This short, silent film shows the U.S. Navy on maneuvers, and also it shows the response to the aftermath of the 1931 Nicaragua. This earthquake devastated Nicaragua’s capital city Managua on 31 March. It had a moment magnitude of 6.1 and a maximum MSK intensity of VI (Strong). Between 1,000 and 2,450 people were killed. A major fire started and destroyed thousands of structures, burning into the next day.
The film begins with footage of a U.S. Navy warship USS Colorado on maneuvers, with the crew performing maintenance including painting and other tasks. At 1:12, the crew and ship’s band assembles on deck for review by the ship’s captain. At 1:58 the ship anchors. An early aircraft carrier, probably USS Saratoga (CV-3) is shown launching aircraft. At 2:27, biplanes fly over the fleet. At 3:28, an airplane is recovered. At 3:32 a submarine, probably a member of the S-class, is shown submerging. At 3:55 the captain is shown conducting observations through the periscope. At 4:27 the submarine surfaces. At 4:55 a title card announces that during the fleet maneuver, news of the March 31, 1931 earthquake was received and the Navy decided to respond with food and medicine. At 5:12, torpedo bomber aircraft are loaded to deliver supplies. They fly inland, while additional aircraft are prepared. At 6:20, aerial views of what is probably Managua after the quake. At 6:54, the “errand of mercy” is shown in full swing with Navy personnel feeding the hungry and attempting to clear debris (7:23) in the devastated area. At 7:53, a red cross flag flies from a U.S. Navy ship as a memorial service or Sunday prayer is conducted. The film concludes with the fleet once again on the move.
USS Colorado (BB-45) was a battleship of the United States Navy that was in service from 1923 to 1947. She was the lead ship of the Colorado class of battleships. Her keel was laid down on 29 May 1919, by the New York Shipbuilding Corporation. She was launched on 22 March 1921, and commissioned on 30 August 1923. She was armed with eight 16-inch (406 mm) guns and fourteen 5-inch (127 mm) deck guns; two 5-inch guns were removed in an overhaul. Colorado took her maiden voyage in 1923, to Europe
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