The Manchester journal. [volume] (Manchester, Vt.) 1861-current, 1883-09-13

Tho Java Calamity,
This Il year OF great calamites and the
record of disasters both great and small
has far exceeded that Of many years past.
The earthquake al Ischia was one Of the
most dreadful occurrences OF recent times,
but il has leen far eclipsed in tie destruc.
iion OF human life by the terrible volcanic
eruption on the Jayanese islands The
loss Of life has been estimated az high as
70. 900, but later reports put it at 10000.
THIS may be low estimate as the terrific
~ which suffered most from the disaster
was densely populated.
The island OF Java is situated in the
Malay archipelago. 1t is separated from
Sumatra by the straits Of Sunda. in which
the present disaster has made extensive
attentions The island OF Java is $50 miles
long by from 80 to 100 miles broad. The
population Of this and adjacent islands is
about 80, 000000 The south coast pre-
scented continuous front OF cliffs forming
the outer edge Of a chain OF mountains 65
miles in length, which, it is stated, has
now been submerged 10 the sea. Krakatoa'
the little island which was rent by the vol
canic eruption, is in the straits OF Sunda
near Java, aud was about seven miles lon.
and four miles broad The island Of Java
and other islands in the archipelago are o.
Volcanic formation, and in its chain OF
mountains are at least 40 volcanic peaks,
ranging from 1000 to IL, 900 feet in height.
The first disturbances occurred in the
island Of Krakatoa These were soon fol.
lowed by the eruption Of Is or 20 Of the
volcanoes on the island Of Java, which
stones, ashes and white mud The sea
was all the time in violent state OF agita-
tion, great waterspouts abounded and vast
tidal waves rushed upon the shores. The
island Of Serang was totally destroyed, and
many fishing villages and other hamlets
along the coast Of Java were nearly oblit-
Grated. The los quarters Of Batavia, the
principal port of Java. were swept by the
tidal wave; but this place was less exposed
to the showers Of hot stones and ashes than
other towns in the vicinity.
Java and the neiehboring islands have
long beeu subjected TO these terrible WISH
tations, bn. the present disaste. was prob
ably the most destructive that has been
recorded In January, 1899 was felt the
first OF series OF 20s shocks of earthquake
accom- panied by volcanic eruption, and
immense dpnrfe resulted. 10 1872 40
villages were destroyed by volcanic crap
tion aud 5000 lives we're lost. On this occa-
sion All area fifteen miles long by six wide
was swallowed up In 1908 was another
catastrophe Of wide extent, bnt no accurate
record OF the loss Of life was obtained. In
1916 occurred a terrible volcanic eruption
which was accompanied by fearful whirl-
winds. Particles OF volcanic dust we're
transported distance Of 800 miles. Dat
ol population Of 1900 IN one province
only twenty six persons survived. and the
shores were devastated by great tidal
waves.
OF the 10000, 600 people Of Java aud the
smaller islands adjacent about 10000 are
Europeans, 1856. 600 Chinese, $4,000 Arabs
aud other orientsls, and the remainder are
JavaDese and SuDlese who are Of the Ma.
lay race The island is the principal seal
OF the Dutch power in the east. aud posses.
SEES i soil Of wonderful fertility. The
principal productions are coffee. rice, sug-
ar aud spices. IL Is thought that the cot.
foe plantations which are mostly IL dis.
lance from the coast. have escaped serious
injury. Rice iorms The principal food Of
the natives. Tie coast II fringed with CO.
coanut trees There arr vast forests Of
the different species Of ths ag tree. remar-
kable for their great height and vigorous
growth The supposed deadly upas tree
Is found near the extinct volcanoes Tie
rnltisstion Of cot,on. tobacco. pepper and
tea has been carried on with much success.
There are about 80 miles Of railroad 10 |
operation 10 Java The population is al
most wholly agricultural, and according
10 many authorities The Jayanese are the
most enlightened 81 the native people Of
Tie scenery is grand and won
ieiully diversified The loS coasts are
o parts unhealthy, bat ia the moabtain
districts lhe climate il salubrions Among
he serious results OF the volcanic eruption
aust he couniei the destruction OF several
lighthouses aua the alterations in the
'nanDels anl reels 10 tie straits 81 5nnda.
shieh sill TOT time olssifucl commerce
I'D increase the dangers o. navigation !