'' Wateree '' was enforcing the Monroe Doctrine following the 14 January 1866 Peruvian declaration of war against Spain , and moved south to Arica , Peru ( which would later become part of Chile ) to avoid a yellow fever epidemic in Callao . The 1868 Arica earthquake struck the city while '' Wateree '' was in port on 13 August 1868 . '' Wateree '' observed dust from the earthquake and collapsing buildings at 17:20 , but the sea remained calm as she sent a boat ashore to offer medical assistance . After the boats were ashore , a series of ten tsunamis struck . The first inward surge reached above the high tide line , and all ships anchored in the harbor went aground in the following outward flow . The following inward flow created a wave which snapped anchor chains and carried '' Wateree '' inland 3 miles ( 5 km ) north of Arica at 19:20 . The accompanying store ship USS '' Fredonia '' was destroyed , drowning all but two enlisted men and three officers who were on shore . However , on the Wateree the boatswain ashore was the only casualty . '' Wateree '' was intact and upright , and her crew provided stores and aid to the civilian population of Arica . The ship was considered too far inland to be salvaged , and was sold for $ 2,775 to Mr. William Parker on 21 November 1868 . Her hulk was used as an emergency hospital , an inn , a hospital again , and finally a warehouse . She was eventually completely destroyed by another tsunami on 9 May 1877
1868 Arica earthquake
1868 Arica earthquake
USS Wateree (1863)