...the low-lying parts of the coast: Shortly after the [earthquake] shock, a great wave was seen from a distance of three or four miles, approaching in the...irresistible force. At the head of the bay it broke into a fearful line of white breakers, which rushed up to a height of 23 vertical feet above the highest...

...habit, during trifling shocks, of crawling to a certain door-way, was this time crushed to pieces. Shortly after the shock a great wave was seen from...the shore it tore up cottages and trees as it swept onward with irresistible force. At the head of the bay it broke in a fearful line of white breakers,...

...each litde trembling of the ground, with one hand they beat their breasts and cried 'misericordiaf and then with the other filched what they could from...approaching in the middle of the bay with a smooth oudine; but along the shore it tore up cottages and trees, as it swept onwards with irresistible force....

...Concepcion's port city of Talcahuano. Darwin described the tsunami in his book Voyage of the Beagle: Shortly after the shock, a great wave was seen from the distance of three or four miles [5 or 6 kilometers], approaching in the middle of the bay with a smooth outline; but along the shore...