Memphis daily appeal. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1847-1886, 1868-07-05


ing constantly from 500 to 1000 feet.
The grandeur of this scene no imagina-
ton can picture, no one who has not
seen IT can realize.
Then there was the rapid, rolling
stream, rushing and tumbling ike a
swollen rivet down the hill, over the
precipiee and down the valley to the
sea, surging and roaring Ike a cataract,
with fury perfectly indeseribable.
This river Of FIRE varied from 500 TO
1900 or 1900 feet in width, and when it
is known that the descent was 2000 feet
in FIVE miles, the statement that it ran
at the rate of ten miles an hour will not
be doubted
We waited till night, when the scene
was hundred-fold more grand and
vivid, the crimson red of the lava dOubly
bright; and the lurid glare Of the red
smoke clouds that overhung the whole,
roaring of the rushing stream, the noise
of the tumbling rocks thrown out Of the
crater. and flashes of electric lightning,
altogether made it surprisingly grand,
and showed that man is nothing as com
pared with his Creator.
The ever varying, eyerehanging pyro-
teehnie display we watched for hours
some Of US all night / took a sketch on
the spot, which l send you, and only
wish it could be inserted in the paper as
sent. 1t can give only faint idea of
this grand scene.
Finding it impossible to get over to
Waiohinu, either by going up the noun
tain or by sea, we returned to this place
on Saturday, and hope to go on soon by
steamer. From the Kau side the scene
4 is even more beautiful than what we
had, as there visitors can get up very
near the crater, and also directly over
the lava stream. Another advantage of
the Kau side is that the visitor is not
exposed to the strong sulphurous gases
and smoke.
INCIDENTS OF THE ERUPTION.
The writer from whom we have above
quoted gives the following
The number Of shocks which occurred
at Waiohinu from March 29th to April
10th is estimated by Mr.. SiIloway to
have been upward Of 1000, there having
been some days between 300 aud 400.
The heaviest shock occurred on Thurs
day April ID, being the same that was
felt so sensibly at Honolulu. This de-
stroyed every church and nearly every
dwelling in the whole district.
From 10 to u O'Clock Of that day
there had been service in the large
church in Waiohinu, and it was crowded
with people Only four hours after they
left the heavy shock came the walls
tumbled in, and the roof fell fatal the
work of twenty seconds.
At the same instant every man, Bo-
man and child were thrown from their
feet. Horses and cattle dropped down
as if dead, A man riding on horseback
had his horse to tumble under him so sud
denly that he found himself and horse
lying fat on the ground before the
thought Of an earthquake entered his
mind.
The earth opened all through the dis
triet, and in some places caused danger
Gus assures, while in others it closed up
again. In ens PLACE it closed twenty
feet from where it opened. These rs
sures make it dangerous to travel in the
dark. Everywhere the roads are bro
ken up, and it will take much money
and labor to restore them to their old
condition.
As the Kona packet was passing the
south point cf the island, about three
miles from the shore, a eonical island
400 feet high, rose out Of the sea, mid
way between the vessel and the land,
emitting column Of steam and smoke.
The lava river flows into the sea at this
island, and has extended the shore out
! to it one mile at least, so that is is now
on the mainland The packet was so
near when this island burst up that the
mud was spattered on the masts and
sails Of the vessel.
The scene at the eruption Was a most
melancholy one to witness. There were
hundreds Of fine cattle grazing around
the farm houses, when the lava streams
/ surrounded them and hemmed them in.
/ The poor animals seemed aware Of the
danger, but saw 20 way to escape, The
fiery lava drew nearer and nearer till the
heat made them restless, but they would
noarun. They bravely looked the bloody
I fos IL the face, stood firm till it reached
them, then fsll in the stream sudden
cloud of smoke followed and not a sign
remained Thus one after another fell
until over 200 we're consumed.
An incident which ought not 60 be
omitted is the shower Of ashes which
preceded the eruption. During Monday
night, prior to the eruption, the ground
/ throughout thf district was covered with
a coating of fine sand and LIGHT pumicC
stone Of light yellowish color Where
+ this shower Of sand and pumice came
from is as yet unknown, but probably
from some vent hole near the crater.
The sufferings and alarm experienced
by the residents Of Kau during the two
weeks that TIE earthquake and erup.
tions continued, prior 60 their leaving
appear to have been great. Night after
night, they were compelled to sleep OF
the mountains ridges back Of the village
exposed to the cold aud damp wind.
and rain from the sea, subsisting on tarC
and fishes when they could get these, ol
fasting when they could not.
The whole district is in ruins, a 6elc
Of desQlation, and probably $500, 00t
would pot restore It to what it was
month ago. 1t is AZ gonder that tn,
foreigners are leaving the g.ace, will
the intention Of never returning to i
again.
The number Of deaths will be betweel
eighty and one hundred. The exac
nuRber may not be known for som,
time, as sons YeFsons are missing who's
absence may yet be accounted for. Tn
loss Of life is melancholy indeed, asd IL
sympathy Of the Hawaiian people,
trust, viii be deeply expressed in som
way to the mourning ana kareaved fam
lies Of Kau, whose tender ties hay
been so saddenly and keenly severed b,
the hand Of God
The tidal wave was much gfeatSr thai
before stated. It rolled in over the top
Of the cocoanut trees, probably sixt,
feet high, and drove the floating rubbish
timber. etc, inland distance Of quar-
ter Of mile in some places, takinI