The San Francisco Disaster

New Zealand Tablet, Volume XXXIV, Issue 26, 28 June 1906, Page 20

The San Francisco Disaster

Ihe saving of the magnificent St. Mary's Cathedral of San Francisco, in spite of the fire that breathed devastation all around it, is one of the fortunate incidents of the cataclysm. The edifice was saved largely through the heroism of one fireman. The steeple had caught fire and the fireman, observing the flames, scaled the perilous height with a 'hose 'attached to his belt and played a stream on. the burning section, until theblaze was extinguished. Thousands cheered the heroic deed. In front of the Cathedral on the Sim-day following the terribUe visitation a moving spectacle was witnessed. On the steps which overlook the blackened waste that commenced just across .the street, Archbishop Montgomery celebrated Mass at eight o'clock. The service was attended by thousands, covering the church steps-and extending well up and down the street in either direction. The Archbishop's -words and his rreferr r ence to the death of Fire Chief Sullivan from injuries received in the. earthquake affected the entire assemblage, tears streaming down hundreds of faces upturned to the tiny altar in the open doorway of the vestibule The Archbishop of San Francisco, the. Most Rev. P. J*. Riordan, was with his brother, Rev. D. J. Riordan, cf Chicago, on his way to. attend the Baltimore Cathed/ral centenary when >the disaster, .occurred. He at once issued an appeal for aid to all the Bishous in the United States, and returned to his stricken city.