The Providence news. (Providence [R.I.]) 1891-1906, 1896-06-19
SOCORRO in ERUPTION.
An Island Volcano Belching Fire in the
Southern Pacific.

The recent volcano disturbances on the
western coast of Mexico, the queer
change of climate in those regions, and
the frequency of tidal waves are perhaps
explained through receipt yesterday at
the United States photographic office in
this city of letter from Captain o. w.
Peterson of the schooner Tampa, that the
principal island OF one OF the most re-
markable groups of the Southern ocean
is in active eruption, tiinging ashes miles
out to sea. Its lava IS overhowing i'll
massive, molten streams, and the whole
ocean near the spot is convulseo.
The Tampa is now at Tacoma, but Cap
tain Peterson, who Is one Of the regular
observers for the hydrographic service,
preferred TO send his Information by
mail rather than by wire. OF Gusymas,
writes Peterson, the Danish bark George
Schwalbe from Hamburg spoke him and
gave him the story of the outbreak.
The Schvalbe reported passing Socorro
on March 20 of this year. The peak OF
the island Yves In violent eruption, as be-
fore stated, the outbreak being the first
in the history of the present generation,
though the Island has always been re-
gardeH with suspicion. The United States
steamer Albatross, now in port, made a
complete survey OF the group IN ITS re-
cent voyage and collected much data
that had beer overlooked by the govern
ment expedition sent out some ten
years ago to survey the rocks under COM
mand of CAPTAIN Colnett.
Socorro Island is one of the group
known as the Revilla Glgelo Islands. 1t
is OF remarkable formation, being prac-
tically mountain rising abruptly
outNof the sea TO a height of 3,707 feet.
4 he group is 400 miles southeast of Cape
st. Lucas and about the same distance
from Manzanila, Mex, one of the towns
that has been badly shaken by recent
earthquakes. ho sides OF tie mountain
are clothed with growth OF cacti so
thick that human beings have never been
ablet to ascend il, though frequent at
tempts have been made TO do so. A pc
Guitar vine covers the ground, which
bears pear-shaped fruit that was par
taken OF by some of Colnett's men and
nearly caused their death. Fish, turtles
and crabs abound.
The Albatross' men were unable to find
any water on this strange island. Thsy
me- de a survey of its coast and discovered
a cove at the south end Of the place, with
beach covered with sharp broken
stones, but a small stretch OF saEd in It's
center afforded landing spot. The bay
II called Braithwaite.
"Cape Rule, at the southern extremity
OF the island" reported the Albatross,
''is an odd formation rising abruptly out
of the sea to height of $50 feet. Another
bay, called Corvallis, is situated on the
southwest side, and Is full OF pinnacle
rocks.
"Clarion Island Is one OF the queerest
features OF the group. 1t, too, 10 covered
with cacti, but there must be fresh water
somewh here IN Its interior. for thousands
OF doves were found near the beach OF the
anchorage. The shore line 10 remarkan ole.
IL rises sheer OF the waves TO heights
varying from 80 to GOO feet. II is an I'M
pregnablo fortress that can be approached
from but one small opening, and were IL
tenants bic, fortified, and provisioned il
might easily defy the fleets Of the world.
"a short distance from the shore OF
this island is n shaft OF veri.colored stone
called Monument Rock, which towers 1Ol
osity, square at the base and pyramidal
In form at Us top. 1t 10 composed OF