Rensselaer Union, Volume 9, Number 45, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 26 July 1877 — The Tidal Wave—A Night of Horror. [ARTICLE]

The Tidal Wave—A Night of Horror.

It was Wednesday evening, May 9, 1877. The day had beeii excessively close and foggy. The night was dark; lights were lit in the public and private places, and the streets were remarkably quiet. At 9:30, without noise of warning, the first perceptible shock of an earthquake was noticed, coming from the north and traveling southward. Gradually the force increased, with an oscillating movement of the earth, and, during the three minutes the first shock lasted, the reene was appalling. The bells rang out mournful notes of themselves; the umbers of the buildings crashed against each other with a horrible grinding sound; walls tumbled down, and, with the horrible din, men and women rushed forth from their habitations, screaming with terror, and occasionally a loud prayer for mercy would be heard. It was scarcely possible to keep on one s feet. The mind was bewiluered. and the darkness added to the awful effects of the surroundings. Other small shocks followed, but gradually the people began to recover their senses, and, with pallid, ghastly countenances, began to busv themselves in discovering their losses And the whereabouts of their friends, when suddenly flames broke forth from the ruins and shot high in the sky, illuminating the whole city. The alarm of fire was given, and men hurried to tne spot to prevent a spread of the conflagration. While thus engaged, the sea, which had been turbulent, was noticed to recede from the shore, and the cries of “ tidal wave!" resounded from ail quarters. Then a perfect panic took place. Over 6,*>00 men, women and children rushed screaming up the hillsides; mothers became separated from their children, husbands from wives, and even the lover forgot his betrothed in thuuabls of self preservation. Boon was heard, in the distance, mutterings of the mighty deep, which swelled into terrific, thundering, rolling sounds, and as the

wave nulled on ft gathered force with resistance. until it reached forty feet high. Dashing headlong upon the beach it rose and swept the city, tearing all before it In retracing its nath it carried with It dwellings, merchandise and all obstructions in its course. Twice was thia repeated—the iasf time with lest er force; and for many days after the sea rose and fell in, less proportions. When morning broke wljat a acene presented Itself, of devastation. That which the earthquake and fire had not destroyed, "haff succumbed to the tidal wave. The beach was stfe WD. with broken timbers of but {(lings • launches and boats had disappeared, goods were floatabout, fuswiaions W ,httir away, and the water-distilleries were useIdte. . .i Famine and thirst staredkthe people in the face, and what had" been ahappy .population twelve hours since Were reduced ♦o misery, want and suffering: Fortunately the Chill men-as-war hastened to the scene and supplied the place with water and provisions; andothdrsteamers,thanks to the prompt action of the Government of Chili, came in time to prevent farther disasters. This was but cne of the many heartrending scenes which occurred on the coast, from tlie effects of the eruption Of the volcano San Pedro.— Valparaiso (Chili) Cor. San Francisco Morning Call.