The Salt Lake herald. [volume] (Salt Lake City [Utah]) 1870-1909, 1894-12-14

nan steamer Wdrr1mO0, which has ar
rived, brings the startling news that
a majority of the islands of the New
Hebrides group are passing through a
baptism Of fire. earthquake and vol
Fcanic disturbances threatening the
very existence of several Of the larg-
est and best islands, including Arnbrym,
celebrated for the excellence of its
coffee. In the latter an entire village
of natives was recently carried into the
sea, the loss of life being estimated at
sixty to seventy-fve men, women and
children, while in others of the group
fatalities are also reported.
Fertile Fields DESTROYED,
A layer of ashes from two to six in
ches deep covers the once fertile fields.
AIT Epi ON Nov. 2 there was a severe
earthquake in the early morning,
which opened an entirely new volcanic
crater on the west side OF Ambryn,
about fourteen miles distant, and all
the next day the whole island trem-
bled. Since then it has opened in five
or six different places. Even the is
land of Epi, which was much less at
fected, had, to the 7th Of November,
felt sixty-three distinct shocks, and
for weeks had been covered by clouds
of ashes and smoke Traders and
planters living on Abrym island have
fled precipitately to Port Sandwich
CMalicollo), the nearest port. in many
cases abandoning all their possessions.
Slipped Into the Sen.
On the 18th of November an earth
quake shock rocked Ambrym from
east to west. causing the land, on
which stood small native village, to
slip, with the humble homes Of the in
habitants, into the sea. 1t is impos-
sible to accurately determine the ex-
tent of the fatalities, but the lowest es-
innate of the loss of life is fifty. Ow-
ing to the lateness of the disasters de-
tails were not available when the
Warrimoo left the southern seas, al
though natives from all the volcanic
islands were fiocking to the centers of
civilization for safety.
The special correspondent of the
Sydney Morning Herald, writing from
Epi early in November, said:
'Ambrym island is still in violent
eruption. The outbreak commenced on
the 18th of October at an old crater in
the center of the island. The center
of the island is a mass OF lava"
a Stream of Fire.
Commander-in-Chief Admiral Bow
den Smith has given to the press the
following report made to him by the
commander of the Dart:
While we We're lying at Dip Point,
Ambyrm island" he writes. "an erup-
ton on that island took place.
1T presently became evident that a
lava stream, marked by a dense column
of smoke. was making its way through
the hills to the sea. The ship was
stopped some three hundred yards off
shore, where it was seen that the stream
would emerge and soon afterwards
tongues of flames were seen among the
trees and presently the head Of the
stream appeared, red hot mass. with
Jumps of Stag tossing about on the
surface.
when it reached the water a most
magnificent sight ensued. A dense pill
lar of steam rose rapidly in a perpen-
dicular direction to a height, which was
afterwards found to Zoe $500 feet. A
few seconds, later, violent submarine
explosions of steam took place, the
water rising in huge bubbles, some 100
feet high, and then bursting in all
directions in r3diating tongues Of water
mixed with black masses, presumably
of lava. A considerable swell was set
outwards, and as the area Of explo-
sions appeared to be extending rapidly
the ship was moved to a. safer dis
lance.
Old Crater Revived.
Canoes full Of natives were leaving
the island in all directions, some OF
which were taken in tow TO Dip Point
where they were clear Of immediate
danger The ship then proceeded
around to the south side of the island
when it was seen that the Old crater OF
Mount MaTyun, in the centre Of the
island, was in violent eruption and that
dense masses of smoke were rising over
all the western end of the island.
"On returning, while rounding Dip
Point, a sudden outburst, accompanied
by continuous violent explosions, took
place. About two miles to the south
ward Of Mission station, the cliffs were
seen to be falling inland and flames
appeared over the crest of the gap be-
hind the mission.
The natives were assembled in ter
rif1ed groups on the beach and I &C.
cordingly sent boats in, offering tc
take off all that wished. The group
was in a state of terror and the noise
of the eruption was indescribable
Dust and debris from the burning
brush fell continuously. Throughout
the next day earthquake shocks were
severe.
The next morning we proceeded tt
the northeast point of the island as fal
as Dip Point which was found to BIZ
in inky darkness, objects being scarce
ly visible over quarter of a mile We
communicated with the shore ant
found the natives treasured, as the ac
tual fires in the vicinity mad ceased
AT 6 p. m. we proceeded to Port Sand
witch, not clearing the shower OF dus
Jill more than half way across.
Several shocks were experienced or
the way and that night 81 shocks were
distinctly felt in seven hours and A
minutes on board the ship, one at 2:3t
a. m. being particularly severe.
"a great portion Of the cliff at Dir
Point has fallen in the sea and al
along the shore to the eastward con
tinIous clouds Of dust are arising ant
landslides have occurred. Dust wa:
now falling heavier than ever, but OIL
lighter color and finer description
Everything on shore was covered
with the deposit, the landscape being
of one uniform dull slate color, and the
ship a gray mass. We landed ant
proceeded over the hill for about TIVE
miles, until the stream Of lava wa:
reached. Although cooled down, it wa.
still proceeding at some four or five
feet an hour in the direction of Ban
lag, on the south coast.
lowing however, IN t1,a thickness nj