The news-democrat. (Providence, R.I.) 1906-1909, 1907-01-16

nearly all OF wood and OF character
that would be easily Frustrated by "a Sc
we're series OF shocks. Most OF the busi-
ness section was located on Harbor
street. at the head OF which at the east
end was the Myrtle bank. The prevailing
direction OF the wind at this season OF the
/ year is from the northeast, the island be-
ing IN the zone OF the northeast trade
winds.
/ II a fire started In the section near the
Myrtle bank DR.. Bridgman thought II
would probably sweep the entire water
front as well as Harbor street, practical
~ destroying the entire business section
Nearly all the private residences are out
side OF the city 70 the north and are built
OF limestone. A fire on the east side OF
the city during this season OF the year.
when the trades are very strong, has been
dreaded for many years.
Or. Bridgman has been in Kingston for
four years and resigned during the fall.
His family is now in Italy.
FEW SHIPS IN HARBOR.
New York, Jan. 16.--Inquiry at the va
rious steamship offices brought the re-
sponse that very few. II any ships. were
In Kingston harbor at the time the earth
quake occurred. The Atrato OF the Royal
steam Packing company left Kingston
FOR New York on Monday afternoon with
q large number Of passengers.
The Virginia OF the Atlas service OF the
Hamburg American line left here Jan s.
and was due In Kingston yesterday morn
ing with about 30 passengers. The Prinz
Eitel Friedrich OF the same line is now
on her way from Colon with but few pas
sengers. and is scheduled TO arrive Thurs
day The Sarnia OF that line, with a full
list OF passengers. does not arrive at the
island city until Friday.
Besides the Royal Mail, the Hamburg
American and the United Fruit company.
the following transportation companies
run boats TO Kingston or 10 some other
port in the island: The Elder -Dempster.
Leyland Halifax and West Indian, the
Canada and Jamaica, tho Atlantic Fruit
company, the Munson line. and the Cuba
Eastern Railway line.
The Atlantic Fruit company did not
know where their boats were-the Canada
and Jamaica-and the Elder -Dempster
lines are not represented here. The agents
OF the other lines said that they had no
ships in Kingston either yesterday or
Monday and none was due there yester-
day or today. They said that most of the
steamship schedules are so arranged that
their vessels usually arrive at Kingston
during the latter part of the week.
Not a little anxiety was expressed az
several OF the offices and none OF the
steamship men in the West Indian trade
will feel absolutely safe until reassuring
particulars are received. The Hamburg
American line Is about the only one which
keeps a record OF the arrival and de-
parture OF its ships by cable, the others
hearing only when the captain has some
thing extraordinary TO report
None OF the lines are absolutely sure,
therefore. that it's ships I'm the West In
dies have been left unharmed by the
earthquake and the tidal waves that
would surely result in the waters abou.
the island and which would endanger
many ships approaching or leaving the
islands. The Hamburg rg-American off-
cials have not received their usual cable
from the captain OF the Virginia, chron-
cling his safe arrival. They attribute
this, however. either TO his late arrival.
as he left New York late. or 10 the fact
that the earthquake made communica-
tion impossible.
Steamers that might suffer damage
from a tidal wave on account OF their
presence in West Indian waters are as
follows: or the Hamburg-American line
the Prinz August Wilhelm left Savanila,
Colombia. yesterday; the Prinz Wsldemar
left Port Limon, Costa Rica, Monday.
and is due at Kingston today: the Vene-
tia, Garcia and Valdavia OF the same limo
were off the shores OF Hayti yesterday
The Prins Wilhelm III OF the Royal
Dutch West Indian Mail arrived AT Cura-
Goa Saturday. and was due At Haytieu
ports yesterday or today. Two small
steamers OF the English line, the Royal
Mail Packet company. were somewhere
near Barbados
Besides these lines running 10 Jamaica
or In the case OF the Dutch line 10 Hayti.
the Red d line. the Mallory line, the
Booth Steamship company. the Quebec
and Trinidad lines as we'll as others have
steamers plying in West Indian waters.
and thus in possible danger from n tidal
wave. This applies also To the ships of
the Panama line. the Morgan line and
others.
SIR JAMES FERGUSON KILLED.
London, Jan. 16.-The Colonial office
last night received confirmation OF the
terrible disaster which has overtaken
Kingston, Jamaica, in a dispatch from
Hamar Greenwood, NJ. p, sent from Hol-
land bay, az the east end OF the island
The telegram says that Kingston has
been ruined by an earthquake. which oc-
CURED without warning Monday after
noon At half-past 3. A very great number
Of buildings and dwellings were destroyed
either by the earthquake or by the conse-
auent fire.
The military hospital was burned and ~
soldiers are reported 20 have been killed.
together with several prominent citizens
and many others OF the inha abitants or the
city. Sir James FERGUSON Is reported 10
have been instantly killed. hut no other
Ensiishmen. Canadians or Americans are
missing. The city Is quiet. out disciplined
workers ere needed
The governor OF tho colony Sir Aiexan.