868.—IRIPLE SHEET. of the dis@ter at Mendoza in 1860 are sufficient to keep 08 “aoroughiy alarmed, 5 No Political or business movements have taken plac‘z; indeed, our minds are filled and our hearts Voubled with the awful events of the past fortnight. Zs ° Additional Particulars of the Terrible Barth- quake—Measures of Assistance—The Loss ef the Wateree and Fredonia—Noble Con- duct of the Foreigners —Subsecriptions in Aid ot the Ralireem, ‘LMA, August 28, 1868.” ~ Although the recent earthquake was very terrible in its effects along the coast, and in the immediately interior towns of the South, yet Cuzco and Puno, the great Indian metropoles of that region, escaped unharmed. We have received intelligence from those places, and although the shock was felt yet no damage ensued. It is known that the force of this earthquake extended as far south as Talcahuano, in Chile, and north about one hundred and fifty Mniles from this place. So many theories are discussed concerning the origin of this catastrophe that the Peruvian philo- sophers cannot fix upon a definite point from whence © argue, None of the numerous volcanoes in the southern portion of the republic are active, and it is dificult to locate the source of @ movement that is felt at La Paz, Bolivia, that casts a huge wave over the southern porta of Chile, together with those of Callao and Arica, and finally destroys the town of Arequipa, more than one hundred miles from the sea, All the reports given to the HERALD in my last letter have been corroborated, The cities of Arequipa, Arica, Moquegua, Iquique, with the large towns of Sama, Locumba, Nasca, Ilo, Chala, Mexil- lones, Pisagua, with a large number of smaller ones, together with a great many isolated villages, estates and factories, are entirely destroyed—by entirely is to be understood that the ruin is complete, and those buildings not demolished by the shock received such rough handling as to cause their immediate destruc- tion necessary. The loss of life and property cannot now be correctly estimated, nor will it until the exact investigations and surveys be made by the parties appointed by the government here for that purpose. It is roughly conjectured that more than three hundred miilion dollars’ worth of property has been destroyed, and that more than two thousand persons have perished from the effects of the catas- trophe, at The government, a8 will be seen from the follow- ing details, has done everything possible for the alleviation of the terrible disaster, and Peruvians and foreigners have nobly contended in their charitable efforta, Peru has suffered great calami- ties in her short existence as a nation; revolutions and pestilence have carried off many of her chil- dren; but the fearful memory of the 13th of August, 1868, will turn to blank all the other events in her history that inspire terror or distress, - =. The old proverb about the arrival of misfortunes is being actively verified in this unhappy country. As I mentioned in my last correspondence the govern- ment, immediately on the receipt of the disastrous news from the South, commenced loading the corvette Union with provisions and clothing for the relief of the distressed. This vessel was the only one available at that moment, and after having received a complete cargo commis- sioners were sent on board with a large sum of money to be expended in humane endeavors towards the alleviation of the calamity. A corps of doctors were embarked, together with a body of engineers, destined for Iquique, there to repair the machines for manufacturing water, whose destruction had left the population of that city in terrible straits, The expedition was under the command of the Minister of the Interior, and the ship sailed on the morning of the 22d. About twenty miles dis- tant from Callao it was discovered that the vessel was making water at the rate of eighteen inches per minute, and only the invaluable exertions of the engineers on board prevented her total loss. She was obliged to return to Callao, and after having transshipped @ large portion of her cargo, was re- paired, declared seaworthy, and sailed for Islay on the 24th. This incident naturally caused great con- sternation and distress. In the meantime a French man-of-war and the United States ship Powhatan had left for the scene of the calamity, laden with all sorts of stores for the desolate and starving people. The press and public opinion here laud to the skies, and very justly too, the generous and humane conduct of the American ‘Minister in Lima, General Hovey, and Admiral Tur- ner, in so promptly taking measures which must re- sult in great good. The government is busily engaged in still forward- ing all manner of assistance to the South, and the agent of the English Steam Company in Callao has not only placed two vessels at the disposal of Colonel Balta, but has aiso reduced the fare one-half of the voyage toand from the ruined ports, so that all who have friends there and those who have suf- fered so terribly