The Helena independent., 1894-12-14
A BAPTISM OF FIRE.
The Islands Of the Now Hebides Group
Passing Through a Succession Of
Tenors.
A VILLAGE CARRIED INTO THE SEA,



steamer Warrimoo. which has arrived,
brings The startling news that a major
ny of the Islands of the New Hebrides
group were passing through baptism
of fire, earthquake and volcanic dis
turbauces. threatening The very exist
encc Of several ~ the largest and best
Islands, Including Ambrym. celebrated
for the excellence ~ Ia coffee. on the
latter an entire village ~ natives was
recently carried into the sca, the loss of
life being estimated at sixty 10 seventy
iiye men. women and children. while
In others of the group fatalities are
also reported. A aver Of ashes from
two to ak inches deep covers once fer
tile fields
AZ Epi, on Nov. ., there WIS a severe
earthquake In The early morning which
opened entirely the volcanic crater on
the west side ~ Amhrym, about four
teen miles distant and all the next day
the whole island trcmbled. Since then
II has opened IN six different places.
/ Even the island Of Epi. which was much
less affected, had, 10 Nov. Z. 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 to Port Sand
wich. the nearest port, In many cases
abandoning all their possessions. ON
Nov. 10 an earthquake shock rocked
Ambrym from east 10 west, causing the
land on which stood a small native VII
lage 10 slip with the humble homes OF
the Inhabitants into the sea. II is lm-
possible 10 accurately determine the ex-
tent OF fatalities. but the lowest esti-
mate OF loss OF life Is fifty.
Details were not available whom the
| Warrimoo left the southern seas, al
though natives from all the volcanic
Islands We're Rocking 10 centers Of civ
| lllzatoD for safety. The commander
ln-chiof Admiral Bowden Smith. has
| given 10 the press the following report,
/ made to him by the commander OF the
Dart: while We were lying at Dip
Point. Ambrym Island" he writes. IAN
eruption on that island took place. IL
presently became evident that a lava
stream, marked by dense column OF
smoke, was making it's way through
the hills of the sea. The ship was
stopped three hundred yards or shore
where II was seen the stream would
emerge, and soon afterwards tongues Of
hames were seen among the trees, and
presently the head of the stream ap-
peared. a red hot mass, with humps OF
Stag tossing about on the surface.
when II reached the water, a most
magnificent sight ensued. A dense pill
lat Of steam rose rapidly in perpendc-
ular direction To n height OF i.5OO feet
A few seconds later violent submarine
explosions OF steam took place. the
water rising in huge bubbles. 100 feet
hlgh, and then bursting In all directions
In radiating tongues of water mixed
with black masses of lava. A consld-
cradle swell was set outwards and as
the area OF explosions appeared To- be
extending rapidly the ship was moved
10 safer distance.
| Canoes full Of natives were 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 Il
was seen that the old crater Of Mount
! MarNun. IN the center Of the island. was
in violent eruption. and that dense
masses or smoke were rising over all
the western end OF the island,
"On returning. while rounding Din
Point, u sudden outburst, accompanied
by continuous violent explosions. took
place, About two miles In the suuth-
ward OF Mission station. ellis were seen
tu be falling inland aud flames appear
ed over the crest of the gap behind the
mission. The natives were assembled
In terrified groups on the beach and
accordingly sent boats In. Offering 20
take on all that wished. The group was
In state of terror. and the noise OF
eruption was indescribnblc. Dust and
debris from the burning brush fell con-
tlnuously. Throughout the next day
earthquake shocks were severe.
Next morning we proceeded 10 the
northeast point of the island. as far
AS Dip Point. which was found 10 be In
inky darkness. objects being scarcely
visible over a quarter OF mile. We
communicated with the shore and found
the natives rrassurcd. as actual fires
IN the vicinity had ceased At six y. m
we proceeded To Port Sandwich. not
clearing the shower Of dust until more
than half way across
Several shocks were experienced nn
the way and that night thlrty-onc
shocks were distinctly felt In seven
hours and forty minutes, on board thr
ship. one at 80 a, m. being particularly
severe. A greut portion ~ che clln al
Dip Point has fallen into the sen. and
al along shore tn the eastward con
tlnuuus clouds ~ dust are arising and
Budslidrs have occurred. Dust wa
now fnlling heavier than ever, bat uI
lighter color and inner description"