The Hawaiian gazette. [volume] (Honolulu [Oahu, Hawaii]) 1865-1918, 1868-04-29


moval have been slaughtered. 1t seems
| wonderful that any should have escaped the
effects OF the heat, or the sitting gases Of
the eruption. The widest bulloeks on these
/ spots have been so terrified that they are
tame, and even court the assistance of the
men who are trying TO rescue them.
| Capt. Brown, with his stick to test any
suspicious spots, led the way over the lava,
still so hot as almost to be unbearable, to
the top Of hill which lad not been sub
merged, from whence a distant sight was
obtained of the head of the stream. This
looked like a cavern in the mountain, as if
it had burst, and from its deep recess had
issued forth the desolating black stream
whose destructive course could be traced to
the sea. No fire could be seen at any place;
a little smoke, here and there, alone indicated
remaining heat.
This flow has been short and violent.
There still remains heavy smoke about the
island, and the earthquakes have not entirely
ceased. The inhabitants are by no means
certain that the volcanic action has entirely
ceased, and fear that other lava eruptions
the smoke can not be accounted for by the
volcanic activity thus far observed On Mauna
Loa. This smoke has been met nearly 500
miles 10 the westward and thousand miles
to the eastward by the d. c. Murray, directly
in the teeth of the trade winds, if it indeed
all arises from Mauna Loa. Some believe
that we shall hear of submarine action far TO
the eastward, and perhaps a new island, but
We will not venture an opinion on smoke
The mud eruption at Keiwa is quite as
great curiosity as the lava stream at Ka-
huku. We hope to have accurate observa-
tons upon it, hereafter, to give our readers.
We know that il was thrown out with great
violence, and accomplished the distance of
three miles in an incredibly short space of
time-instantly, We may say. Goats, fleeing
for their lives, were caught at its further
limit by the hind legs, and held fast, while
their fore legs were left free. We now hear
that it must have been shot out of the mount
ain like a cannon ball, or water under press
ure from hdse; that it passed over a con-
siderable space of ground, leaving that much
uninjured and uncovered II would not be
strange if such were the fact, for the sudden
ness and violence of the eruptions (both OF
the earth at Keiwa and the lava at Kahuku),
Indicate enormous pressure within the mount
ain. The floor of the crater of Kilauea has
srtpl- faaf nj
There are a number of tourists upon Hawaii
at present, and many facts will be CLEANED of |
this interesting eruption. We shall have next |
week an account of the living lava steam, as |
and give our readers the following further
account OF the phenomena at kona.
KoNA, Hawaii, l4th April, 1868.
DEAR SIR: In continuing my report of the
extraordinary volcanic phenomena taking
place in this Island ! feel that is now the less
valuable, inasmuch as there are those here
whose express object is, 10 gain every iota of |
information for tine benefit of the world in
general However, / will as usual send you
my observation of the last week. In the
first place, may state that the Earthquake
Period may be said Gas far as we know, to be
at an end. II is true that we have continual
reminder that there are such things as earth
quake shocks in the world but in comparison
with what we have experienced these are
nothing. Our greatest anxiety has arisen
from the immense volume of smoke which
has hung like pail over the earth for several
days, for it not only hiudercd our sight of
where the activeness of the volcano showed
itself, but also threatened to destroy all vege-
tation, and endanger human life This smoke
first discovered itself on Wednesday the 9Th,
and it increased in density until the sun itself
was totally obscured. The appearance of
things was so alarming that on the 9th 1
deemed it prudent to make preparations for
a hasty departure in case of any sudden APP
pearance of lava flowing towards this place.
On Sunday, the 18th, there was a decided
change for the better, and this, together with
the report that a new crater was formed near
Waiohinu, and was in active operation, re-
assured the remaining inhabitants of Kona,
many of whom however bad, and | think
wisely and prudently, Withdrawn from the
immediate vicinity of the disturbance The
reports received day by day are sufficiently
to make people doubt respect
ing the accuracy of any one of them Some
times we hear five craters are opened, some
times -four; now they are in this direction,
then in that. Mr.. Whitney has witnessed
the operation of the new crater at Kahuku,
which is in close proximity to Capt Browns
house, the inmates of which escaped almost
and his account of the same is
sufficiently alarming. One thing is very re-
no Indication of the eruption is
visible from my house, although hut matter
Of 30 miles at the outside is between us. At ,
first, this was no surprise, for the smoke was
so very dense; it has now cleared away and ,
still there is no indication of fire. ,
1t is reported that the old crater of Maka- |
weoWeo has commenced operations again.
have watched for some sign of this, but .
have not been able to discover any. I pur- ,
pose making journey to the vicinity of the !
SO that may use my own senses.
md not have to rely upon others
My list of earthquakes for the past week is
and am not at all sorry, as you may I'M
lgine), small. 1t is as follows:
Wednesday, Sh 1pIril-5:30 A NJ, moderate;
'.25 A. NJ, light, accompanied with rushing A.,
ound; 1872 NJ, long and distinct motion;
';4l P NJ, same as last; 9?03 P. M, distinct
movement of the earth.
Thursday CHA few slight fluctuations, !
)ut no distinct shock.
Friday 10M--6:02 A. NJ, heavy-shock; $40 T
/. NJ, light. I
Saturday llh.-5:4OA- NJ, moderately smart t
hook. a
Sunday 12h.-6:57 A. NJ, two successive
hakes 9:55 P. NJ, moderate shock. t
Monday 13th.-9:53 p. NJ, a distinct rumble l
n the earth.
Tuesday 14h.-6:44 A NJ, moderate; 5:I4
; NJ, moderate. q
APRIL 2lsT We have had short respite
rom the dense smoke, but yesterday fresh u
moke made Its appearance, and il is now
cry unpleasant. l have made a journey to 7
he scene of the late eruption, but everything
vas quiet; the lava flow had ceased, and the 9
raieT was quiescent. This was last Friday
nd Saturday 9th and 18th. The surface
f the lava had sufficiently cooled to allow
myself and horse to 20 over the new flow,
which We did. Where the new flow has
rossed the road, l do not consider it to be Il
lOre than 200 feet; and perhaps 500 feet in