may voyage without serious incon- venience. A second French man-of-war, the Mégére, is also loading rapidly, and will immediately pro- ceed to Arica. All of these vessels, in addition to clothing, provisions and necessaries of life, carry large sums of money furnished by the government, and commissioners named to regulate and distribute the succors. Private individuals are also chartering ships at their own expense to convey stores of all kinds to the South, and Mr. Alvarez Calderon, a rich merchant here, has already expended over $150,000 in charity of this kind. The President has issued a proclamation, caiing on all to come forward in this supreme hour of the country’s grief and contribute to the general fund of charity. He says to the people of the South that his first impuise was to fly to their assistance, but on reflection he has determined to remain in Lima, and considers that by being here, always working with the co-operation of Congress and the liberal people of Lima, he can be of more real service. Congress, indeed, has proved itself worthy of its high mission. It immediately passed a law, by a unanimous vote, giving the President un- limited power in all relating to the succor of the South, and is now making appropriations and tak- ing all the steps necessary for a speedy alleviation of the effects of the catastrophe, The Archbishop has published @ pastoral, in which he stimulates the faithful to prove their devotion to the sublime precepts of their Master and to sustain the well merited fame for charity that Peruvians have always borne. Indeed, with all the fauits these people may have in political matters there is no de- nying that in times like these, “that try men's souls,” they have shown themselves*to be liberal and generous to a degree equalled by few examples in our own days or in those now past by. They merit uryversal praise. The activity displayed in Lima by all classes, from the government tothe humblest laborer, is worthy of all admiration and respect. The benevolent society here have sent a commission to the desolated region to find and bring to Lima alli tne children under eight years of age who haye been made orphans by the catastrophe. The children on their arrival here will be placed in the spacious hospitals of the society, and will be carefully brought up, The different religious associations and communities have already raised large subscriptions and will throw open their buildings and convents on the arrival of the helpless, The ladies throughout the city are busily making shirts, dresses, &c., for the people who have been left in such a sad condition, and the merchants are sending to the depots established for the purpose great quantities of dry goods, salt, provisions, &¢., which will be despatched instantly to the amicted South, An illustration of the general charity may be taken from this incident: One of. the largest barber shops in the city has opened a book where its customers inscribe their names and give the half of the usual fee charged by the barber to the fund being raised for the assistance of the needy sufferers. Every workman gives his mite with a generous spirit. All the foreign ministers resident in Lima have addressed notes of condolence to the government, and those, like the American and French, who could aid the country by the offer of ships, have done so. The English and Italian residents are holding meetings to devise means for assist ing their own countrymen who may have suffered. We have #0 few American citizens out here that it would be almost tmpossibie to take any concerted action that Would lead to really beneficial results; still each American, in his own sphere, is working braveiy. One, Mr. Rosenawig, of Callao, | sold the government 4 large auautity of biscuit and “very anxious concerning the fate of their friends ship bread, and only consented to receive a smal! portion of the payment, making the remainder a gift, and others have aided the country in various eMcient manners, The flags on the different lega- tions and consulates have been at half mast, and the churches throughout the capital opened and thronged with people during the past week. Although the re- ports are tolerably full, yet many persons are still and relatives in the desolated districts, since from the very nature of the occurrence it is almost impos- sible to discover the corpses for a great length of time, from the fact of their being buried under heavy masses of stone and rubbish, The evil disposed portion of the community are taking advantage of the consternation which reigns supreme t© commit all descriptions of crime and outrage. A party of robbers penetrated into the city at seven o'clock a night or two since, and enter- ing some grocery shops in the very heart of the town boldly commenced their work of pillage. In this they were surprised by the police, and a lively’ musketry engagement ensued, in which the robbers, though prevented from carrying off any booty, came out victorious, killing two of