First-Hand Experience of the San Francisco Earthquake
Even though America had claimed itself as a strong nation, the amount of power we had couldn't stop San Francisco from crumbing due to a deadly earthquake. In 1906, the historical and destructive earthquake struck in San Francisco, California. According to Emma Burke, a resident of a fourth-story apartment flat neighboring the Golden Gate Park, said this earthquake was one she didn't intend to walk out of uninjured or even dead. This earthquake lasted a whole 48 seconds. That may not seem like a long time to someone watching the clock, but imagine standing in the doorframe of your apartment watching your house crumble beneath you for that whole time. "I looked across the reception-room at the white face of our son, and thought to see the floors give way with him momentarily. How a building could stand such motion and keep its frame intact is still a mystery to me," writes Burke. This brief description can describe faintly of the chaos constructed by this natural disaster. Later on in the article, Emma Burke also stated that her piano hurled across the parlor and their 185 pound picture of a great marine crashed to the floor. I can only imagine the immense fear that was being felt this whole time.
Burke continues on to describe the destruction of the city outside her apartment. She says that chimneys had fallen off houses and tall buildings were tilting in unusual ways. Burke and her family proceeded to sleep in the park that night in case of any other unexpected quakes hit. The next morning, her husband was ordered to take charge of water distribution. Fires started from this vicious quake and were about a mile and a half away from the park. Days passed for everyone currently living in the park and eventually, 4 nights later, they moved back to their apartment. With all this chaotic events taking place, Emma Burke realized that there was faith in humanity because everyone was each others "bother and sister." Nobody stepped away to help others in need and with the help of the whole community, San Francisco was back on its feet within weeks.
Even though America had claimed itself as a strong nation, the amount of power we had couldn't stop San Francisco from crumbing due to a deadly earthquake. In 1906, the historical and destructive earthquake struck in San Francisco, California. According to Emma Burke, a resident of a fourth-story apartment flat neighboring the Golden Gate Park, said this earthquake was one she didn't intend to walk out of uninjured or even dead. This earthquake lasted a whole 48 seconds. That may not seem like a long time to someone watching the clock, but imagine standing in the doorframe of your apartment watching your house crumble beneath you for that whole time. "I looked across the reception-room at the white face of our son, and thought to see the floors give way with him momentarily. How a building could stand such motion and keep its frame intact is still a mystery to me," writes Burke. This brief description can describe faintly of the chaos constructed by this natural disaster. Later on in the article, Emma Burke also stated that her piano hurled across the parlor and their 185 pound picture of a great marine crashed to the floor. I can only imagine the immense fear that was being felt this whole time.
Burke continues on to describe the destruction of the city outside her apartment. She says that chimneys had fallen off houses and tall buildings were tilting in unusual ways. Burke and her family proceeded to sleep in the park that night in case of any other unexpected quakes hit. The next morning, her husband was ordered to take charge of water distribution. Fires started from this vicious quake and were about a mile and a half away from the park. Days passed for everyone currently living in the park and eventually, 4 nights later, they moved back to their apartment. With all this chaotic events taking place, Emma Burke realized that there was faith in humanity because everyone was each others "bother and sister." Nobody stepped away to help others in need and with the help of the whole community, San Francisco was back on its feet within weeks.