New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1902-11-16
THE EARTHQUAKE AT Guam.
COMMANDER SCHROEDER SAYS IT
WAS THE sEvEREsT ON RECORD.

Washington, Nov I5-Commander seaton
Schroeder. naval governor Of Guam. has sent
TO the Navy Department a detailed report of
the damage. caused in that island by the earth
quake of September 22. Fortunately, the dis
aster occurred in the daytime as did the hurri-
cane OF two years ago. and the casualties In
cluded only one child killed and few of the
people of Agana hurt. There considerable
loss OF property. however, and funds asked
to make the necessary repairs. 1t is feared
that the rented building used as a naval hos
pital is damaged beyond repair. and the sick
are being cared for in mortuary chapel. pend
ing the completion Of ward of the Maria
schroeder hospital, when they will be removed
there. Commander Schroeder requests 81 900
for this emergency work, as there is no money
IN the island treasury. The damage 10 the
building under the control of the Bureau OF
Yards and Docks will reach $S.70O. the slight
expense being due TO the fact that most of the
buildings were rented. The marine corps Jared
worse. and S14,eOO will be needed to repair their
property The public buildings Of the island
suffered severely. and Commander Schroeder
thinks the cost of repairs them will be ST.
100 gold An allowance of $4,000 is, he says.
imperative a once. The private loss in the
town OF Agana alone is estimated by a commit
tee appointed for the purpose. at SlOO.oo gold
The earthquake. which occurred at 1l:2i a.
says commander schroeder III MS Tepoit,
was the severest OF which there is any record.
From the government house terrace during its
continuance. there could be seen clouds of dust
rising suddenly from the different quarters of
Agana as the masonry houses would fall; the
earth opened here and there in small places.
from which water would spout and subsde,
leaving few large. round. apparently hollow
pits; and innumerable fine cracks were observ-
able everywhere. dull grinding roar preceded
and accompanied the shaking of the earth: sure
footed bulls were tripped up and fell TO their
knees. while buildings rocked and swayed. water
tanks were tossed over. and bells rung by the
vibration In other parts of the island assures
one 70 two feet wide were made those at Pitt
emitting strong sulphurous fumes. Masses were
dislodged in the mountains and hills. ploughinS
down the slopes and completely blocking the
road from Agara to Pitt at three points. In the
harhor of San Luis d'Apra the collier Justin.
anchored in twenty two fathoms of water
severely shaken. The disturbance OF the white
coral mud bottom OF the harbor so great
TO give milky appearance to the sea for some
distance around Some Of the shocks lasted for
half an hour al time. large proportion of
the masonry houses in Agana are destroyed,
and most of those that left standing are I'M
safe and cannot he occupied. The massive bell
tower of the picturesque church. built in 1863, is
scanned with large cracks, and VIII nave 10 ne
pulled down at once. In the other towns nearly
all stone houses. churches and converts. are re-
ported destroyed or rendered uninha bitable, the
convent in Ynara1an and the church in MeriZo
being fortunate exceptions
Commander Schroeder adds that the bridges
and schools in most of the districts down.
The collier Justin sent the day after the
disaster with an officer 10 the German island Of
Saipan, 100 miles 10 the northward. to ascertain
the damage done and offer aid There were no
casualties. although the earthquake was de-
scribed violent
Commander Schroeder says that all officers
are renting quarters, and some with their fam
| lilies in tents. He pays a tribute TO the OFF,
GERS and men of the navy and marine corps. say
! ing they have displayed the fortitude and
| cheerfulness which history leads one to expect
| of them and were always found to be wherever
! assistance could be offered