Perhaps the highlight of the torpedo boat destroyer 's career came during the earthquake which struck San Francisco on 18 April 1906 , and the resulting fire which devastated the city . For four days after , they were awakened by severe rolling and pitching of their ship before dawn on 18 April , the crew labored to save the western metropolis by fighting fires ; patrolling districts where stores , warehouses , and homes were threatened by looters ; and providing medical aid to countless injured men , women , and children
earthquake which struck San Francisco
1906 San Francisco earthquake
USS Perry (DD-11)