The Pacific commercial advertiser. [volume] (Honolulu, Hawaiian Islands) 1856-1888, 1859-03-10
PROF. ALEXAND ER'S ACCOUNT.

MR EDITOR At time when all information re-
lating to the eruption is eagerly received, brief
sketch of what the company to which belongei saw
and did, may be interesting to your readers, partic-
ularly as reached the source by route different
from that taken by any other party, excepting per-
haps Mr.. Vaudry. Our party sailed from Honouu
in the RIaoole. Tuesday Feb. lst. and landed at
Kcsakekua Thursday noon. During the preceding
night we had distant view of the eruption,
like STAR two-thirds up the mountain, with sreaks
of light branching out from below. Friday was spent
in preparations for the aunt and on Saturday MORN
ing out for the crater from kuapebu, IN di-
rection nearly east.
As we began emerge from the woods we had
fine view of the JET playing at distance OF perhaps
twenty five miles, to the height, as we afterwards es-
timated, of three hundred feet. 1t was OF deep
red COLOR in form and movement exactly like foun-
tain and was accompanied by immense columns OF
steam. 1t concealed from our view, howev-
er, by the fanks of NJ M,una Loa. About twelve miles
from the coast road we reached n watering place
called Waiio, which we found nearly dry.
Here we were obliged to send back our horses and
pack oxen and proceed on foot. Our guide then led
ss in direction about E. s. E. across rugged tract
Of clinkers TO n cave eight miles from Waiio, where
we encamped for the night. This cave had formed
part of the channel of a subterraneln stream, which
left series of deep caverns, assures aud pits to mark
IT'S ceurse.
During the afternoon the party, being in want Of
water pushed six eight miles S. s. E. to well
known watering place called RDapuawai, where they
encamped At this point the cold was SO intense at
night, that crust OF ice All lncn tiiicA was
formed in calabashes, and the berries around our
camp were frozen ha. /. As far as we could judge
by the horizon, were about thousand feet iower
than the summit of Hualalai, and accordingly, 800
feet above the sea- On account Of the failure of this
spring. rs we'll for other reasons, II was thought
expe ent to divide the party. Half Of them, headed
by Pres Beckwith, returned to Xaawaloa, and went
out to the lava flow by Gov. Adams road.
The advance party started again directly for the
crater on Wednesday morning, consisting Of twelve
ite me nd a
sions During this days march the rarity of the at
mosphere affected US all more or less, but especially
natives, who seemed unable to carry their usual
loads We slowly ascending nearly all day.
The vegetation became and more scanty, till IL
almost entirely disappeared.
About noon we crossed a recent how, perhaps that
of ls47. and at 4, r NJ, (Feb. 30 after march OF
about twenty miles N. E we suddenly found the two
active craers. and the lava stream in its whole
tent, Immediately below US. We encamped n nile
and half s. W. Of the larger cone, on an eminence
commanding fine view Of the whole eruption Large
banks of and ice found within aquarterof OF
mile from camp, that all anxiety on the score
of water was soon dlsslpated.
The sight which enjoyed that night will not be
forgotten by any Vt the party The Jet had ceased to
play, but the two craters blowing off enormous
columns Of seam and showers of red-hot scoria with
noise like that of heavy surf, or occasionally ike
discharges Of artillery. Half mile below the lower
crater appeared cataract of fire, continued or sew
eral miles in winding river OF light. which then d-
vided into net work of branches enclosing numer-
Gus islands The branch towards Kawaihae still gave
dull red light in few spots, but the force OF the
stream seemed to be directed west, toWar1D kona
Two new streams seemed to be ranning race, as
it we're in that direction, and could re the forest
blazing before them The next day (l0th) was rainy
and the fog 80 dense that We could not travel ne
moved down couple of miles, and encamped on tho
fresh lava stream half mile south Of the principal
cone By the heat Of the steam cracks We boiled our
coffee, roasted meat and potatoes. and melted q
snow which our natives had brought down in sacks,
..rr- Ill