“The Earthquake as Viewed by Scientists” is a valuable addition to the seismology of the world—a science that is too little known, but which possesses tremendous interest for everyone.

The threatened destruction of Naples by the volcano of Vesuvius preceding the San Francisco disaster is fully described. The chapters on Vesuvius are especially valuable and interesting, by reason of the scientific belief that the two disasters are intimately related.

Altogether this volume is the best and most complete history of all the great disasters of the world and one that should be in the hands of every intelligent citizen, both as a historical and reference volume.

THE PUBLISHERS.

CONTENTS

Preface[7]
Introduction[21]
CHAPTER I.
THE DOOMED CITY.
Earthquake Begins the Wreck of San Francisco and a Conflagration withoutParallel Completes the Work of Destruction—Tremendous Loss of Life inQuake and Fire—Property Loss $200,000,000[33]
CHAPTER II.
SAN FRANCISCO A ROARING FURNACE.
Flames Spread in a Hundred Directions and the Fire Becomes the GreatestConflagration of Modern Times—Entire Business Section and Fairest Partof Residence District Wiped Off the Map—Palaces of Millionaires Vanishin Flames or are Blown Up by Dynamite—The Worst Day of the Catastrophe[46]
CHAPTER III.
THIRD DAY ADDS TO HORROR.
Fire Spreads North and South Attended by Many Spectacular Features—HeroicWork of Soldiers Under General Funston—Explosions of Gas Add to General Terror[57]
CHAPTER IV.
TWENTY SQUARE MILES OF WRECK AND RUIN.
Fierce Battle to Save the Famous Ferry Station, the Chief Inlet to and Egressfrom San Francisco—Fire Tugs and Vessels in the Bay Aid in Heroic Fight—FortMason, General Funston’s Temporary Headquarters, has NarrowEscape—A Survey of the Scene of Desolation[69]
CHAPTER V.
THE CITY OF A HUNDRED HILLS.
A Description of San Francisco, the Metropolis of the Pacific Coast, Before theFire—One of the Most Beautiful and Picturesque Cities in America—Homeof the California Bonanza Kings[78]