The Portland daily press. [volume] (Portland, Me.) 1862-1921, 1884-01-10
The Alaska Volcanoes.
a More Detailed Account of the Erup-
lions in October.

From the San Francisco Bulletin, Dec 28.l
Through the kindness Of the Alaska Com
mercial Company, Prof. Davidson has re-
eeiseo a askan information of much inter-
ess, aud has verbally heard from Cap. C. T.
Sands full account of the volcanic aclivi,y
displayed in October, near the entrance to
Cooks Inlet, in Alaska
On the morning of the 9th Of October the
tiers and fishing parties of Graham or Eng
lish Harbor, on the east side of Cooks Inlet,
heard heavy report about S O'Clock In the
morning. The weather was beautifully
clear, the wind light from the southwest, the
time of the tide, dead low water. The oppo-
site Or western coast of Cooks Inlet was in
clear view az the distance, 60 miles and
more.
In the Bay of Kamischak lies the Island
OF Chernaboura, seven or eight miles in d.
ameter, and rising to high peak near the
northeastern part, that is called Mount Au-
gnstin. The rorth shores are high, rocky,
and bordered by numerous rocks and hidden
dangers. The south shore is low. The peak
is distant 40 miles nearly west from the set
element at the south point OF English Har-
Dor.
When the heavy rerert was heard vast vol
umes OF smoke were seen rolling out of the
summit OF Mount Angustin and moving to
the northeast under the influence of the
lower stratum of wind. Then they had grad
ually risen and were spreading over the Wis
Idle heaven and obscuring the sky overhead,
under the influence of a higher and proba-
Eipu
soon began to fall; some of it very fine, but
gritty, and some without any grit.
A. $40 great earthquake wave, estimat-
ed from 70 10 30 feet in height, came upon
the point where the settlement is, carving
away all the fshing-boats and deluging the
houses. The tide being fortunately low
saved the whole settlement from being swept
away. This was followed by two other
waves is to Is feet high, and during the day
several LARGE and irregular waves came into
Ilarbor. These earthquakes were felt at ST.
kodiah. The pnmice ashes fell TO the depth
OF four or i've inches in the vicinity of Eng
lish Harbor, and the day became so dark
that lamps had to be lighted. At night thu
flames can be seen issuing from the summit
OF Mount Augustin, and during the day vast
volumes of smoke roll from it. Ordinarily
IL is covered with snow, but at this time it is
completely bare.
When the schooner Kadiak, Capt. Cg'iie.
approached the island from English Harbor
on the 10Th of Novemb Der, It was found that
the mountain bad been split in two from
summit TO water by great rupture extend
Ing across 1t from FAST to west, and that the
Northern slope of the mountain had appar-
emily sunk away 10 the level of the old cliffs
Smoke was issuing from the peak at a short
distance to the south the great rupture
But another extraordinary discovery was
made in seeing new island about rs feet ell
ovation and one and half miles in extent
lying In the 0-fathom passage between the
island and the main shore 10 the west. This
passage is six TO eleven miles wide, and was
sailed through by Vancouver, who describes
the mainland and mountain. This new iset
has therefore arisen during this cataf.lysmic
action. This new island lies to the north
west of Chernabourn, and was distinctly
seen as the vessel lay 10 miles to the north
east of Augustin.
tion, two extinct volcanoes on the peninsu la
of Alaska, and abour west from the active
volcano Iliiamna-12, 900 feet elevation
have burst into activity, and during the dav
the volumes OF smoke are distinctly seen and
columns of fame az night.
This season party of seven or eight Aleu-
tes had settled on Chernabourn Island to
pursue otter hunting this winter. Two of
the wives refused TO stay on account of the
violent noises in the mountain, anu thew
carried to st. Paul on Kadiah Island. Since
the eruption none OF this party has bean
seen, nor any signs of their bidarkas. al
though rescuIng party of natives had gone
along the coast to learn of their whereabouts.
1t lie feared they are lost.
Professor Davidson has compiled .descrip-
tive details of this island for frarcmissinp