Eastern times. [volume] (Bath, Me.) 1846-1857, 1851-08-21
New Island in the Mediter-
ranean.

The remarkable phenomenon of islands ris-
ing in the sea, through the effect of volcanic
eruptions, says the New York Tribune, seems
TO have been repeated of late years. We learn
from our European journals that an island in
the Mediterranean, which appeared some time
since, and then sunk, has given symptoms of
temperance. An island of considerable size
emerged from the sea in 1881, between Sicily
and Pantellaria, during an extraordinary vol
canic eruption. 1t was visited and explored,
and even three nations contended for its pos
session. England and France both planted
their banner on it, while it lay in the mara,ime
domain of Naples; but after short time it
again vanished in the sea. According 10 the
accounts, it has again shown itself within a
few months; and though still ten feet under
water, the Captain of the Eaglish ship Scourge
has taken possession Of it the second time for
the British crown, by raising the British flag
on its fuctuating surface.
The prospect of this island again appearing
above the level of the sea, gives new interest
10 the history of its first formation in 1881
We gather the principle facts on this subject
from our German files.
During its ephemeral existence in 1881, this
| island received seven different names Corrao,
from the man who claimed to be its first dis
coverer: Hotham Island, in honor 10 the Brit
ish Vice Admiral Hotham, who sent several
vessels to explore the new island; Nevita !;
Graham's Island; Junia, in reference to the
month in which it arose from the sea and f.
nally, Ferdinandia or Isoa de Fernando |, be-
cause it was situated in TIE sea pertaining to
the kingdom of Naples.
Its position was nearly midway between the
city Of Sciacea, in Sicily, and the volcanic is
land Pantellaria, about two miles from each
point. Before the event of 1881, the sea was
600 feet deep at this spot On the 2s,h day of
June, 1881, ship sailing over the spot felt the
shock of an earthquake, which was also felt
very plainly from that day to July in Scia-
cca. On the 9th of July, the captain of a ST.
Gillian brig, Mr.. Trifeletti, observed on that
spot mountain of water, as large as ship of
the line, rising with noise of thunder to the
height of eighty feet. 1t remained at this
height for about ten minutes, then sunk down,
giving place TO thick clouds of smoke, which
broke forth from the sea, and after about
quarter of an hour were suppressed by the mass
of water which again arose. Cora, a ship
captain, saw the same thing on the 10th of Ju-
ly He reckoned the height of the smoke
cloud. at about l 800 feet. On the 18th of Ju-
ly, he discovered, at the place Of the water
spout, a small island, projecting about IL feet
from the sea. 1t had crater, from which as.
cendsd an immense volume of steam, accompa-
MED with frequent eruptions. The sea was
covered with floating scoria and dead fish,
These had also been fioated down in very great
numbers to the Sicilian coast, near Sciacea, on
the 18th of July. The eruptions continued, and
the island gradually increased in height and
circumference.
The late Prussian geologist, Fr. Hoffman,
visited the spot on the Gath of July, and des-
cribed the appearance Of the eruptions and the
island ITSELF The accounts of Carlo Gemel-
laro, Osborne, Swinebnrne, Arago, Constant
Provost, and Wright, who subsequently, sailed
around the island confirmed the description Of
Hoffman, who made another attempt at landing
on the 95th of August. J. Davy, who also
visited the island, collected all the descriptions
that had been given up to October %. On the
2sth Of September, Provost and Arago found
the circumstance of the island to be z, $50
feet, and the greatest height 2l5 feet. They
confirmed the opinion that it was oaly IN -
eamalasion Of loose volcanic matter, aad saw
the white vspor sverywhsrs sill ascending