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Oliver D. Norton reports on his work in Kingston, Jamaica, following an earthquake that had left many wounded. Norton remarks on the unsanitary conditions of the city and the state in which he found the overcrowded hospitals. He praises the actions of the Jesuit priests and sisters who tended to the sick and wounded.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1907-01-21
Rear Admiral Davis submits a report to Secretary of the Navy Metcalf about his actions at Jamaica, providing relief following an earthquake there. In particular, Davis notes the actions taken by his sailors, and Jamaica Governor James Alexander Swettenham’s request for them to withdraw.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1907-01-21
Governor Swettenham of Jamaica thanks Secretary of State Root for the assistance given to Jamaica by Admiral C. H. Davis and the United States Navy after the earthquake.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1907-01-20
Captain Pendleton sends a list of officers who engaged in work in Kingston, Jamaica, following the earthquake. Pendleton reports that the work of these officers and the men under their command merits the highest praise and their conduct was excellent. He notes that “practically the whole ship’s company volunteered for this duty” and at times there were more volunteers than could be employed. Pendleton also lists the names of Americans who left Kingston on the USS Missouri.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1907-01-20
Assistant surgeon W. N. McDonell reports to Medical Inspector Ames on activities that he and other naval surgeons conducted during the relief efforts in Jamaica following the earthquake. Many Americans in Jamaica have expressed disapproval of the Governor’s handling of the disaster relief efforts, and McDonell agrees with this sentiment. The U.S. Navy eventually established a hospital ashore because of the many requests for assistance it received.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1907-01-20
Dr. McConnon reports on the medical relief he provided to Americans, Englishmen, and natives in Kingston, Jamaica, following the recent earthquake. He went to shore and found Americans who were not injured but fearful of mob violence. He dressed wounds and responded to medical needs as they arose, assisted in resupplying medical stores, and treated patients.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1907-01-20
U.S. Navy Chaplain Gleeson reports to Rear Admiral Davis on the state of Kingston, Jamaica, following the earthquake. According to Gleeson, many of the dead were still lying in the streets and the hospital was overcrowded, with an insufficient number of doctors to attend to the wounded. Gleeson visited Winchester Park, which the Jesuit priests had opened up to the public, where a makeshift hospital had been built. Gleeson notes that there is not an immediate danger of famine, but many are concerned about the possibility of an epidemic resulting from the number of dead bodies still lying in the streets.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1907-01-20
Howson W. Cole, Assistant Surgeon for the Navy, reports to Navy Medical Inspector Ames his observations and work concerning the relief effort after the earthquake in Kingston, Jamaica. Cole reports that their offers to help care for the wounded were refused by Dr. Karr at the Central Hospital, although Karr did request some medical supplies. This refusal was despite the clear lack of appropriate medical services for all the injured, and Cole provides case-specific examples. Because of the clear need for more aid, Admiral C. H. Davis set up an American Hospital, where Cole and others saw as many patients as possible. Cole provides details for a number of patient cases, and concludes that no matter what Governor James Alexander Swettenham believes, medical aid is “certainly needed and asked for, by the poor wretches who are even yet without treatment.”
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1907-01-20
U. S. Navy Surgeon Bishop reports to Medical Inspector Ames on the relief work in Kingston, Jamaica, following the earthquake there. Bishop describes the number of casualties and the types of medical cases. Bishop also notes that the authorities were perhaps refusing the “preferred aid of the naval medical officers” because the “ignorant Jamaican negro was the subject” of the care.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1907-01-20
Lieutenant Scott from the USS Missouri reports on his landing team’s work in disaster relief in Kingston, Jamaica. The men under his command assisted in tearing down walls that had been made unstable, removing dead bodies from the rubble, and disinfecting streets and areas where the dead were found. The people of the city were deeply appreciative of their help.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1907-01-19
Vice Consul Orrett thanks Admiral Davis for his great service and tells him that many people come to the Consulate daily to express their gratitude for his help following the earthquake in Kingston, Jamaica.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1907-01-19
Lieutenant-Commander Hoff, of the USS Missouri, updates for Captain Pendleton accounts of the United States Navy’s aid efforts in Kingston, Jamaica, following the earthquake. This aid took the form of supplies and medical assistance given to hospitals, food and other assistance given to Americans on the island, and dangerous damaged buildings destroyed with gun cotton (an explosive now known as nitrocellulose). The Governor of Jamaica, John Alexander Swettenham, told the Americans not to destroy any buildings without the owner’s approval.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1907-01-19
Midshipman Logan Cresap reports to Commanding Officer Mahan of his attempt to search for bodies at the Myrtle Bank Hotel, where a guard denied him entrance.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1907-01-19
Barron P. DuBois delivered American provisions to the Jamaican earthquake survivors. However, the company’s buildings were already crowded with provisions. Small amounts of rations were given to “several parties of destitute Americans.”
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1907-01-19
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.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1907-01-19
Governor Swettenham thanks Admiral C. H. Davis for the assistance rendered by Davis and his troops from the USS Missouri in the aftermath of the earthquake in Jamaica.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1907-01-18
Lieutenant Commander Robison reports to Captain Mahan that he distributed food to the refugees of the recent earthquake, most of whom claimed to be American citizens. The refugees were seeking transportation to the United States and many of them were brought aboard the USS Indiana. Robison assured them that the Navy was there to protect them and “succor distress” wherever they found it.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1907-01-18
Midshipman Page reports to Captain Mahan that he went ashore in Kingston, in compliance with Mahan’s orders, to look for any temporarily destitute Americans following the earthquake. Page reports they found no Americans destitute or in need of assistance.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1907-01-18
Assistant Surgeon May recounts the medical treatment he and other Navy sailors dispensed in responding to the earthquake in Kingston, Jamaica.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1907-01-18
Captain Pillsbury forwards copies of three telegrams to Rear Admiral Davis regarding Kingston, Jamaica, following the earthquake.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1907-01-17