earthquake in its ruin. The new Post Office, a handsome government
building, also suffered severely from the shock, its walls being badly
cracked and injury done by earthquake and fire that it is estimated will
need half a million dollars to repair.


FREAKS OF THE EARTHQUAKE.


One observer states that the earthquake appeared to be very irregular in
its course. He tells us that "there are gas reservoirs with frames all
twisted and big factories thrown to the ground, while a few yards away
are miserable shanties with not a board out of place. Wooden, steel and
brick structures hardly felt the earthquake in some parts of the city,
while in other places all were wrecked.

"Skirting the shore northwest from the big ferry building--which was
so seriously injured that it will have to be rebuilt--the first thing
observed was the extraordinary irregularity of the earthquake's course.
Pier No. 5, for instance, is nothing but a mass of ruins, while Pier No.
3, on one side of it and Pier No. 7, on the other side, similar in size
and construction, are undamaged. Farther on, the Kosmos Line pier is a
complete wreck."

The big forts at the entrance to the Golden Gate also suffered seriously
from the great shake-up, and the emplacements of the big guns were
cracked and damaged. The same is the case with the fortifications
back of Old Fort Point, the great guns in these being for the present
rendered useless. It will take much time and labor to restore their
delicate adjustment upon their carriages.