Idaho County free press. [volume] (Grangeville, Idaho Territory) 1886-current, 1894-12-21
ISLANDS IN RUINS
Earthquakes and Volcanoes Do
ing Serious Damage.
A DARK RAIN OF LAVA DUST
An Entire village of Natives Carried
Out Into the Sea by Huge
Landslide.

Victoria, B. c.. Dec. 13.-The Austral-
ian steamer Warrimo, which has just
arrived. brings the startling news that
the majority of the islands of the New
Hebrides group are passing through
a baptism of fire, earthquake and vol
canic disturbances threatening the very
existence of several of the largest and
best islands, including Ambrym, cele-
brated for the excellence of its coffee
On the latter an entire village of ma
tives was recently carried into the sea-
the loss of life being estimated at 60
to Is men, women and children, while in
others of the group, fatalities are also
reported. A layer of ashes from two to
six inches deep covers the once fertile
fields.
At Epi, on November 2 there was
severe earthquake in the early morning,
which opened an entirely new volcanic
crater on the west side of Ambrym
about IA miles distant, and all next
day. the whole island trembled. Since
then it has opened in six different
places.
Even the island of Epi, which was
less affected, had up to November Z felt
SO distinct shocks and for weeks had
been covered by clouds of ashes and
smoke. Traders and planters living
on Ambrym island have fled to Port
Sandwich the nearest port, in many
cases abandoning all their possessions.
On the 18th of November an earth
quake shock rocked Ambrym from east
to west, causing the village on the west
side to slip with it's inhabitants into
the sea. 1t is impossible to accurately
determine the extent of the fatalities,
but the lowest estimate of the loss of
life is So Details were not available
when the Warrimoo left the southern
seas, although the natives from all the
volcanic islands were fiocking to the
centers of civilization for safety.
ADMIRAL SMITHS STORY.
Commander-in-chief Admiral Bowden
Smith has given to the press the fol-
lowing report made to him by the COM
mander of the Dart:
while we were lying at Dip Point,
Ambrym island" he writes, IAN erup-
ton on that island took place. 1t pres
emily became evident that lava
stream, marked by a dense column of
smoke. was making it's way through
the hills to the sea. The ship was
stopped 300 yards off shore, where it
was seen that the stream would emerge
and soon after 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 most magnificent sight en-
sued. A dense pillar of steam rose rap
idly in a perpendicular direction to a
height of 400 feet. A few seconds later
violent submarine explosion took
place, the water rising In huge bubbles
100 feet high and then bursting in all
directions in radiating tongues of water,
mixed with black masses of lava. A
considerable swell was sent outwards
and as the area of the explosion APP
peared to be extending rapidly the ship
was moved to a safer distance.
Canoes full of natives We're leaving
the island in all directions, some of
which were taken in tow at Dip Point,
where they We're 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 Maryun, in the center of the
island, was in violent eruption and that
dense masses of smoke We're rising over
all the western end of the island. on
returning, while rounding Dip point, a
sudden outburst, accompanied by con-
| tinous violent explosions, took place.
CLIFFS FELL INLAND.
About two miles to the southwark o.
| the mission station the cliffs We're seen
| to be falling inland and flames appeared
| over the crest of the gap behind the
mission. The natives We're assembled
| in terrific groups on the beach, and
accordingly sent boats in Offering to
| take off all that wished. The group was
| in state of terror and the noise of the
| eruption was indescribable. Dust and
| debris from the burning brush fell con-
| tinously. Throughout the next day the
| earthquake shocks were severe The
| next morning we proceeded to the
| northeast point of the island, as far as
+! Dip point, which was found to be in
| inky darkness, objects being scarcely
visible over quarter of mile. We
| communicated with the shore and found
| the natives treasured, as the actual fires
in the vicinity had ceased. At D. m.
we proceeded to Port Sandwich, not
| clearing the shower of dust until more
| than half way across. Several shocks
| were experienced on the way and that
| night 81 shocks We're distinctly felt in
seven hours and forty minutes on board
ship, one at 2:30 a. m. being particularly
| severe
"A great portion of the cliff at Dip
point has fallen into the sea and all
| along the shore to the eastward continu-
Gus clouds of dust are arising and land
slides have occurred. The dust was
now falling heavier than ever, but of
lighter color and finer description"