New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1881-09-25
THE VOLCANO IN HAWAII.


frRoM AN OCCASIONAL CORRESPONDENT OF THE TRIBUNE
UILo. Hawaii, Aug. 1S.-Whcn / visited the
lava flow on July IS it was massed III grand
column with +, ont extending from the CONCEALED
flow of 1855 to the inland boundaries of Waiakea.
IT'S glare by night and smoke by day were sublime
as itmoved slowly seward. l found the lava about
two miles above the rec extinct craters which
overlook our town, and a stream of fire was strug-
cling down the rocky he'd of the gulf between Pun
ahawai and Kukuau. All the way down the hillside
its course was marked by putfs of white steam.
Swinging from the water-channel in which it made
slow but persistent progress. Occasionally the lava
leaped a precipice and plunged into a
deem pool of water. Then there was a
hand-to-hand fight between the gneous and aqueous
forces. The former disodged and dispersed
the latter; the steam rose heavenward. and massed
itself in battalions which precipitated themselves
again upon the fire. The heat and vapor of the con-
test were sitting. Men have been caught in these
conflicts while they were walking upon the hot
crust of the lava and have been in danger of suo-
cation from the steam,
Visitors to the flow were even then numerous :;
large parties visited il daily, and spent nights
there met troops of native boys and girls, young
men and women, watching the flow, pnngiug
poles at the risk of blstered hands and faces INTO
the viscd masses of lava they urged themselves
slowly forward, and withdrawing soft Jumps of the
adherng lava upon the ends of their sticks. These
they moulded quickly into various forms-urns
vases, cups, canes, tubes-and sold their handwork
at from twenty-five cents TO dollar apiece OF more
n strangers and visitors. An artist was here. and
has secured many good pictures taken from various
points of the flow. At that time this stream
in the water-channel was heading straight for Hlo
But in places it had overlooked its banks on both
SIDES and spread literally as far one-eighth or
one-quarter of mile. 1t was then apparent that
unless 1t should be reinforced by strong food from
behind this lava could not reach tIilo Bay
On August IL the lava stream was only half n
mile from tina upper street of our town. The fire
had ragged fearfully since my last visit TO the flow
from three to five miles inland, but it was moderate
at the lower end of the flow. Its movements were
marvellous and no could predict with certainty
what would be the end. A deep aud broad moat
was dug around the town prison, MAXIM an en-
bankment seven to eight feet high against the en-
closing board fence. The splendid sugar mill at the
eastern end of our town was threatened, and walls
were built across little ravnes and low swaes on
that side of the flow III the hope of preventing the
advancing fingers of the food from ex-
tending laterally and leading the heavy
column upon the MILL But any large body
of lava dehes all distractions and mocks the
impotence of man. Many said confidently that the
awful food must go into our bay, hut others were
hopeful, and did not pack an article for leaving.
nor seek place of refuge in case we should be
driven out of our homes
Such was the situation only a week ago but to-
day Hilo is juhilant. The volcanic flow is checked
The action began to abate on the 10th INST nine
months and five days after the outburst on Mauna
Loa. The lava stream has stopped flowing but at
a distance of "A mile only from the sea- and only
half mile from the upper end of the great fish
pond. Since the 18th the flow has been less active
nd has, do do,
the fifth time the 18th, and felt the radiant heat
In some places, but saw no liquid lava.
saw stone wall about five feet high, built
near the end of the stream in the hope of
turning it from ihe great Waiakea sugar mill about
three-fourths of a mile distant for which this arm
OF the flow was heading. This ofshoot of the
stream was not broad or heavy, but it was
backed by large column of fusion which no human
power could check OF turn aside. The small advance
stream came within from two to six feet of the stone
wall, and fell asleep under its shadow At one point
only the viscid mass about two feet deep struck
the wall. There it rested little, UNTIL being urged
forward by fresh supplies from behind it heaped
Itself up against the barrier, poured slowly over it
little and then stiffened and solidifed where it
now hangs. sheet of pendent drapery in stone
The impulse from the mountain source fifty miles
away had brought the stream accurately to this
artificial limit and no further.
Proceeding upward from the terminus of this
stream II spreads out wider and wider with lateral
arms and projections juttng out from its margins
until it spreads out into black. desoIate
petrfied sea, half mile wide or more, and
from ten to seventy-fve feet deep, according
to the contour of the ground beneath it, Only a
few days ago this lake of fire and sulphur was roar
ing, Kissing and seething in fearful manner and
sending up detonations which were heard afar Oft
Now all is quiescent No liquid fire is visible Only
red-hOt rocks can be seen by looking down pit
holes and assures in the hardened lava. Advancing
four miles up the stream, find it rent with deep
'reyasses, CONCEALED in swirling hummocks and
shattered ridges as if mad sea, in the height of
Inc storm, had been solidifed by some enchant-
nent. Here the flaming river rushed down the
steep descent at fearful speed SCATTERING and melt
ng the rocks in it's way, and sweeping every OBJ
truction before it like a cavalry battalion in a
charge. Just above this steep descent there was a
beautiful and fertile plot of land where some
'wenty years ago there nestled a quiet village
With school-house, rich patches of kaIo.
potatoes, bananas and fruit trees, among
cenery Of enchanting beauty. But the peo-
lie have passed away and of late years
My one house was left on this lovely spot It's oc-
upant was reputed to be an inveterate heather,
belonging TO the ancient caste of doctors or medi-
line men. When the burning food set the deep
orest ablaze behind the house of this man he
iosted his flag in front of the slowly coming fiery
column, and forbade it, in the name of the ancient
rods of Hawaii TO pass that flag. But onward came
he lava, regardless; while the heather doctor
rom time to time, was compelled to move his flag
learer and nearer TO his honse At last the great
lood rolled his dwelling and his garden, de-
troying everything utterly, driving MIN out with
his friends and leaving deep stratum of black lava
,yer all. In this curious occurrence is note
worthy. The lava stream surrounded one stalk of
green kalo growing on an islet of eighteen inches