After the Earthquake struck Jamaica, an appeal for aid
went out and America responded. Their Battleships Indiana and Missouri under the
command of Admiral Davis were loaded with aid and dispatched from Cuba to
Kingston arriving the next day. The Americans immediately began providing aid
and restoring order in the city of Kingston. The Jamaican Governor Alexander
Swettenham, took offence at what was being done, and rudely ordered the
Americans to leave. He in turn resigned shortly after the local people and the
American Government protested to Great Britain and after the British Government
ordered him to apologize to to Admiral Davis. Governor Swettenham had tried
desperately throughout the weeks following the Earthquake to justify his actions
to his superiors in London who were having none of his explanation. It is now
clear that the Governor spent most of the time writing long and secret cipher
messages
to the Colonial Office that must have taken all the capacity of the single
working telegraph station which was located some 30 miles from Kingston. So much
for his claim of being concerned about the relief of the City of Kingston during
this time. The Governor had also clashed with the Americans before over
the use the repatriation costs of Jamaican Labour used in connection with the
construction of the Panama Canal and the incident with the Admiral provided the
opportunity to be rid of him. He died in Switzerland in the 1920's and his wife
survived until after the second world war dying in British Columbia, Canada. The
following photographs were taken by Mr. Clarence Greene an officer on board the Missouri
and sent to me by his son David Greene who in 1941 was serving on the battleship
Arizona when the Japanese attacked Pearl Harbor. They have not been published
before and clearly show the depth and spirit of the American effort. His letter
reads as follows:
Dear Dr. deMercado,
I am very pleased by your interest in the photographs my father took of the
1907 earthquake damage. It will take me some time to sort out the
photographs and negatives. In the meantime, some background:
My father was serving as a Second Class Petty Officer (Electrician) aboard
the U.S.S. Missouri (BB-11) at that time. He was the son of farmers and had
limited education. In the following, I have transcribed my fathers entries
in his "log" in his own words (including those misspelled.)
All entries are for the month of January 1907.
"Wed 16 Day off. Kingston, Jamaica struck by earth quake and city on fire.
Missouri took on Admiral Davis and with the Indiana steamed out bound for
the scene of the disaster with all the doctors and extra medical supplies of
the fleet."
Thursday 17 Arrived in Kingston Jamaica 8 AM. Disaster worse than expected.
Sent landing parties ashore to burn dead and blast bank which caved in on
top of safe. Taking on many people from the island. City has lowered near
the coast. Was mutiny in prison on island but was suppressed and Indiana
drew inshore as far as possible and trained her 12" guns on Prison. Took
several pictures of coast of island. May not be good as it is still smoky
here. One " ... (person) ... "said ‘The ground begin to wiggle around and
jump up and down and I not know which way to run.' " ... (People) ... "come
alongside and dive for money and beg for food of any kind. One fellow saved
the bread from the table and threw it to them. Some went in the water but
it made no difference to them. They shook the salt water off and ate it
just the same. They claimed they were starving but later they fetched four
chickens aboard and tried to sell them. A man his son, and daughter came
aboard in after noon asking for food. They had money but could buy nothing
to eat. They were given some food. And they also stayed till mess was
piped down and sat down with the Blue Jackets and everyone near their table
shared his rations with them. The little girl was about 11 years old. They
all looked very thin. Most of the white people who had lost everything and
although they had money could buy no food, flocked to the docks and the
Missouri sent them food. About 3 PM a Hamburg American Liner drew up to the
dock and took them aboard. When the liner got under weigh, they made
themselves hoarse cheering the Chaplain and American Blue Jackets. It is
said that every body has money but that a piece of bread will buy any thing.
The only thing they can find to eat is oranges. Every body thinks this
place got a worse shaking than San Francisco but there were not so many tall
buildings to add to the damage. We took the English governor on board for a
visit today. The landing party came aboard tonight. Nearly all had
souvenirs of the disaster some had partialy melted gold watches some numbers
of houses. The American council and family are aboard they gave the
medalions and bric a brac of their house as souvenirs all they brought
aboard was the city papers and their cloaths."
"Fri 18" (no further entry)
"Sat 19 Coaled and pulled out as the Governor said we were doing more harm
than good."
That is the entire account that is in my father's "log." I will start to
organize the photographs and send you another message when I have something
to offer you.
Thank you for your interest. It will be good to know that my father's
photos will have an appropriate repository.
David Greene
