Three U.S. warships of the Atlantic Squadron's Cruiser Division 7, Commanded by Admiral Husband E. Kimmel, are seen making way through extremely rough seas off the Patagonian coast approaching Cape Horn. The Cruisers are sister ships: USS Tuscaloosa (CA-37), USS Quincy (CA-39) and Admiral Kimmel's Flagship, the USS San Francisco (CA-38). The Cruisers have slowed to 16 knots (from their usual 31K) due to the heavy seas. Waves are seen breaking over them as their bows plunge deep into the sea. The Tuscaloosa signals to the Flagship via blinker, that she is sustaining damage, including some loose plates. (Admiral Kimmel reportedly ordered all ships to further reduce speed to 10 knots.) Note: The footage was shot by cameraman lashed to bridge of the USS San Francisco.
Views of extreme destruction from an earthquake in Chile, on January 24, 1939, that killed 25 thousand and injured 40 thousand persons. Homeless people stand out side wreckage. Relief supplies that the U.S. Army Air Corps flew from Panama are seen. Since all Red Cross medical planes were already being used, U.S. President, Franklin D. Roosevelt ordered additional medical supplies to be transported on the U.S. Army Air Corps XB-15 bomber, a single prototype, operated by the 2nd Bombardment Group at Langley Field, Virginia. Views of pilot, Major Caleb V. Haynes, supervising the loading of supplies. With Major Haynes,at the controls, the XB-15 is seen taking off on its earthquake relief mission in February 1939. Later, it is seen landing back at Langley Field, Virginia, after completing its mission. (Note: For this exceptional flight, Major Haynes and his crew were awarded the MacKay Trophy, in 1939.)
1939 Chillán earthquake in Chile, South America. Thousands of people are killed, and houses destroyed because of an earthquake. Destroyed houses and buildings in Chillán, south-central Chile. Soldiers walk through rubble. Smoke rise from pile of debris. Men view the destruction caused by the earthquake and walk through the debris.
Aspiring matadors are seen swirling their capes at a bull ring in Caracas, Venezuela, while another student moves among them holding a set of bull's horns. Closeup of instructor speaking. Scene shifts to student working with a live bull, before spectators in the gallery. After a few moments, the bull tangles up the student matador's cape and he runs and jumps out of the ring into the spectator section. Other bull fighting personnel distract the bull as it runs around in the ring and jumps over the inner wall of the bull ring. Views of spectators applauding (possibly for the bull). Another student being roughed up by a bull as other men with capes hurry to distract the bull. Another student matador being bested by a bull that takes his cape and chases him. Audience members stand and cheer and wave kerchiefs. The next student seems quite confident, and kneels close to his bull as he employs his cape. But, suddenly, the bull pulls the cape from him, and he too must retreat
Scenes of aftermath from an earthquake that devastated provinces near Chillan, Chile. Aerial view of devastated region of Chillán. A boy walks on debris. President of Chile, Pedro Aguirre Cerda (jn striped suit and dotted tie on left) seen walking with other government officials, priests, and officers to tour the devastation. People carry cartons and boxes of relief supplies from an airplane that has landed. Wreckage of buildings and houses. Soldiers inspect the debris and walk on rubble. Many destroyed buildings. People put their belongings in carts. Refugees seated outside with their belongings in the streets.
Opening scene shows the Percival Mew Gull aircraft E2H, G-AEXF, accompanied by several persons walking beside while taxiing across the field at Gravesend Airport, Kent, England. It has just landed, on a return flight from Wingfield Aerodrome, at Cape Town, South Africa. The exhausted pilot, Alex Henshaw, is seen starting to climb from the cockpit of his airplane. Surrounded by a large crowd pressed close around the airplane, Henshaw is lifted bodily from the cockpit and carried upon the shoulders of well wishers. The next scene is a closeup of Henshaw, with face blackened by oil, drinking from a cup, while surrounded by a group of men. Glimpse from behind Gravesend's Mayor, wearing Chain of office, as he greets Henshaw, who is next seen being carried, again, on shoulders of greeters, accompanied by several policemen. (Note: Alex Henshaw set a record in 1939, taking off on 5 February 1939 from Gravesend Airport, landing at Wingfield Aerodrome at the Cape on the 6th. He flew 6,377 miles in 39 hours and 25 minutes, averaging 209.44 mph. This film shows the completion of his return flight retracing the same route and distance, which took 11 minutes longer.)