The semi-weekly messenger., 1907-01-18


tcrnoon-Fire Which Followed the
Shock Still Burning, Thought Be-
Eeved to be Under Control.
Kingston, the picturesque capital Of
the island of jamaica has been de-
vastated by q violent earthquake.
Details of the disaster are lacking aS
direct communication with the strick-
en- city has been cut off. The land
hhes had been reconstructed to within
five miles of Kingston Tuesday even
ing and from meagre reports received
through channels as were open, it has
been learned that many of the most
ed and that there has been serious
loss of life.
The reports indicate the fatalities
number less than 100, though the hos
pitfalls are filled with injured and the
list Of victims may be materially in
creased
Kingston and the other points Of in
terest Of the island are at this season
of the year thronged with tourists
from both America and England and
the greatest apprehension is felt for
the safety of many persons who had
recently arrived at the Jamaican re-
sorts.
The most distinguished of those were
members of a party of English states
men, agricultural experts and men of
affairs, who, under the leadership
of Sir Alfred Jones, had arrived in
Kingston within the past few days to
attend an agricultural conference here.
The first great shock was felt about
$50 o'clock Monday afternoon and as
in the San Francisco disaster, flames
Immediately sprang from the wreck
age and carried out the work of de-
struction. Tuesday afternoon the fire
was still burning, although it was be-
lieved to be under control.
The Myrtle Bank hotel, the principal
hotel in Kingston, which probably
sheltered the great bulk of visitors on
the island, is reported destroyed. The
military hospital was burned and forty
soldiers are reported dead.
Sir James Ferguson is said to have
London reports, no other EngliShman,
Or Canadian is believed to be missing
st. Thomas D. w. T., January 15.-
The cable station at Holland Bay,
jamaica, reports that very severe
earthquake occurred there at $3.50 Mon
day afternoon The cable office was
badly damaged and all the land lines
to Kingston were instantly interrupted.
Communication by the land lines was
restored this afternoon to within i've
miles of Kingston. That city was de-
stroyed and there was much loss Of
life The shocks continue. Everybody
is camping out and much distress pre-
walls Fires started at Kingston I'M
mediately after the earthquake.
The Jamaica-C and the jamaica
Bermuda cables are interrupted.
New York, January 15.-The follow
ing cablegram was received at the Of
flee of the Hamburg-American Line
here tonight
Holland Bay where is situated the
5:3S p. Insight earthquake here
yesterday. No damage, also no dam
age at Port Antonio or to the Titch-
field hotel. Advise our people
Holland Bay where is situated at
cable hut from which above cablegraia
was sent is about forty miles east Of
Kingston The Titchfield hotel is sit
uated in Antonio and just now has
many guests from the north.
Kingston is the capital of the Island
OF Jamaica and the principal seaport
and commercial city of that island. Il
as situated on the south coast and on
the north side Of a fine harbOr. The
latter is land locked BASIN, available
for the largest ships and is enclosed
on the south by long tongue of
land at the extremity of which is Port
Royal. The population of Kingston
IS about $4,000.
The only volcanic formation in the
island is that of the low Layton ana
Retreat estates in the parish of Port
land, a mile from the sea, in the county
of Surrey in which Kinston is stu
ated. There is, however, no defined
crater and the volcanic materials are
the only evidences remaining.
The coast formation of Surrey coun-
ty is of white and yellow limestone
and the greater part of the country
IS very mountainous
In August, 1908, Jamaica was swept
by hurricane which almost totally
destroyed Port Antonio and inflicted
damage in various parts of the island
amounting to about $4,000, 900. Thous-
ands of houses in Kingston were dam
aged the wharves were battered and