At 5:13 a.m., an earthquake estimated at close to 8.0 on the Richter scale strikes San Francisco, California,
killing hundreds of people as it topples numerous buildings. The quake
was caused by a slip of the San Andreas Fault over a segment about 275
miles long, and shock waves could be felt from southern Oregon down to Los Angeles.
San Francisco's brick buildings and wooden Victorian structures were
especially devastated. Fires immediately broke out and--because broken
water mains prevented firefighters from stopping them--firestorms soon
developed citywide. At 7 a.m., U.S. Army troops from Fort Mason reported
to the Hall of Justice, and San Francisco Mayor E.E. Schmitz called for
the enforcement of a dusk-to-dawn curfew and authorized soldiers to
shoot-to-kill anyone found looting. Meanwhile, in the face of
significant aftershocks, firefighters and U.S. troops fought desperately
to control the ongoing fire, often dynamiting whole city blocks to
create firewalls. On April 20, 20,000 refugees trapped by the massive
fire were evacuated from the foot of Van Ness Avenue onto the USS Chicago.By April 23, most fires were extinguished, and authorities commenced the task of rebuilding the devastated metropolis. It was estimated that some 3,000 people died as a result of the Great San Francisco Earthquake and the devastating fires it inflicted upon the city. Almost 30,000 buildings were destroyed, including most of the city's homes and nearly all the central business district.
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City Hall interior |
This Day in History
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Ruins of the City Hall |
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