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(From our correspondent.)
St. Thomas, Jan 16.
The fire which followed the earthquake has completed the destruction of Kingston.
It is feared that the loss of life is heavy. It is however reported that Sir
Alfred Jones, the British delegates to the agricultural conference, and all
the hotel guests are safe.
Owing to the interruption of the landlines information from the country is meagre, but it is reported that Port Antonio is not seriously damaged.
Later.
Everybody has been warned away from Kingston. The stench is awful and famine is imminent. All the shops were destroyed, and provisions are originally needed. The banks have been burned, but the bolts are supposed to be safe.
The misery is indescribable. It is impossible to give the whereabouts of anybody. Sir James Fergusson was killed. The deaths are very numerous. The number is not yet know. Bodies are buried in the smouldering ruins. The mercantile community suffered most severely, the warehouses falling upon the inhabitants, many professional men were killed and injured.
Negroes are looting, and there are ghastly scenes. All the buildings in and around Kingston are in ruins, and few will be habitable. The Governor and his party are safe.
It is reported that the extinct volcano at Portland is showing signs of activity, but I cannot verify the report. There is no news from the interior, communications be very difficult.
Kingston, Jan 16.*
Kingston was overwhelmed by an earthquake at 3.30 on Monday afternoon. All houses within a radius of 10 miles have been damaged, and almost every house in the city has been destroyed. Fire broke out after the earthquake and completed the work of destruction. The business quarter of Kingston is now a heap of smouldering ashes.
It is estimated that about 400 persons have been killed and over 1000 injured. Many churches, public offices, and hotels have been wrecked, but there were no deaths at the Constant Spring Hotel. Among the killed are Sir James Fergusson and many prominent merchants and professional men.
(From our own correspondence.)
Washington, Jan 16.
The principal news of the Kingston earthquake published in this morning's newspapers came from London. The following is the only dispatch received by the State Department from the American consul there, timed 3 30 this afternoon: --
"Fearful earthquake followed by fire stop Kingston destroyed, hundred or hundreds of lives lost (the cable is not clear which word was used). Food sadly wanted. American Consulate destroyed."
Santiago De Cuba, Jan 16*
According to a devices from Kingston, the harbour is close to shipping as the result of the earthquake. There is said to be great need of large supplies of provisions. Famine and played conditions prevail, and the stench pervades the city. There is much misery, and rich and poor are alike homeless.
New York, Jan 15*
The Hamburg-American Line Agency has issued the following: --
"Holland Bay, Jan 50, 5:38 p.m.
A slight earthquake occurred here yesterday. No damage was done either here or at Port Antonio, or at the Titchfield Hotel."
January 16.*
The Sun publishes the following telegram from Holland Bay: --
"At the first shock many structures in the poorer parts of the city collapsed. Buyers instantly started along the walks, where the flames spread rapidly among the wreckage of the goods sheds. The streets were clogged with debris, and in the great confusion which followed the earthquake of Fire Brigade was paralysed. The fire on the waterfront consequently gained considerable headway before effective work could be done after the first severe shock the people rushed into the streets, and the weakened walls unable to resist the succeeding shocks, toppled over on many of the refugees. Rescue work was begun without loss of time, and the injured were conveyed on carts on stretchers to the General Hospital, which was not destroyed, as quickly as they could be extricated from the ruins.
Sir a. Sweetenham, the Governor, and Sir Alfred Jones took immediate steps
to allay panic, and, though a steady stream of refugees began marching to the
hills after the outbreak of fire, the greatest order prevailed, and the was
no ruffianism. Men employed on the telegraphs within sight of Kingston say that
the fire was still under control late on Monday night, but was still burning
in isolated places along the waterfront."
(The above appeared in our special addition of yesterday.)
Message from the Governor.
The following telegram from the Governor of Jamaica, received at 7:50 a.m., was issued yesterday by the Colonial office: --
"Severe earthquake shock this morning between three and four o'clock, causing considerable damage to houses in Kingston, followed by fire which continues, though confined to about 1/16 part of the town containing wharves and warehouses. Camp hospital destroyed; 30 killed, no officer; Major Headyman in seriously injured. Town hospital crowded with some 300. Buyout now decreasing. Myrtle bank hospital destroyed; also cable office. Conference delegates and Sir a Joneses expedition believed injured (? Uninjured), and now at Port Kingston in harbour. Numbers killed and wounded yet unascertained; slighter shocks continue.
"Note. -- this telegram, which is undated, is apparently earlier than the unofficial telegram, the substance of which was communicated to the press last night."
