The Jamaica Earthquake

Review and Herald Publishing Association · Takoma Park Station, Washington, D. C. · Jan 24, 1907

The Jamaica Earthquake

ANOTHER fearful calamity has visited the world. On last Monday afternoon, at half-past three o'clock, a considerable portion of the island of Jamaica was in the throes of a terrible earthquake. The reports state that the principal shock lasted thirty-six seconds; but this was sufficient to throw down a large part of the city of Kingston. At that hour of the day the streets were filled with people, natives and visitors, and as the larger buildings were pitched into the streets, hundreds of these persons were crushed to death or maimed, and many of those in the collapsed buildings had no time to escape, and were caught by the falling walls and ceilings. Fires immediately sprang up in various parts of the city, largely completing the work of demolition, and adding to the death list by cremating many of those pinned down by the fallen buildings. Latest reports state that eight hundred dead bodies have been removed from the débris, and it is estimated that the total death list will reach twelve hundred. There is the usual tale of much suffering from lack of food and water. Two United States war-ships have arrived at Kingston, and are rendering what aid they can. The shore line is sinking, and two lighthouses have disappeared.

At the time of the earthquake a union conference council was being held at Kingston, at which our workers were present from all the West Indies and Central America. There were also in attendance from this country Elders E. W. Farnsworth, I. H. Evans, Luther Warren, and U. Bender, and Prof. C. B. Hughes. Just as we go to press a cablegram comes containing the one word "Evans," which we interpret to mean that these brethren are safe.

We have about fifteen hundred believers in Jamaica, and a church building in the city of Kingston.