the police and making their escape, Several incendiary fires have occurred, doubtless started by some rufMfans who de- sire to attract the attention of the public to one quarter of the town while they rob and murcer in another. It is understood that Colonel Balta has expressed his determination to inflict severe punishment on these malefactors, and he has given orders to the police to kill as many as possible in any combats which may take place, as the laws of Peru allow no capital punishment, wt ‘The young lady whose attempted assassination I mentioned in my last letter is now pronounced out of danger. The would-be murderer was very nearly killed by his fellow captives in the jail out of pure abhorrence, and it was found necessary to place him in a separate cell, . . aw ‘The details of the fogs of the United States ships Fredonia (toreship) and Wateree have been commu- nicated to your correspondent by one of the three surviving officers of the former. The two vessels were lying at anchor in the bay of Arica when the first signs of the earthquake were noticed. Of course the consternation on board was very great, and after the shock of the movement on shore had Gisappeared, the captain, doctor and pay- master of the Fredonia went in @ small boat to land, desiring to learn the fate of their friends and acquaintances and offer the services of the ship. Just then the tremendous upheaving of the bay took place, and the Fredonia, parting her anchor chains, was at the mercy of the currents, and after driving wildly around in circles for some moments was dash- ed literally to pieces on a reef. Nothing of the vessel was saved, and the twenty-seven men com- posing her oMcers and crew, together with Mrs. Dyer, the wife of the lieutenant in command, were all lost. The Wateree, more securely moored, dragged her anchors and was swept by the great tidal wave four hundred and fifty yards mland, about two miles north of the ruined town. There she now lies, be- tween two hillocks of sand, apparently waiting for the water to restore her to her accustomed element. It will be impossible to extricate her from her situa- tion, and the Admiral is hopeful only of saving her battery and stores, The ship was very slightly in- jured and lost only one man, a sailor. ‘ The United States steamers Kearsarge, Nyack and Powhatan are at Arica, endeavoring to save some- thing from the Wateree. The Kearsarge was the first provisioned vessel to arrive at Arica, She came from Coquimbo, Incidents of the Earthquake at Chala and Caldera—A British Vessel Washed Over a Clim, Copia, Atigust 21, 1868, On the 16th of August 1 was staying in Valparaiso, where the air had lately been so hot and oppressive that a volcanic outbreak was generally anticipated. That same day information reached us that the sea had invaded both Concepcion and Tomé, two ports in the south of Chile, doing considerable damage to the stores. and dwelling houses and occasion- ing several shipwrecks. Towards evening of the 17th I left Valparaiso in the steamer Palta for Callao, On the 19th, about two o'clock in the afternoon, we arrived in Caldera, and here letters from up North came to hand which filled usall with terror and consternation. The whole west coast, as far as information was then reaching, had expe- rienced a terrific earthquake, and in many places had been submerged by the sea rising above its habitual level. Cobija, Arica, Islar Mejillones, Iquique, No, Pisco, Pisagua, the Chinchas and Chala, are said to have all been more or less suf- fering. The brother of one of our passengers came on board and congratulated him for being safe and sound. His business had been entirely destroyed. The Pacitic Steam Navigation Company's steamer Santlago has escaped destruction as by a miracle, She was coming down from Callao and on the after- noon of the 13th found herself in the port of Chala, whence her captain writes as follows:— We were safely anchored in the bay, when sud- denly a shock was felt which made us all believe we had got upon @ rock. The passengers, terrified, came crowding around me and wanted to know what was the matter, The next moment our craft shook and twisted as if it had been made of India rubber, and almost at the same time we were thrown off our feet and fell to the deck I was just asking our agent to come along with me and take a glass of brandy and water to re- com himself, when our chains snapped asun- der like thin wire and the receding water carried us sea. We had suficient steam up to make an pt atescape, but the next moment an enor- mous Wave swept us resistiessly towards the shore and threw us clear over the cliff into the chan- nel beyond, Not tll then did we succeed in making our escape, which was truly a miraculous one. Arica is in ruins, the waves cover Chala, a small part of Iquique only has been saved and no- body knows how far North the devastation may reach, a8 DO news has yet arrived from Callao, * Having gone on shore in Caldera we soon met refugees from the North, among