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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
Commander Beehler sends news to the Navy Department regarding the locations, needs, and plans of Admiral Charles Henry Davis and Admiral Robley D. Evans and their respective ships.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1907-01-21
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
A three page list of supplies left behind by the USS Missouri, USS Iowa, and USS Indiana for hospitals to assist those hurt in the earthquake in Kingston, Jamaica.
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
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.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1907-01-20
Captain Mahan updates Rear Admiral Davis on the work done by sailors on Friday, January 18, in Kingston, Jamaica, following a devastating earthquake.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1907-01-18
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.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1907-01-19
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.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1907-01-19
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
D. J. Marx, the Acting Warrant Machinist on the USS Indiana, reports on the condition of the Plum Point Lighthouse in Kingston, Jamaica, and what was done to repair it. The reported damage to the lighthouse was likely due to an earthquake that occurred in Kingston, Jamaica, on January 14, 1907.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1907-01-18
Captain Mahan reports to Rear Admiral Davis about the condition of Kingston harbor, courtesy of John K. Robison, navigator of the USS Indiana.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1907-01-19
Lieutenant Abernathy describes the USS Indiana‘s relief efforts after the Kingston, Jamaica, earthquake: clearing of King Street and Harbor Street, tearing down unsafe walls, searching for survivors, and disposing of victims’ bodies. Abernathy states that his men, including L. Cresap and W. C. Barker, continued their work until Admiral C. H. Davis sent orders to return to their ship. Abernathy also mentions that Mr. Morrison offered all the assistance he could.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1907-01-18
Ensign Abbott reports to Captain Mahan from his posting in Kingston, Jamaica. A British army officer there reported that British troops were camped outside Port Royal because of a stench emanating from cracks in the earth opened by an earthquake in the city.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1907-01-18
Captain Mahan provides a detailed chronology of events that occurred and work completed by U.S. forces in Kingston, Jamaica, following the earthquake.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1907-01-17
Chaplain Gleeson reports on Americans found in Jamaica after the earthquake. Some were sent to the USS Indiana and some to the Missouri, and supplies and food are being provided. The Port Kingston refused to let American women and children sleep on the deck, but Gleeson found no evidence of discrimination against American citizens.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1907-01-17
Rear Admiral C. H. Davis orders Commanding Officer Dennis H. Mahan to issue stores from the U.S.S. Indiana to be distributed in Kingston, Jamaica, in response to the earthquake.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1907-01-17
Rear Admiral C. H. Davis writes to Robley D. Evans, Commander in Chief of the U.S. Atlantic Fleet, regarding the situation in Jamaica. Much of Kingston has been damaged by the earthquake and ensuing fire, and is a scene of total confusion, although shipping has not been disturbed. The governor, James Alexander Swettenham, seems to have the situation under control, and has declined assistance from Davis’s men. Davis has respected this, but believes that Swettenham has overestimated the security of the situation, especially away from the main city, and feels that the Missouri should remain until the situation is clearer.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1907-01-17