of horror
and death at the State Asylum which collapsed, and in other ruined
cities of the Pacific coast.

"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 without Parallel Completes
the Work of Destruction--Tremendous Loss of
Life in Quake 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 Greatest Conflagration of
Modern Times--Entire Business Section and
Fairest Part of Residence District Wiped Off
the Map--Palaces of Millionaires Vanish in
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--Heroic Work 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 Egress from
San Francisco--Fire Tugs and Vessels in the
Bay Aid in Heroic Fight--Fort Mason, General
Funston's Temporary Headquarters, has Narrow
Escape--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 the Fire--One of
the Mos