others @ German photographer from Arica, who had been there at the time the catastrophe occurred and lost all his pro- perty. The town council of Copiapo was collecting provisions to succour the sufferers and the United ‘States steamer Kearsage was getting ready to pro- ceed North, At Iquique, where all the condensing machines had been destroyed, great scarcity of water was said to be prevailing. ‘aldera also had experienced some heavy shocks and most of the inhabitants were on their way to the mountains. Nothing serious, however, occurred, The German photographer related the following:— On the afternoon of the 15th, shortly after five o'clock, | was busy at my house developing some pictures, when several shocks of earthquake were felt in rapid succession. My Chilean assistant, shar- ing the terror nearly ail his countrymen have of vol- canic outbreaks, rushed into the street and I was just about following him to induce him to return, when the earthquake became so violent that a sensa- tion akin to giddiness overcame me. Having reached the street I felt the ground moving under me as if I had been afoat. From that time [remember but lit- tle. I just recollect the falling of the church steeple at the moment I arrived on the market place. I clambered up over the fast falling houses and, the foaring waters behind me, made straight for the mountains, It was the most perfect picture of the flood you can imagine; my hair was fairly standing on end, Everywhere lamentations and despair. Mothers seeking their littie oncs and wives without their husbands, Everybody was glad to escape safe and sound, for all around the most frightful mutilations might be witnessed. On the mountains near the coast we spent a wretched and anxious night, ter- rifled by the ever recurring shocks of earthquake, of which we counted more than thirty, Next morning nothing was to be seen of our dwellings, The town was one great heap of rubbish; not @ single street could be recognized. All T saved out of my property was a riding whip, which chance returned to me, Atthe time of my departure on board the English steamer thirty-seven dead bodies had been discovered. Having taken in @ considerable amount of coal and as much water 4s we could to assist the people in Iquique we again went to sea late in the evening. Immense Losses at Iquique=Thé Grent Sen Bore. Cortsa, August 21, 1968, Farly this morning we arrived in Cobija, where we met the Chilean war steamer Covadonga. We have not yet arrived upon the scene of the disaster, for Iquique we passed in the night. Nevertheless we are in possession of reliable informa. wen from that piace, for peveral of ite former inhabitants came on board and the Chilean commander went thither but yesterday, having takea up some provisions, Three-fourth parts are in ruins, many lives lost and hunger and thirst general, The loss of one single German house (Gildemeister & Co.) amounts to $400,000, In Iquique the earthquake took place seventeen minutes Past five, lasting four minutes and twenty seconds before it experienced the least Interruption. After this the sea receded about three-quarters of a mile, 80 as to leave the island facing the town entirely dry. In this manner an enormous wave was formed, which presently advanced against the shore like a wall. It rose to the height of fully sixty degrees, and came in a southwesterly direction, breaking down and scattering everything that came in its way. Heavy Ordnance Swept Inland of the Forts Sickening Sighte Amid the Ruins. “Arica, August 22, 1868, We have the effects of the earthquake before us. The sight defies description, Arica, which, so to speak, but yesterday numbered seven thousand n- habitants, is to-day one vast heap of ruins, and a beggared multitude is standing helplessly on the beach. So thorough has been the work of destruction that the very owners of houses are unable to find the spot where they once stood; so 'terrific has been the force of the convulsed waters that they have swept away the heavy cannon mounted on the island battery, and thrown them high up the shore, where they now lie buried in the sand. Four vessels, of which two are splendid war steamers, are high and dry; the Fredonia (United States storeship) was lost with all haads but two, while the brig Cha- fiarcillo lost eight men, The launch of the America was lost, with forty-two lives, while the United States steamer Wateree lost but oné, Railroad rails, cars, machinery, gun car- Tlages, household furniture, baby linen, chests and barrels, dead animals and mutilated corpses were lying about in chaotic disorder. The stench was sickening. Here also the first and most fatal shock took place shortly after five, and was speedily suc- ceeded by the rising of the sea, which overstepped its accustomed limits by at least fifty feet. More than three hundred lives have been lost. Tacna and Are- quipa also, the latter a town of the interior, number- ing upwards of forty tnousand inhabitants, have been terribly visited, The shocks are