16 MIDDLEMISS : KANGRA EARTHQUAKE. 



Earthquake Form.- - Capt, C. Stansfeld, 7th Gurkha Rifles, was in the house 

 known as " Suoalterns' quarters" belonging to the 1st Gurkha Rifles. Ke was 

 indoors lying down in bed. Time about 6-15 (guessed). Two tremulous vibrations 

 and two principal shocks, with about 3-4- seconds between the latter. The first 

 shocks woke him, and he thought it was only a slight earthquake until he heard 

 the roar which he diagnosed as the rumble of an earthquake shock, such as he had 

 frequently heard in Shillong, Assam. It was this that made him leave, the house. 

 The shocks were so intense that as he got out of his quarters, he was thrown to the 

 ground and at the same time the house, consisting of four officers' quarters, 

 absolutely " sat do wn " without any preliminary swayinc after the first shocks. 

 The roar appeared to approach from the north-east or north. He was thrown 

 down from N. W. to S. E. or W. to E. 



Verbal corroboration of the above was obtained from several other 

 officers. The experiences of Major Clay, 7th Gurkha Rifles, are instruc- 

 tive. He was living in " Woodside " (see p. 21), and whilst rescuing his 

 little son was struck down insensible by a block of stone and partially 

 buried under the debris from the chimney and wall. The continuation 

 of the narrative is given in the words of the Pioneer correspondent, and 

 they are quoted nearly in full as giving a vivid picture of the sudden- 

 ness of the earthquake and the necessity for prompt action in cases of 

 this kind to save the stunned and bruised from being suffocated : — 



When Major Clay recovered from the shock, which rendered him insensible, he 

 made for the quarter -guard some distance above his house. The guard had 

 ' 'fallen in,' ' quietly awaiting orders. The assembly was sounded and all uninjured 

 men appeared, and working parties were instantly formed under such officers as 

 were unhurt. Most fortunately Major Hehir [Medical Officer], was among these., 

 though one out of two hospital assistants was injured, and the other was suffering 

 from shock. Both the latter, however, asked to share in the task before them. It 

 had been seen that the European barracks [occupied by the 7th Gurkha Rifles] 

 were wrecked, and Major Clay hurried there, disregarding his own injuries. The 

 sight that met the fescue party was appalling. Some six or seven men were lying 

 on the ground outside, and these seemed to be all the survivors out of over 250 

 known to have been quartered within the two buildings. In spite of overhanging 

 walls and buildings, which threatened to fall every moment, the officers and men 

 set to work, and their efforts were well rewarded. It is calculated that over 100 

 men inside the barracks were killed at once, while others who were dragged out of 

 the ruins died shortly afterwards ; but many injured would have perished had not 

 their comrades toiled to the point of exhaustion. It was a fight against time, and 

 everyone felt this. Men who were dragged out insensible and half suffocated no 

 sooner recovered their strength than they rushed back to the ruins and joined 

 in the work of rescue. It is believed that at the time of the earthquake many 



