Memorandum of events in connection with a visit to Kingston, Jamaica, after its destruction by earthquake and fire
Subject(s): Ames, Howard E., 1851-1918, Anderson, Edwin Alexander, 1860-1933, Cannibalism, Cuba--Guantánamo Bay Naval Base, Davis, C. H. (Charles Henry), 1845-1921, Disaster relief, Earthquake relief, Farnum, Annie Dexter, 1854-1938, Gleeson, Matthew C. (Matthew Carlin), 1870-1927, Hamburg-American Line, Humanitarian assistance, American, Indiana (Battleship : BB-1), Jamaica--Kingston, Jesuits, Pillage, Ridsdale, Kate, 1863-, Sisters of Mercy, Swettenham, James Alexander, 1846-1933, Swettenham, Mary Emily Copeland, 1875-1953, Tait, Charles Walter, 1839-1907, United States. Navy, Whipple (Destroyer)
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Lieutenant Gilmer of the USS Missouri provides a detailed description of the United States naval response to the January 14, 1907, earthquake in Kingston, Jamaica. Gilmer explains that the Navy landed in Kingston on January 17, setting up a hospital, landing forces, and providing aid. Gilmer describes the destruction of the city both from the earthquake and the subsequent looting and the various dead victims he sees and living victims he interacts with. After the governor of Jamaica asked the Navy to leave the island, Gilmer interacts with many who request that the Navy stay and insist they are badly needed. The Navy withdraws on January 19, back to Guantanamo Bay, Cuba.
Collection
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
Creation Date
1907-01-19
Creator(s)
Gilmer, James B. (James Blair), 1876-1963
Recipient
Roosevelt, Theodore, 1858-1919
Language
English
Period
U.S. President – 2nd Term (March 1905-February 1909)
Repository
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
Page Count
14
Production Method
Record Type
Multi-image
Resource Type
Rights
These images are presented through a cooperative effort between the Library of Congress and Dickinson State University. No known restrictions on publication.
Citation
Cite this Record
Chicago:
Memorandum of events in connection with a visit to Kingston, Jamaica, after its destruction by earthquake and fire. [January 19, 1907]. Library of Congress Manuscript Division.
https://www.theodorerooseveltcenter.org/digital-library/o55314. Theodore Roosevelt Digital Library. Dickinson State University.
MLA:
Gilmer, James B. (James Blair), 1876-1963. Memorandum of events in connection with a visit to Kingston, Jamaica, after its destruction by earthquake and fire. [19 Jan. 1907]. Multi-image.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division. Theodore Roosevelt Digital Library. Dickinson State University. April 6, 2026. https://www.theodorerooseveltcenter.org/digital-library/o55314.
APA:
Gilmer, James B. (James Blair), 1876-1963., [1907, January 19]. Memorandum of events in connection with a visit to Kingston, Jamaica, after its destruction by earthquake and fire.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division. Theodore Roosevelt Digital Library. Dickinson State University.
Retrieved from https://www.theodorerooseveltcenter.org/digital-library/o55314.
Cite this Collection
Chicago:
Library of Congress Manuscript Division. https://www.theodorerooseveltcenter.org/collection/library-of-congress-manuscript-division. Theodore Roosevelt Digital Library. Dickinson State University.
MLA:
Library of Congress Manuscript Division. Theodore Roosevelt Digital Library. Dickinson State University. April 6, 2026. https://www.theodorerooseveltcenter.org/collection/library-of-congress-manuscript-division.
APA:
Library of Congress Manuscript Division. Theodore Roosevelt Digital Library. Dickinson State University. Retrieved from https://www.theodorerooseveltcenter.org/collection/library-of-congress-manuscript-division.
