Buildings--Earthquake effects

Navy Medical Inspector Ames writes a narrative to Admiral Davis relating the events that unfolded when he arrived in Kingston, Jamaica, to provide medical relief after the earthquake. Ames found the city of Kingston to be absolutely demolished, and the populace to be in a “dazed, frightened, and nervous condition.” When Ames offers medical assistance and advice to Governor James Alexander Swettenham, the assistance is refused, and the suggestions denied, with the exception of some limited supplies for which the governor is thankful. Because both Ames and Davis, among others, found that the official city response was lacking, Davis informed Governor Swettenham that the naval medical officers would establish an independent hospital that would serve everyone “irrespective of age, sex, creed, or nationality.” The Jesuit fathers gave their cottage in Winchester Park as the site of the hospital, and they were able to treat many injured people with the help of the Sisters of Mercy. Ames offers comments on the casualties and destruction caused by the earthquake.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1907-01-20

Creator(s)

Ames, Howard E., 1851-1918

H. E. Cooper, a carpenter in the U.S. Navy, writes Edwin C. Pendleton from Jamaica in the wake of the Kingston Earthquake. He reports that he went ashore with Lieutenant W. P. Scott and 50 other men, where they worked construction under the supervision of Captain C. Jones and H. Humphrey. He reports that the emergency hospital building was badly damaged and details the work done by his crew to fix it.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1907-01-19

Creator(s)

Cooper, Harry E. (Harry Elmer), 1879-1963

Warrant Machinist Grant reports that he and others were removing damaged structures and reinforcing existing structures following the devastating earthquake in Kingston, Jamaica. He also reports that he helped in handling the sick and wounded at Winchester Park Hospital.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1907-01-19

Creator(s)

Grant, Kellum Duane, 1864-1935

Lieutenant-Commander Hoff, of the USS Missouri, expands upon his report from the previous day on the aid provided by the United States Navy following the earthquake in Kingston, Jamaica. Upon arrival, food and supplies were administered by Paymaster Barron P. DuBois. Hospitals and medical care were assessed by military personnel. Under the command of Midshipmen Douglas Legate Howard, the archives from the U.S. Embassy were protected and removed. Howard’s team went on to assist in removing unsafe and damaged buildings. Another patrol aided local authorities in preventing looting. Supplies were distributed to destitute Americans on the island. Considering the situation, the hospitals were properly functioning and the water supply was untainted.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1907-01-18

Creator(s)

Hoff, Arthur Bainbridge 1869-1925

President Roosevelt feels that Stanford University has been hard hit by the recent San Francisco earthquake and fire, and tells University President David Starr Jordan that he felt the damage to Stanford “with peculiar keenness because the sight of it impressed me so vividly.” Roosevelt hopes the university will still have some of its former beauty.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1906-04-27

Creator(s)

Roosevelt, Theodore, 1858-1919