After last night, Reuters agency is informed, the Colonial office had received no official news regarding Sir James Fergusson. The only information referring to him was contained in Mr H. Greenwood's telegram received on Tuesday night. As the Governor of Jamaica made no mention of him in his telegram yesterday, the government has telegraphed to Sir A. Swettenham asking for definitive information regarding Sir James Fergusson.
Camp Hospital destroyed.
The following telegram from the Governor of Jamaica, dated January 40, has been received by the War office; --
"Earthquake this afternoon; camp Hospital destroyed, 30 killed. No officer killed stop major Headyman (Major W. H. Hardyman, West India Regiment) seriously wounded. Send one medical officer vice Sedgwick injured."
Mr Jane Davey, Sir Alfred Jones's partner in the firmer of Elder, Dempster, and Co., received a telegram yesterday from Sir Alfred stating that he and his party were all well.
The Dowager Lady Dudley has received a telegram from Jamaica informing her that Lord and Lady Dudley are both safe.
Mr J. dogs-sure, representative of the press Association, who is one of Sir Alfred Jones's party visiting the West Indies, in a telegram handed in in Jamaica and received in London last evening says: --
"Sir James Fergusson is among the killed in Kingston earthquake. Several additional shocks were felt today. VARs broke out against the night stop Negroes are looting the rum shops. At least 500 persons have been killed. Weird and terrible scenes. 45 invalid soldiers were barred to death in the military hospital."
The above telegram, the press Association says, was evidently handed in on Tuesday night or early yesterday morning. It was shown last night to the Colonial office officials, and was regarded as setting at rest any possible doubt that might have existed as to the fate of Sir James Fergusson as well as making it clear that no harm had fallen any member of Sir Alfred Jones's party.
Reuters agency learns the cable communication has been established to a spot within seven or 8 miles from Kingston. The operating staff have been obliged to leave Kingston. They have cut into the cable at a place called Bull Bay, and messages are being accepted the Kingston at centres risk. They will be sent by road from Bull Bay.
The Royal mail Steam Packet Company has received the following telegram from Jamaica dated fourth inst.: --
"Earthquake followed by fire. Kingston wrecked. Most wharves warehouses burned. The Royal Mail Steam Packet Company's main wharf, shaeds, cargo, and stock of coal safe. Office wrecked. Captain Constantine, the company's commercial representative, and Captain Young, commander of the R.MS.P. coasting steamer Arno, are killed. Sir James Fergusson, Bart., deputy-chairman of the Royal mail steam packet Company, missing."
At the Bristol office of Messer's Elders and Fyffe Ltd. Fruit merchants, the following telegram was received yesterday from Jamaica: --
"Merchants' section of Kingston destroyed by earthquake. Several hundred killed. Mail steamer Port Kingston leaving tomorrow with very small cargo of fruit owing to Railway obstruction. Fruit districts undamaged." the offices of the direct West India cable company have been entirely wrecked by the earthquake at Kingston. There has fortunately been no loss of life among the staff, though Mr Codner, one of the clearing house staff, is seriously injured. The cable, as far as can be ascertained, is intact, and messages are being accepted to Holland Bay.
The Colonial bank at Kingston has been entirely burnt. The vaults are safe. All cash and books are saved, having been locked up previously. The staff and their families are unhurt.
Messer's Prentice, Service, and Co. shipowners, Glasgow, yesterday received a telegram from Kingston stating that their steamer Naparin (?Naparima), at present at Jamaica, is safe with all on board. She arrived at Kingston on January 13.
The following telegrams have been sent by Lord Elgin to Governor Sir J. A. Swettenham, dated January 16: --
(One) "I am commanded by the King to request you to express to the inhabitants of Kingston a horror with which his Majesty and her Majesty the Queen have learnt of the terrible catastrophe which has befallen that town with the loss of so many lives, and the deep sympathy of their Majesty's with the sufferers and with the relations of those who have been killed."
(2) "I have received with the greatest regret your telegram reporting the grave disaster which has befallen the city of Kingston, causing widespread distress and loss of life. In absence of full particulars I can only at present express on my own behalf and that of his Majesty's government and assurance of deep sympathy with the colony in this new and terrible trial, and more especially with the immediate sufferers. Telegraph the fullest possible particulars as to the extent of the calamity and the means to hand for coping with it."
Sir Henry Campbell-Bannerman telegraphed to the Governor as follows: --
"On my own part, and on the half of his Majesty's government, I beg to convey to the people of Jamaica are profound concern on account of the great calamity which has befallen the island and our warmest sympathy with all sufferers."
