The Great Wave
Must Have Travelled Slowly, For The Inhabitants Of Talcahuano
Had Time To Run Up The Hills Behind The Town; And
Some Sailors Pulled Out Seaward, Trusting Successfully To Their
Boat Riding Securely Over The Swell, If They Could Reach It
Before It Broke.
One old woman with a little boy, four or
five years old, ran into a boat, but there was nobody to row
it out:
The boat was consequently dashed against an anchor
and cut in twain; the old woman was drowned, but the child
was picked up some hours afterwards clinging to the wreck.
Pools of salt-water were still standing amidst the ruins of
the houses, and children, making boats with old tables and
chairs, appeared as happy as their parents were miserable.
It was, however, exceedingly interesting to observe, how
much more active and cheerful all appeared than could have
been expected. It was remarked with much truth, that from
the destruction being universal, no one individual was humbled
more than another, or could suspect his friends of coldness
- that most grievous result of the loss of wealth. Mr. Rouse,
and a large party whom he kindly took under his protection,
lived for the first week in a garden beneath some apple-trees.
At first they were as merry as if it had been a picnic; but
soon afterwards heavy rain caused much discomfort, for they
were absolutely without shelter.
In Captain Fitz Roy's excellent account of the earthquake,
it is said that two explosions, one like a column of smoke and
another like the blowing of a great whale, were seen in the
bay.
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