Weekly national intelligencer. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1841-1869, 1852-08-14
HE LATE VOLCANIC ERUPTION AT THE SAND
WICH ISLANDS.

The annexed interesting notice of visit to the
scene Of the late eruption is copied from the San
Francisco Pacific :"
You doubtless have already in the Poynesan an
account Of the recent eruption Mauna Loa; but it
my privilege to be eyewitness of il for TWEEN
tyfour hours, when its action the magnificent
will send you brief description Of what saw and
heard. The first eruption the summit of Mauna Loa
about fourteen thousand five hundred feet above the level
of the sea, only in the far distance il being on the
Ho side, and opposite from That outbreak very
sudden and, as at Hilo, most magnificent;
where, though sixty miles distant the light
great as TO awaken the umbering inhabitants This
early the morning Of February l7th 1t continued its
action only about twentyfour hours then all was quiet
again. and it supposed that the internal fires had suf
fcieny disgorged themselves but early the morning
OF the 10th it burst out again with great fury, half way
down the mountain in the very direction of Ho Ii
forth liquid stream of great depth and width which
flowed at the rate of several miles an hour threatening
ruin to the village and bay of Hilo thiry-sx miles dis
tant This stream continued aow but with diminished
activity for than three weeks 1t ceased to flow en-
trey before il reached Ho ending the painful suspense
SO long felt there.
The light of the volcano at night was very great IL
Illuminating the surrounding country for many miles dis
tan and giving the oyerhangng clouds the
of an immense body of fire. After witnessing this for
several nights my desire to visit became strong that
resolved make the long and tedious Journey to take
near view Of this grand display of the Amightys power
Accompanied by Mr. Fuller out on the lst day of
March. After travelling through woods and wide
districts OF naked lava, arrived at the vicinity Of the
eruption the forenoon of the third day Its deep
earthly roar which began hear early on the day be-
Tore waxed louder and louder as we drew nearer and
the action unt resembed the the
pillows when driven by the force of hurricane against
coast, or like the deafenng Of Niagara
We first reached the deep channel through which a
wide stream of liquid lava had flowed down the mountain
desoang an area of vast extent it had ceased flow
in this direction but flowing still at little distance
at which we gazed with delight The main stream was
stl beyond which could not approach of
the great heat but night had fine view of the
fiery river, at great distance from our encampment
Though the lava gushed out in several places like
springs yet the main fountain of indescribabe
grandeur. In the midst of forming cone, with base
OF two or three hundred feet there shot up Jet of clear
liquid lava to the height of from four eight hundred
feet combining IN its ascent and descent all the beauties
OF the finest water founainsje after jet assembled in
constant and regular succession day after day descend
ing, mostly fell back into the crater but sometimes it
fell scattering on its sides and flowed down uniting with
the main stream The outer portions cooled to black
ened mass while in the air. the upper and lighter portions
carried by the propeng force the regions Of the
Clouds and fell in showers the surrounding country
The intense heat of the fountain and stream Of lava
caused influx of cool air in every quarter this created
terrific whirlwinds which, constantly stalking about like
many sentinels, babe defiance the daring ysiter
These were the most dangerous Of any thing about the
volcano. Sometimes we we're compelled to PROSTATE
ourselves for safety. Once ventured within about
quarter of mile of the great JET of the
terrific whirwinds formed at the crater and advanced
but fortunately for spent its force and turned the
right leaving us TO make rapid retreat.
We similar whrlng around the let and con-
cealng it with dense cloud of ashes if engaged in
furious combat The contendng elements presented
most wonderful spectacle When the strife ceased the
fountain appeared in constant action though nothing
had occurred Clouds approaching the volcano
driven back, and set moving in wild confusion
The glare Of the liquid fountain very great
when the shining; but at night it vastly
more So casting the light of nearly full moon in the
shade and turning night into day Spending the night
near the eruption during its greatest action felt our
selves highly privileged.
Very few mortas have had the opportunity of hearing
such deep, unearthly roar and Of witnessing such
molten river, such lofty fiery fountain such terrific
whrwnds and agitated clouds all at the same time and
within little space Such is calculated To fill
with feelings Of and towards the great
Author of natures wonderous works With great reluc
lance we left spectacle and retraced steps
That day reached the old volcano Klauea and spen
the night the brink Of the crater; much actor
there at present.
Time will not permit me to add more.
Sincerely yours, II. KINNEY.
WAooHISU KAU, APRIL 49, 1852.