Relief measures.
The admiral gave orders yesterday for the cruise is brilliant (Capt R.H. Anstruther) and Indefatigable (Capt P. Nelson-Ward) to proceed forthwith to assist in relieving the distress caused by the earthquake. The brilliant arrived at Bermuda yesterday, and the Indefatigable was at Trinidad on Monday.
Mr Owen Philipps, MP, chairman of the Royal mail steam packet Company, has telegraphed to the Governor of Jamaica placing all the company's stores and provisions at the disposal of the Governor for the relief of the distressed. The company is doing its utmost to alleviate the distress and has telegraphed to its New York agents instructing them to carry, free of charge, all food supplies of Kingston.
Washington, Jan 16.*
Mr Taft, Secretary for War, announces that the American Red Cross Society will take immediate steps to send relief to the inhabitants of Kingston, and that if necessary a call will be made for contributions.
Meeting of Jamaica proprietors.
A hastily convened meeting of Jamaica proprietors was held at the West India committee rooms yesterday afternoon to consider what steps it might be necessary to take in view of the earthquake in Jamaica. Sir Neville Lubbock presided, and those present included Sir Henry K.. Davson, Sir R. Noel Walker, Mr Sydney Olivier, of the Colonial office, late Colonial Secretary of Jamaica, Mr Owen Philipps, MP, Mr E. A. de Pass, Mr H. A. Trotter, Mr J. Rippon, Mr W. Gillespie, Mr R. Rutherford, Mr Norman Malcolmson, and Mr Algernon E. Aspinall, Secretary. It was resolved unanimously: -- "that this meeting of Jamaica proprietors desires to express its deep sympathy with the people of Jamaica in the calamity which has befallen them through the destruction of part of the city of Kingston through the earthquake on January 14, and desires especially to record its deep regret at the death of Sir James Fergusson, who had on so many occasions showed a most friendly interest in the West Indies, and of Captain Constantine and Captain Young and Mr Charles Sherlock and others who lost their lives." Mr Olivier intimated that a telegram was expected from the Governor of Jamaica to say whether it would be necessary to open a relief fund, and it was agreed that it would be desirable to await such information before taking action, but that in the event of its been decided to do so to place the organisation of the West India committee at the disposal of the Colonial office.
At the meeting of the Birmingham chamber of commerce, yesterday, the chairman Mr J. S. Taylor, propose that a letter be sent to the secretary of state for the Colonies expressing the profound sympathy of the chamber with the sufferers from the earthquake in Jamaica. Mr Sambridge asked if the chamber had heard anything of the President, Mr Jesse Collings. The chairman said that nothing direct had been heard, but they thought that he was safe. The resolution was carried. Mr Arthur Chamberlain,jun., informed our Birmingham correspondent that his father was only expected to reach Trinidad yesterday, and in ordinary circumstances he did not anticipate being at Jamaica before the 25th instant. The voyage had been undertaken purely to health.
At Bidston observatory, Birkenhead, on a Monday afternoon, vibrations were recorded on the seismograph.
At the Royal Observatory, Blackford hill, Edinburgh, the seismographic instruments show a record of the earthquake. The more distinct vibrations began at 9 17 1/2, the maximum shock occurred at 9 23, and the vibration ended at 10 1. Before this there was a slight tremor, beginning at 9 4.
The Lord Mayor of Bristol yesterday telegraphed to the Governor of Jamaica: -- "Citizens of Bristol deeply sympathise with the sufferers by the terrible disaster."
Mr Alfred Jones telegraphed: -- "heartiest congratulations on the safety of yourself, Mr Howell Davies, and party."
From early morning yesterday the Colonial office was besieged by inquiries as to the safety of friends and relatives in Jamaica.
The Mr Hall Caine in Sir Alfred Jones's party is a brother of the novelist.
After pressing a resolution of sympathy with the families of the sufferers
in Jamaica, the Court of directors of the Royal Mail Steam Packet Company yesterday
adjourned as a mark of respect to the late Sir James Fergusson, deputy chairman
of the company, who is reported to have been killed in Kingston. Captain Constantine,
who was killed in the earthquake disaster, had long been in the Royal Mail Company's
service. The last vessel he commanded was the Trent. Before receiving his appointment
as superintendent at Kingston he resided at Southsea. His family accompanied
him to Kingston, and it is believed that they were there at the time of the
catastrophe. Captain Young, another victim, belonged to Gravesend, and it is
stated that he was a single man.
*through Reuter's agency