Delaware gazette and state journal. (Wilmington, Del.) 1883-1902, 1898-04-07

San Francisco CAL, March 31.--At
about midnight this city and State
were shaken by one of the most severe
earthquakes ever experienced in Cali
fornia, In San Francisco buildings
we're awayed violently for fully 10
seconds, though reports from other
places state that the vibrations con-
tinued for from 40 seconds to a minute.
A tensmenthouse on Clenentine street.
between Fifth aud Sixth. collapsed,
hut no ona was injured. Nearly every
window OF the Strathmore apartment
house on Larkin street. opposite the
new City Hall, was broken, the pias-,
tering fell from the walls and pictures
and ornaments were ruined. The build
ing on Larkin street near McA lister,
formerly occupied by the Supreme
Court, was slightly damaged. Its
chimneys fell to the pavement, but
fortunately did not hit any of the
panic-strieken people 10 the street.
Glassware in several saloons and stores
was broken.
At the Office the Associated Press,
telegraphic communication was inter
rupted for 20 minutes. The earthquake
caused the same condition of affairs at
the Western Union and Postal Tele-
graph offices.
The guests OF the hotels and lodging
| houses, many Of whom had no idea OF
| the cause of the trembling of the earth,
were intensely excited and rushed from
| their rooms without waiting to dress.
| A limp was upset in u small houss
| OF Third street and blaze was started,
which was soon extinguished but this
| calling out Of the fire department added
to the excitement Of the night,
At midnight the downtown streets
| wore thrunGen with men, women anu
| children and in the residence portion
Of the city lights were burning in
nearly every home until a very late
hour.
The shock was folt throughout tbs
northern part of the State. but very
meagre reports have aH yet been re-
ceived owing TO the dsmoraliZed state
| Of the wires. At the San Quentin
peniientiary some of the guards thought
a general break had been made by the
prisoners, who had exploded dynamite.
The convicts in their cells were ter
rified. and hearing loud orders from,
the officers OF the watch, also imagined
a prison delivery had taken place.
Prof. Davidson, the eminent scientist,
declares that the earthquake has seldom
and considers it remarkable that no
loss of life or great damage to property
was uocasionsd. The waters OF San
Francisco Bay rose in tidal wave two
feet high, but almost Immediately sub
sided.
Five families narrowly escaped being
buried in wreckage by tbs collapse 0f
the tenement at No. 445 Clementina
street which followed the rocking
tremor. propped up on the frailest OF
supports, with practically no founda-
ton, the fiimsy structure sank threu
feet below the sidewalk in shifting
sand and now stands misshanai
mass. The occupants, most Of them
awakened from sleep, were caught us
in trap. Doors warped out OF shRpe,
would not open and windows wg,r
iammed, while the widest excitement
prevailed. Neighbors. attracted by the
crash and the screams of women auG
children, were doing their best Il
liberate the unfortunate prisoners.
The doors were finally burst open ant
the women, many Of them scarcely able
to walk, were conveyed across the wa,
and cared for by friends. All wer'
luckily got out without Injury.