even now continuing, though feebly, To the earthyuake was soon added a general conflagration, and what the fury of the elements spared was destroyed by the drunken and infuriated rabble, who broke open every store and liquor keg. A town after hav- ing been sacked does not present @ spectacle nearly 80 horrible as the one before us; yet a few flowers were still blossoming in a half-buried garden that bore witness to the care its former owners had be- stowed upon it. Everything had fallen as it had been left, I could not help being deeply impressed by what Isaw, Letters, checks and merchandise lay scattered everywhere, the intoxicated guards pro- tecting property but indifferently. As far north as information reaches rushes the destruction, Its ex- tent cannot be judged till we arrive at Callao, it by an Eye Witness at Arequipa. AREQUIPA, August 16, 1868, At about four minutes past five P. M., last Thursday, the 13th, a slight movement of the earth was noticeable here by persons who chanced to be Seated; there was no rumbling. In about eight to ten seconds more the movement became strong enough for persons not seated to notice. This move- ment gradually increased in strength until, after about thirty seconds, pieces of timber began to fall from the honses. In about @ minute all were satis- fled that @ great earthquake was at hand, Then began a terrible rumbling, similar to the noise of an avalanche—every one ran to the open spaces. It seemed as if the earth was about to open; the earth shook and every structure swayed to and fro from north to south. It seemed in my own house as if the walls were about to meet and smother us. In about three minutes the soil shook ‘80 that it was almost impossible to hold one’s feet. The strongest buildings began then to cast off stones, bricks, pieces of wood, &c., and the weakest began to fall, almost all of them level with the ground. In about five minutes from the first movement the whole city was enveloped in clouds of dust and darkness, and resounded with the crash of falling buildings. There is not one house left standing in Arequipa. The only church tower left is that of Santa Catalina, but it, like the cathedral, will have to be pulled down. Santa Domingo church is down to the ground, The Portal de Flores is all down, as well as al) the surrounding blocks. Nearly all the inmates of the prison and hospitals perished, Many persons are known to have been crushed to death in the streets, We are now living in a tent on the river bank. No one dares go to town, as the shocks still continue to bring down what little is left standing. They occur at intervals of half an hour each. This evening some of the shocks have been very violent. So far there have been about seventy-six shocks up to eight P.M. The river Paucarpata has changed to three colors, which makes us believe that the volcanoes are at work. Everything is confusion, and the cries and lamentations that we hear are heartrending. Thus the work of the Arequipenos for three hundred years has been destroyed in a few minutes; it will take five hundred years to do the same work over, The débris of the Jesuits’ church ‘was hurled to a distance of one hundred yards. The picture presented by our desolate city is sad indeed. God grant that our fears be not realized, for Mount Misti is vomiting lava, clouds of smoke and quantities of mud, and darkness hides its belch- ing from our view. We hear the constant noise of falling rocks and earth, and the river is impassaple, owing to its black color and sulphurous odor, Accor THE EARTHQUAKE IN ECUADOR. Thirty Thousand Lives Lost and a Number of Towne Destroyed. AYAQUIL, August 26, 1968, On the 16th of the present month there occurred in the provinces of Pichincha and Imbabura a tre- mendous earthquake, unequalled in the history of Ecuador. The towns of Ibarra, capital of the pro- vince of Imbabura, San Pablo, Atuntaqui, Imantad, &c., are in ruins, Where Gotacachi was is now a lake, In Ibarra, Otovalo and Cotocacht, almost the entire population has perished. In Quito the earth- quake and its effects have been proportionately Jess, but the buildings are so much injared that the slightest movement will throw them down. There are already in ruins the church and convent of San Augustin, the two churches of Seflora del Carmen, the towers of the cathedral and San Marcos, the college of San Luis, &c. The towers of the other churches, the government palace and many private houses have been all cracked, and are momentarily threatening to fall to pieces. The towns adjoining Quito, as Perucho, Puellaro and Cachiguanjo have almost entirely disappeared. The number of deaths in Quito has fortunately been very smail, but in the other towns it is calculated that not less than 20,000 have perished. The few who are left unin- Jured in these places have been unable to assist those remaining alive or dying under the ruins, and have been obliged to fly from the stench of the dead bodies which commenced to putrify and infest the