The Great Shake
" I was in bed at the time and did not get out until the shake was over. My feelings were like what I suppose a rat's are when being vigorously shaken by a terrier and then slammed down on the ground. I was shaken in every direction, shaken until I thought my teeth would come out." |
Early in the morning, on April 18th, 1906, the residents of San Francisco were suddenly awakened from their slumbers by a forceful shake. About twenty seconds later, the earthquake began, lasting from somewhere between 45 and 60 seconds(U.S. Senate, 1906) . Chandeliers crashed to the floor, bookshelves toppled over, ceilings caved in, and entire buildings collapsed(Leithead).
As if that were not enough, a fire soon began burning for three days uncontrollably.
The death toll was around 3,000, 25,000 were left homeless, and about 4 million dollars worth of damage was done to the city(NOA Report).
As if that were not enough, a fire soon began burning for three days uncontrollably.
The death toll was around 3,000, 25,000 were left homeless, and about 4 million dollars worth of damage was done to the city(NOA Report).
"... the great catastrophe that overtook and laid in ruins a great portion of our once beautiful city of San Francisco." - Florence Kinney