The evening herald. [volume] (Shenandoah, Pa.) 1891-1966, 1894-12-14
A DELTGE ON LATA.
New Hebrides Islands Passing
Through a Baptism Of Fire,
THEIR EXISTENCE THREATENED.

The Loss of Life by the Disaster Estimated
at Sixty to Seventy-five Men, Women and
Chiidren-The Scene Described by an
Eye Witness.
VICTORIA, B. c.. Dec 1.-THE Austria
liam steamer Warimoo, which arrived yes
terday, brings startling news that major
ity of the islands of the New Hebrides
group are passing through a baptism of
fire, earthquakes and volcanic disturb
ances, threatening the very existence Of
several of the largest and best islands, in
cluding Ambrym, celebrated for the ex-
cellence of its coffee. On the latter an en-
tire village Of natives were recently car
ried into the sea, the loss of life being es-
timated at sixty to seventy-hve men, wo-
men and children, while in others of the
group fatalities are also reported. A layer
of volcanic ashes from two to six inches
deep covers the once fertile fields.
At Epi on Nov. 2 there was a severe
earthquake in the early morning, which
opened an entire volcanic crater on the
west side of Ambrym, and on the next day
the whole island trembled. Since then it
has opened in five or six different places.
Even the Island of Epi, which was much
less affected, had up to the 7th Of Novem-
ber felt sixty-three distinct shocks, and
for weeks had been covered by clouds of
ashes and smoke. Traders and planters
living on Ambrym Island have fled precip-
itately to Port Sandwich (Malicollo), the
nearest port, in many cases abandoning
| all their possessions.
On Nov. 10 an earthquake shock rocked
| a I'M lTsVn from paGt tn gingr the
| ground on which stood a small native viii
| lage to slump, with the houses of the in
| habitants into the sea- 1t is impossible
to accurately state the extent of the fatali-
| ties, but the lowest estimate Of the loss OF
life is fifty. Owing to the lateness Of the
| disasters details were not available when
| the Warimoo left the southern seas.
Commandor-in-chief Admiral Bowden
Smith has given the press the following
report made to him by the commander OF
| the Dart; "Whilo we were laying at DiI
| Point, Ambrym Island" he writes, Gar
| eruption on that island took place. II
| presently became evident that lave
stream, marked by a dense column o
smoke, was making its way through the
| hills to the sea. The ship was stopped
some 300 yards off shore, where it wa
seen the stream would emerge, and soo1
| afterwards tongues of flames were seeI
amongthe trees, and presently the heaC
of the stream appeared, red hot mass
with Jumps of Stag tossing about on tn,
surface.
| when it reached the water a mos
| magnificent scene ensued. A dense pilla
of steam rose rapidly in a perpendicula
direction to height of about $500 feet
A few seconds later violent submarine ex
plosions of steam took place, the wate
rising in huge bubbles, some a hundre,
feet high, and bursting in all directions il
radiating tongues of waters mixed wit
black masses, presumably of lava. A cor
siderable swell was sent out afterwards
and as the arch of explosions seemed to b
extending rapidly the ship was moved t
a safer distance.
Canoes of natives were leaving the Isl
and in all directions, some of which wer
taken in tow at Dip Point, where the
were cleared of immediate danger. Th
} ship then proceeded around to the sout
side of the island, and it was seen that tn
old crater of Mount Maryun, in the cente
of the island, was in violent eruption, an
that dense masses of smoke were risin
over all the western island.
"On returning, while round Dip Poin
a sudden Outburst, accompanied by col
tinuous violent explosions, took plac,
5 About two miles to the southwest of Mi
sion Station the cliffs were seen to be fal
ing inland and flames appeared over til
crest of the gap between the mission. M
tives were assembled in terrified grouI
) on the beach, and 1 accordingly sent boat
in, Offering to take off all that wished I
A come. The group was in "A state of terrC
and the noise Of the eruption was ind
scribable.
"rhe next morning we proceeded to Il
northeast point Of the island as far as Di
I Point, which was found to be in inky darl
}. ness, objects being scarcely visible over
S quarter of a mile We communicate
with the shore and found the natives +
assured, as the actual fires in the vicinit
g had ceased. We then returned to Po
, Sandwich"
=, Pennsylvania Finances.
, | HARRTgRTrRG Dec 14-AuditOr C1pner