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January 3, 1909 -- Messina, Sicily


NH 1177: Messina Earthquake, December 28, 1908. Refugees waiting for transportation at Messina, Sicily. Photographed in January 1909. NHHC Photograph Collection
Caption: NH 1177: Messina Earthquake, December 28, 1908. Refugees waiting for transportation at Messina, Sicily. Photographed in January 1909. NHHC Photograph Collection

G6710 18--.18 Til: Map of Italy. F. Corbetta. Courtesy of the Library of Congress. Geography and Map Division.
Caption: G6710 18--.18 Til: Map of Italy. F. Corbetta. Courtesy of the Library of Congress. Geography and Map Division.

The patrol yacht, Scorpion, arrived to help the survivors of the Messina, Sicily, earthquake that occured on December 28, 1908.   With the Great White Fleet making its way through the Suez Canal, President Theodore Roosevelt ordered the U.S. Navy to assist.   Other ships helping with supplies and medical assistance were USS Culgoa, USS Yankton, USS Connecticut, USS Illinois, and USS Celtic.  Of note, Scorpion would later be interned by the Turkish government during World War I.   After Armistice, she was restored to the control of the U.S. Navy.  


LC-DIG-PPMSCA-36063: President Theodore Roosevelt, by The Perry Pictures, October 11, 1901. Courtesy of the Library of Congress.
Caption: LC-DIG-PPMSCA-36063: President Theodore Roosevelt, by The Perry Pictures, October 11, 1901. Courtesy of the Library of Congress.

NH 2359: USS Culgoa (1898-1922, later AF-1), at Messina, Sicily, in January 1909 to render assistance to the victims of the earthquake. NHHC Photograph Collection.
Caption: NH 2359: USS Culgoa (1898-1922, later AF-1), at Messina, Sicily, in January 1909 to render assistance to the victims of the earthquake. NHHC Photograph Collection.

NH 1447: Messina Earthquake, Sicily, Italy. Damage caused by the earthquake. Photographed in January 1909. NHHC Photograph Collection.
Caption: NH 1447: Messina Earthquake, Sicily, Italy. Damage caused by the earthquake. Photographed in January 1909. NHHC Photograph Collection.

NH 108722: USS Scorpion (PY-3), before Sultan’s Palace in Constantinople, Turkey. NHHC Photograph Collection.
Caption: NH 108722: USS Scorpion (PY-3), before Sultan’s Palace in Constantinople, Turkey. NHHC Photograph Collection.
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Published: Thu Apr 23 13:11:12 EDT 2020