A massive earthquake hit San Francisco in the early hours of the morning. The earthquake measuring 7.9 on the Richter scale is one of the most deadly earthquakes in recorded American history and has left up to 3,000 people dead and close to 80 percent of San Francisco destroyed. The earthquake first struck around 8 in the morning with slight foreshocks striking San Francisco.
These smaller earthquakes, around 10 to 20 seconds each did slight damage to the city, breaking a few windows and knocking down some buildings at the center of the quake. Then the main earthquake hit around a few minutes later, destroying the street, toppling houses and setting large buildings on fire. The brave San Francisco firefighters watched as they could do little to help the blaze. Nearly thirty gas lines were ruptured leading to massive widespread fires in the streets and wooden buildings.
One survivor recalled: The fire was going on in the district south of them, and at intervals all night exhausted firefighters made their way to the plaza and dropped, with the breath out of them, among the huddled people and the bundles of household goods. The soldiers, who were administering affairs with all the justice of judges and all the devotion of heroes, kept three or four buckets of water, even from the women, for these men, who kept coming all night. There was a little food, also kept by the soldiers for these emergencies.
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The damage was the worst in San Francisco’s Chinatown as that area of low-income neighborhoods and cheaply made houses. The city did little to help the citizens in Chinatown and turned a blind eye to a truly disastrous situation. This earthquake entirely gutted many of San Francisco’s classic cobblestone streets, and it is likely to be months if not years for the damage to be repaired.
Many who survived the earthquake recalled their experiences of that morning and the night before. Survivor Bill Bon Barton said of the night before ‘Kissed my mother good night, and she said, ‘Be sure you say your prayers before you go to bed.’ Little did I know, at that moment, that I would never see my family again.’ The city was quickly involved in the massive refugee crisis at hand to the citizens of San Francisco. The Army quickly set up tents for survivors. It is estimated that close to 100,000 homes were destroyed by the earthquake leaving up to 420,000 citizens homeless. A proclamation from the office of the mayor has been issued to the city.
“I have directed all the Gas, and Electric Lighting Co.’s not to turn on Gas or Electricity until I order them to do so. You may, therefore, expect the city to remain in darkness for an indefinite time. I request all citizens to remain at home from darkness until daylight every night until order is restored. I WARN all Citizens of the danger of fire from Damaged or Destroyed Chimneys, Broken or Leaking Gas Pipes or Fixtures, or any similar cause.” Experts believe that the earthquakes are for the most part over. However, slight aftershocks are still possible. The citizens of the greater San Francisco area are encouraged to remain calm and above all, not to lose hope.
