Type of bind: Library Type of bind
EAN num: 9780671660000
ISBN number: 0671660004
Label: Julian Messner
Manufacturer: Julian Messner
Printing Date: 1967-01
Publishing house: Julian Messner
Sale Popularity Level: 2597485
Studio: Julian Messner
User popularity level:
Rated by buyers -
The early morning of Thursday April 18, 1906 was shattered by two giant tremors that damaged streets and houses, destroyed water mains, gas, and electricity. After this fires broke out and burned buildings and homes. $500 millions worth of property was destroyed, 250,000 people were made homeless. Aid came from all over the nation and the world. Rebuilding began right after the fire. First there was the rumble from a massive railroad train, then the horizontal and vertical shaking that destroyed water mains and the electricity supply (p.18). Chimneys fell or disintegrated (p.19). Flimsily built structures collapsed and trapped their occupants (p.20). The early hour saved the thousands who would be in the wholesale and retail districts, unlike the produce area. Then a new and stronger quake hit the city. Housing built on fill earth crumbled and collapsed (p.23). The ground sank in some areas. Hills fell away and homes slid down the hill (p.24). Those who could stood in doorways for protection (p.25). It was all over in less than two minutes (p.27).
Chapter Two says the damage occured along a 200-mile stretch, about 20 to 40 miles wide (p.28). Earthquakes are responsible for much of the California scenery (p.29). The April 18, 1906 quake caused destruction north and south of San Francisco. In places the earth shifted (p.38). Chapter Three tells what happened next. Fifty-two major fires were reported in the downtown district (p.45). The lack of water prevented the firemen from extinguishing the fires (p.47). People sought refuge in open areas (p.50). General Frederick Funston declared martial law without legal authorization (p.55). Funston telegraphed the War Department to order rations and tents (p.58).
Chapter Four tells of Mayor Eugene Schmitz's actions. He summoned help from Oakland and Los Angeles, then created a "Committee of Safety" from the wealthy and influential to run affairs. Wooden buildings burned, but so did those of brick and mortar (pp.68-69). The priceless contents of the Sutro Library were lost in the fire (p.71). Black powder and dynamite were used to destroy buildings adjacent to the fires. Chapter Five shows how the fires spread (pp.76-77). A second fire created more danger. The fireboat 'Leslie' saved the harbor and Ferry Building. The Mint and Post Office were saved by their employees. People fled to safety (p.81). The buildings destroyed as firebreaks only provided fuel for the fires (p.85).
Chapter Six tells how the fires continued to burn in the afternoon. Mayor Schmitz issued the "shoot to KILL" order. Chapter Seven tells how the fire spread that night. Rumors spread like wildfire (pp.114-116). The news of the disaster resulted in relief being sent immediately (p.119). Chapter Eight tells how the fires continued on Thursday. The mansions on Nob Hill were burned with their riches (pp.121-123). People continued to flee south by land or east by sea. That afternoon Mayor Schmitz ordered the destruction of every building east of Van Ness Avenue to create a fire break.
Mayor Schmitz ordered the evacuation, but people could not get the food they wanted (p.145). Dynamite was used to create firebreaks (p.153). Then the wind changed and worked against the fire; it now turned north and east. [Could a bathtub of water really prevent a fire (p.158)?] The fire began to burn out by Saturday morning. That night rain began to fall (Chapter Ten). The worst fire in American history was over (p.167). Then supplies began to arrive on Saturday, and for weeks from the nation and the world (pp.171-173). Some claimed Divine punishment (p.174) Teddy Roosevelt assigned the Red Cross to distribute supplies [city corruption?] (p.177). Most of the destroyed area was rebuilt in 3 years (p.181). Strict construction standards were enforced. Reservoirs and cisterns were built (p.182). The 1915 Exposition showed a healed city.
Find other books like this one:
