Green-Mountain freeman. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1844-1884, 1883-09-05
The Java Earthquake.

thousand people, and miles of mountains
are reported to have sunk into the sea.
Volcanoes were in lively operation and
altogether the cOnvulsion was one Of the
greatest on record. Later news but
confirms and gives more in detail The
events described in a condensed statement
in the Springfield RepuJHcln of August
81 which we give herewith:
The japanese volcano eruptions OF
which we now have intelligence will rank
prominently among the most extensive
and terrible that have occurred. The
whole island of Java, which is Il Dutch
possession, is of volcanic formation.
There are but two harbors on tue whole
southern coast, nearly 700 miles, and
those on the northern would not be re-
garded as safe aDchorages in region where
the seas are high and the winds fierce.
The island is 600 miles long and all
along that length stretches a line OF vol
canic mountains. Among the numerous
peaks 10 or 80 are active volcanoes, from
which all the time evidences of their
nature is shown, and which have repeat
eddy in the history of Java, wrought great
harm and DESTROYED thousands Of lives.
These peaks range from 1000 10 over
| 900 feet in height, and the Gumong
renger, whose crater, four miles in diam
eter, is only second il extent to that OF
kilauea IN the Sand wlch Islands, is about
5000 feet high. The first disturbances, on
the 2jIh of August, were observed in the
| island of krakota, in the strait OF Sunda,
| which parates Java from Sumatra. and
| Is miles distant from the coast OF Java.
| But the rlmbllngs were felt even at
Batavia, the principal city, 10 miles away;
| and in II few hours showers OF rocks ana
red hot ashes iell at the tarthest eastern
parts of the island at Jok iokerta, Surabaya
oaya and Serang. Fifteen or twenty
| Of the volcanoes of the island were
| speedily in u state of eruption. The
| Gumong renger, Gumong Gunter, Mona
Mern and "a dozen others were in the
| hroes OF destruction, hurting nigh IN air
| tremendous volumes OF clnders and a5hes,
With enormous fragments OF stone and
blowers of sulphurOus white mud. lhe
ca was all the time in fierce turmoil.
| Water spouts abounded, there was some
lines seen Is or 20 at Il time. The
mountains cracked and smoked, and the
| villages were GIOven open, showers Oh
.tones. mud and lava bestowed the
Dluteaus: the forests on the northern nils
we're set a fire, and immense tidal waves
rushed up the shore, meeting The laVa
| iow and checking 1t on the mOuIldln
| ,ldes and on the sheltered hooks, ooLIler-
! ating fishing hamlels and rlch plantations
| The island of Serang was utterly de-
,troyed- sunken beneath the sea, and not
soul escaped 10 tell its story. Al Anger
he European and Amerlc n quarter was
| ured beneath rocks, mud and lava from
| he craters and then the waters rose anu
ngulfed the ruins. There were more
nam 2OOO lives lost there ami at Bantam
.ume 1900 more.
BATAVIA, the principal ely, was cover
| 81 with a LAYER OF thin white ashes,
which in its descent killed birds by its
leat. An extensive low-ly:ng quarter Of
| ne city, settled by the Chinese was conf
,.eteiy swept away b? the sea, and Il l.
| believed that not more than oue-itth Ot the
| ID 900 Chinese mad escaped. Iae stand
rom end to end Was shaken aud -hoWered
eud inundated, 50 Lhtt il is thought ID II
| ,ot one crop will b. rusc4el, ii ltt All
| ne coast me has teen 80 changed tll
| ,othing can be rerogu'zed IreU
noun.ain. mat OF krOsnt,tn, ms been
widowed beneath he SEA, ami every
tghlhouse on the Sundt srtlt (1etween
lava and Summary has Disappointed, 50
nat navigation IS most hazardous. Such
T., the result vi the m ~ Lrr'uth'tu>
rup ION OF volcanic eGel y known IN al
| me, so tar - apprir7 IN I nasty consul
.Liun OF records For the enure len2lh
the island, twO.lullds OF huusand