Gilpin observer., 1913-12-04

" u
ing catastrophe in human
history, writes Austin West. corre-
spondent of the London Chronicle. In
less than half a minute at that dull
December dawn, what the world OF
today talks of as "the Messina earth
quake" had shattered into dust no
fewer than twenty-four towns along
the Siculo- Calabrian seaboard. The
devastation caused by shocks. by tidal
wave and devouring flames extended
over an area of 100 square miles.
With just one swipe Of his scythe
Death had moved down nigh upon a
quarter of a million members Of hu-
manity.
Here, banked by mountains and ly-
ing snug between the fiery breasts OF
twentieth Century Pompeff.. f."a tho nav
On approaching its magnificent
sickle shaped Interchangeable Of
Messina's ancient name of Zankle-
one sees that the long, stately sweep
Of palatial facades along the Marine,
which formerly seemed to be playing
hideous joke in belying the utter
destruction hidden behind. has lately
been in part demolished exposing WV
idly to view that vast necropolis
where almost every crumbled edifice
Is at once an altar and a tomb The
harbor works, which ought to have
been among the very first concerns
In reconstruction, are instead the
most neglected. The government
gave out 100000 of repair work
nearly year ago, but the contrac-
tors have not yet started on the Job.
l found the port much as I had
left 1t. Yet. so lucky is Messina BY
virtue OF its natural position that de-
spite all drawbacks. the worlds ships
prefer dropping anchor here In in
creasing numbers, and its port trade
is greater than before the disaster.
Neptune Alone Remains.
Wavelets ripple over-the sunken
wharves. the quayside aud adjacent
streets remain rent asunder in mighty
gaps; the Parade all uphoyen.
smashed and incumbered with rub.
bish as when the tidal wave. $50 feet
In height, retired after its vent OF
herculean casitgation. One object
rivets attention. The giant form of
Neptune. trident In hand, SURVEYS the
scene serenely from the summit of
his superb fountain. The sea has re.
spected its god. Pious folk pointed
me to the survival of this and like |
pagan memories. In contrast with the |
OF their own sacred |
as proof positive that the
quake was the handiwork of demons.
Among the most artistic fanes OF
Old Messina was the fourteenth cen.
tury church OF San Niccolo. Several
months before the calamity a commits.
sion Of civil engineers reported the
building to the authorities as being
In an exceedingly dangerous condi.
ton. and an order was issued for its
closure to public worship.
San Niccolo is the one solitary church
which the great earthquake spared!
The grand old Norman cathedral
which bravely withstood the upheov.
lis OF 800 years presents an unfor.
settable appearance. Cleared of its
mountain OF debris, the interior-3O5
eet long and 145 feet across-looks
Is though II had fallen prey to the
conoclasm Of barbarian horde.
fragments OF its glorious
'aptistery. pulpit and royal tombs are
fled In the nave. twenty-five gigan.
ic pillars Of granite that upheld the
lerestory lie smashed and tumbled
bout the pavement in impressive
haos.
What wonderful history has been
heirsl Centuries before Christ <rod
he earth these columns reared their
eads aloft in the famous Temple of