atmos- phere, Letters from Quito bring dates to the 19th, up to which time the earthquakes continued at in- tervals of afew hours. It has been impossible yet to obtain data as to the cause of the terrible pheno. mena; sume attribute it to the volcano of Aguaiongo and other to Cayambe. ‘The news which has been received in Guayaquil up tothe sailing of the steamer has been forwarded under the influence of great fright, and probably May not be quite correct. The next steamer will convey fuller accounts, but they may be even worse, for in Quito nothing was known of the fate of the neighboring towns either of Eucador or Colombia, ‘The venerable patriot Teodore Gomez de la Torre ‘was saved in a most miraculous manner in Ibarra, where scarcely @ soul was left alive, but he escaped sadly injured, His brother Francisco was equally fortunate. but Don José Maria, their brother, per- ished with all his family, Sefor Valenzuela, Mints. ter of Colombia, remains in Guayaquil, having re- solved not to continue his journey to the interior at present. In Guayaquil the earthquake was felt at various times between the 13th and 16th, and another at a later date, but it did no damage. The first lasted forty or fifty seconds, the direction being from east to west and the movement regular and sow, It is 3 ~——— expected that there has heen immense damage done in Esmeralda, Aletter from Quito states that a terrible earth- quake had, at twenty minutes Past one A, M., on the 16th inst., convulsed that republic, resulting in the complete destruction of Itaburo, Tharra, Otavalo and Cotocachi, The loss of life was estimated close upon 30,000, Quito had been more tenderly dealt with although it had been shaken considerably and soma twenty lives lost. The populace had deserted their dwellings anda were living in tents in the equares and open spaces about the city, ite=Denth of Most oi Citizens, the Wealthy QuiTo, August 19, 1868, At twenty minutes past one o'clock on the morn- ing ofthe 16th inst. a violent earthquake occurred in this capital, The churches and public buildings have suffered considerably, being for the most part in ruins, and the private dwellings are seriously in- jured, The greatest consternation continues to per- vade all classes, as since the 16th there have been repeated shocks, more or less intense, and few dwell- ing houses are considered to be safe, The inhabi- tants are congregated in and about the large squares, into the middle of which they rush on the slightest alarm. Most of the principal families have fled the city and have gone in a southern direction, where the effects of the earthquake were least feit. ‘The news from the north of the republic is most dreadful. The townsof Ibarra, Otavalo, Pinicho, San Antonio, &o., with nearly ali the haciendas (farms) in the province of Imbabura, have been completely destroyed, and the number of deaths is computed at between twenty and thirty tliousand. No such earth- quake has occurred in America during the present century, with the exception of that of Mendoza ip 1861, mn o In consequence of the repeated and constant oscil- lation of the earth, and the consequent insecurity of the dwelling houses, [have with my family taken up my quarters in a tent in the middle of the square. It is not yet ascertained the number of deaths here| as the ruins have not yet been cleared, but fortun- ately they are not considered to be many, The vol- cano which has caused these disasters is believed to be the Cotopaxi, situated inthe province of Imba- bura, at about fifteen leagues, as the crow files, from Quito. We have already heard of the death of the members of most of the rich families of Quito. THE EARTHQUAKE IN CHILE. The Shocks at Talcnahuano and Tome—Dee struction of Two Towns by the Sen. VALPARAISO, August 17, 1868. Since my last communication we have received very startling news from the South. Talcahuano, a flouristiing port on the Southern coast, has been nearly swallowed up by the sea. At nine o'clock on the night of the 14th inst. three earthquakes were felt very sensibly, and the second of these agitated the sea to such an extent as to cause it to rise and sweep, in a great wave, over the town. The damage done will amount to $300,000, and four lives wera lost in the catastrophe. At the approach of the sea the inhabitants, panic stricken, fled to the hills and adjacent eminences, and from thence witnessed the destruction of their property by the invincible enemy. Ina few moments ‘the waves retired to their old position, but half the town was carried away, and the remaining portion rendered almost uninhabita- ble, Provisions and stores of all kinds for the suf- ferers are pouring into the town. In Tomé the same phenomenon took place; the town, however, being somewhat higher than Talca- huano, did not suffer as great a damage. In Valpa raiso a heavy sea swept towards the shore, but, for- tunately, caused no injury whatever. The port of Constitucion suffered similarly to Talcahuano; seve- ral small coasting vessels were