The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1872-05-17
The Eruption of Mount vesuvius.


The late mails from abroad bring us letters
from the HERALD's correspondent in Naples,
in which graphic details are given of the recent
eruption of Mount yesuvius The kilograms
at the time the volcano began to vomit forth
its destructive missiles, meagre as they
were, told tale of horror which the mail adj
vices fully confirm As early as the 23d of
April, five days previous to the date OF the
letters published on another page, the instru-
ments of Professor Palmieri at the Observa-
tory situated on the mount, gave the Fremont
tory signs which beto1ened increased activity
of the volcano, and shortly afterwards it
commenced to give forth those peculiar
bellowings which always precede an erup-
ton. These signals served rather to excite
the curiosity Of sightseers than to warn
the unfortunate inhabitants who reside in the
neighborhood of the treacherous mount Of the
approaching danger. Accordingly parties
were formed in Naples to make the ascent and
approach the mouth of the crater. With glee-
full hearts and reckless steps one party, on
nearing the summit were surprised in their
march by the opening Of new crater almost be-
meath their feet. Fires Immediately burst forth
and were succeeded by streams of burning
lava. In CONSERVATION and fright the too
adventuresome sightseers attempted to retrace
their steps; but before they could escape
the fiery flood was upon them. Many
escaped back to Naples others were terribly
burned, while number, who but few
mi, hofa al o,,l
overtaken in their race for life and met with a
terrible death. Not satisfied as it were, with
this human holocaust, the fires within con-
tinued to rage with increased fury. The
inhabita hts Of Naples now for the first time
realized the terrible wrath Of the Volcano
the city and seemed to transform day into
night; fires belched forth from new openings
In the mountain streams Of burning lava
coursed down the Sides carrying death and
destruction into many household, and trans
forming fruitful fields and gardens into
charred and unsightly wastes. According to
the mail accounts between one hundred and
fifty and two hundred lives were lost Our cor
respondent informs us that the roads leading
to Naples were thronged with fugitives, fleeing
from homes which were either DESTROYED or
were threatened with destruction. Villages in
flames, fields swept by rivers of fire, houses re-
duced to ashes crowds Of panic-stricken people
hocking to the coast, met the eye on all Sides
The scenes related of this calamity are terrible
in the extreme Nothing in late days can
compare with them. The railroads were
pressed into the service Of the people and
gratuitously helped to aid them in their fight
from the pursuing fire; vessels belonging
to the Italian government released from their
position the trembling inhabitants who fed to
the sea coast for safety; the municipality Of
Naples organized bands to succor the afflicted,
who from all quarters poured into the city, and
temporary residences were hastily erected for
the shelter of the unfortunates who lost their
all Crowded hospitals, tbronged streets,
panic-stricken people, and sad professions
characterized Naples, while the angry fire.
consuming mount close by still continued to
send forth its rivers Of fire. and terrified with
its believing the wretched people, made still
more miserable by the destruction it had &C
complished.