The Anaconda standard. [volume] (Anaconda, Mont.) 1889-1970, 1894-12-14
.RIYERSOF MOLTEN Lava
MOTHER EARTH IS TROUBLED
Ancient cratsrs Cast Forth Streams
OF Fire That Run Roaring Into
the Sea- Strange and Ter
rible Spectacies.


brines startling news that majority OF
the islands Of the New Hcbridcs s-cup
are passing through baptism Of arc,
earthquake and volcanic disturbances,
threatening the very existence OF several
Of tho largest and best islands, including
Ambrym, celebrated for the excellence Of
its coffee. On the latter an entire village
OF natives was recently carried into tho
SEQ. the loss OF life being estimated Mt
between GO and 20 mon. women and chill.
dren, while In othcrs OF tho group fatal.
ties are also reported. A layer Of ashes
from two to SIX feet decp covers the once
fertile fields.
At Epi. on Nov. 9 therc was . severe
earthquake in the carly morning which
opened entirely tho volcanic crater on the
west aldo Of Ambrym. about II miles dis.
tant, and all next day tho whole island
trembled. Since ,hcn II has opened in
six different places. Even the island Of
Epi, which was much less affected, had to
Nov. Z felt 63 distinct shocks and for
weeks had been covered BY clouds Of
ashes and smoke. Traders and planters
living on Ambrym island have ned to
Port Sandwich, tho nearest port. in many
cases abandoning oil their possessions.
On Nov. Is an earthquake shock rocked
Ambrym from east to west. causing tho
land on winch stood small native village
to slip, with tho humble homes Of It's in
haOitants, into the sea. Il 10 impossible
accurately to determine the extent OF tho
fatalities, but tho lowest estimate OF loss
Of life 10 80. "Details were not available
when the Warrimoo loft tho southern
seas, although the natives from all tho
volcanic islands were fiocking to the cen.
ters Of civilization for safety.
Commandsir.,n.Chic Admiral Bowdou
Smith has given to the press the following
report, made to him by tho commander OF
the Dart: "While wo wcro lying at Dip,
point, Ambrym island" he wri,es, ian
eruption on that island took place. Il
presently became evident that . lava
stream. marked by dense column Of
smoke, was making its way through tho
hills to the sea. Tho ship was stopped $40
yards on shore, where II was seen tho
stream would emerge, and soon after
ward tongues Of flamo were seen among
the trees and presently the head Of the
lseeeam appeared. rod hot mass. with
lumps Of alag tossing about on its sur.
face.
"When II reached the water Q most
magnificent sight ensucd. A dense pillar
Of steam rose rapidly In q perpendicular
direction to height Of A.600 feet. A few
seconds later violent submarine explo-
sion Of steam took place. the water rising
bursting In oil directions In radiating
tongues Of water mixed with black masses
Of lave. A considerable swell was set out.
wards. and ~ the area Of tho cxplo ions
appeared to be extending rapidly the ship
was moved 70 . safer distance. Canoes
full OF natives were leaving the island In
all directions, some OF which were taken
into tow at Dip Point. where they were
clear OF immediate danger. Tho ship
proceeded around to tho south side Of tho
island, when Il was seen that the old cra-
ter. Mount Maryun, Ia tho center Of the
island, was in violent eruption and that
dense masses Of smoke were rising over
the wcsterd end Of the island"
"On returning, while rounding Dip
Point, . sudden outburst, accompanied by
About two miles 10 tho southwark OF Mis-
sion station cliffs wero seen to be falling
inward and flames appeared over tho
crest Of tho gap behind the mission. The
natives wero assembled in terr. fed groups
on tho beach, aud I accordingly sent
boats In. offering to take on all who
wished. The group was in o state OF ter.
ror and tho noiso Of the eruption was In.
describable. Dust and the debris from
burning brush fell continuously. Through
out the neat day earthquake shocks were
severe.
1.-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
more than a quarter OF a mile. We com.
municated with shore and found tho ma
tives treasured. as the actual fires in tho
vicinity had ceased. At 6 o'clock p. m
we proceeded to Port Sandwich, not clear.
ing tho shower Of dust until more than
half way across. Several shocks were
experienced on the way and that night 81
shocks were distinctly felt In seven hours
and 40 minutes on board ship, one at 3:3
q. m. being particularly severe. A greai
port ion Of the cliff at Dip Point has fallen
into the sea O nd all along the shore to the
eastward continuous clouds Of dust arc
arising and landsliles have occurred. The
dust was now falling heavier than ever
but Of lighter color and finer description
/
FIERCE PRAirtS FIRES.