driven on shore and five men drowned, The town was not greatly dam- aged. The Wreck of the United States and Peruse vian War Vessela—Description of the Ves= wele—Nawmes of the Officers and Crews Killed, ‘Wounded and Saved. In the unparalleled earthquake which visited the South American republics of Chile and Peru, com- mencing on the 13th ult., the destruction to the ship- ping and the loss of life in several of the harbors along the coast was dreadful in the extreme. Some of the vessela were totally destroyed and their oM- cers and crews either killed or drowned, FREDONIA. The United States storeship Fredonia was totally destroyed, and all hands, with the exception of five, were lost. The lost vessel was at anchor in the bay of Arica when the tremendous convulsion occurred, She belonged to the South Pacifle squadron, was a snip of six guns and 800 tons burden. she was purchased by the United States govern- ment in 1846, and has been employed as a store- ship for our navy in the Pacific for anumber of years back, She was formerly stationed in the harbor of Valparaiso, but some time since was ordered to Cal- lao, where she was made the depot for receiving supplies for the squadron. The Fredonia, as pre- viously stated, was at Arica when the earthquake which caused such destruction occurred, NAMES OF THE LOST. The following are the names of those who were aboard the Fredonia at the time she was destroyed, all of whom were lost:—Oliver Cromwell, J. M. Hunt, Radolph Bergstecke, Nicho'as Schravesand, George Bender, Charies White, Sylvester Huggins, August Muller, Simon Jaune, John Lamback, John Smith, William Kreu, Henry Hazenburg, William Peterson, Richard Murray, Charles Haderborn, Jacob King, Peter Johnson, Henry Johnson (the latter were brothers), Henry Voss, Henry Sillen, Hans Hol:n,° Charles Shoemaker, John Hickens and Benjamin Dyer and his wife. THOSE SAVED. The names of those who were saved. they being fortunately on shore at the time of the (isaster, were:—George W. Doty, W. N. Williams, PF. L. Da- bois, Charles Leville and August Jansen. WATERER. ‘The United States vessel Wateree was also In the bay of Arica at the same time, and, although not de- stroyed, she has been driven such a distance on shore by the sudden rise of the water that it is ques tionable if she can be got aftoat again. ‘This vessel was a sidewheel steamer of fourteen guna, con- structed of tron and was 974 tons. She was built at Chelsea, Pa., in 1868, was launched on the 12th of August of that year and ranked third rate, She satled for the Pacific Ocean April 8, 1804, and has been tached to the United States squadron in these waters Oniy one of her crew has been lost, The following js @ list of her offic all of whom are well:—James H, Gillis, Commander! M. L. Johnson, Lieutenant Commander; Ezra Acting Volunteer Lieutenant; ‘Samuel and Alfred Weston, Actin as: ite and Join Braun, Acting Lnsigns; k, Mate; George F. Winslow, Passed A R.L. B ee Paymaster; Jame: . Sprague, First Assistant Engineer; Robert B, Hine, Second Assistant Engineer; Boyce Wilso: Acting Second Assistant Engineer, and J. Wyckud Lyons, Acting Third Assistant Engineer. THR PRRUVIAN STEAM CORVETTR AMERICA. This vessel is situated pretty much in the same condition as the Wateree, the tidal wave which de- stroyed the Fredonia having carried her on shore, All her officers aud crew have been either killed ot wounded, KILLED. Commander M. J. yes, Lieatenants Carlos Her rera and vemetrio Ferryros, Surgeon Manual Ro- man and thirty of the crew. WOUNDED, Second Lientenant J. M. Videla, in the spine; En: rique Rojas, marine, leg fractured; James G. White hi third engineer, foot broken; Emuleaus Nifio, marine, dislocation of the foot, and twenty of the crew. VINGINIA MILITARY INSTITUTE, Installation of M. F. Maury as Professor of Physics, On the morning of September 10 ex-Commodore M. F. Maury, formerly of the United States Navy, was formally installed as Professor of Physics of the Virginia Military institute. The ceremony too’ place in front of General Francis H. Smith's quar- ters, in the presence of the Washington College and that of the Military Institute to which the accom- lished mariner has been (°e appointed to fila rofessor’s chair. General Smith pronounced ® co. eulogy on the career, altainments and !a- rs of the newly appointed professor, and allyded to the distinctions which he had received (rom the or ‘and distinguished men of European na& ions aa acknowledgments of his superior —— Governor Letcher presented the commission and dressed afew brief sentences on the importance of the position to which the ex-Commodore had been elevated. These concluded, Provesnoe, ee, de livered an extended commentary on the sciences, after which the ceremonies were brought to a close, patientcnintcemsntihasi es Tae Coumentpaw stock Yaros.—During the past week 158 cars arrived at the stock yards, containing 8,325 h 3,002 sheep and 86 horses, Here were ugniered during the same time 26 cattle,’,417 hogs and 4100 sheen.