The herald., 1896-06-28
SOCORRO ISLAND VOMITING FIRE
Recent Eruptions on tho Mexican Coast A
tributed to the Outbreak

IhUuteO 10 tuo OutDIeAk
The recent volcanic disturbances on
the western coast Of Mexico, the queer
change of climate in those regions and
the frequency Of tidal waves are per-
haps explained through receipt yester-
day at the United States photographic
office in this city of letter from Capt.
Q. w. Peterson of the schooner Tampa
that the principal island Of one of the
most remarkable groups of the Southern
ocean is in active eruption, fiipging
ashes miles out at sea. Its lava Is over
moving IN massive, molten streams and
the whole ocean near the spot is con-
vulsed. The Tampa is now at Tacoma,
but Captain Peterson, who is one of the
regular observers for the hydrographlc
service. preferred to send his informa :
ton by mail rather than by wire. Off
Guaymas, writes Peterson, the Danish
Dark George Schwalbe from Hamburg.
spoke him andt gave, him1 thei story of
the volcanic outbreak. The Schwalbe
reported passing Socorro on March goth
OF THIS year. The peak Of the island was
IN violent eruption as before stated the
outbreak being the first in the history of
the present generation though the island
mas always been regarded with suspic-
lon. The United States steamer Albatross
now IN port, made complete survey of
the group in its recent voyage, and COL
lected much data that had been over
looked by the government expedition
sent out some ten years ago to survey
the rocks, under command Of Captain
Colnett.
Socorro Is located in one of the group
known as the Revilla Gigelo islands. It
is or remarkable formation, being prac-
ticaily a mountain rising abruptly out
OF the sea to height of 37O7 feet. THE
group is 400 miles southeast of Cane ST.
Lucas and about the same distance from
Manzanllla, Mexico, one of the towns
that has been badly shaken by the re-
cent earthquakes. The sides of the noun
tain are clothed with a growth of cacti
30 thick that human beings have never
been able to descend it, though frequent
attempts have been made to do so. A
peculiar 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
nnd any water on this strange island.
They made a survey of it's coast and dis
covered cove at the south end of the
place with a beach covered with sharp,
broken stones, but small stretch of
sand In its center afforded a landing
spot. The bay is called Braithwaite.
cape Rule, at the southern extremity
or the island" reported the Albatross.
is an odd formation arising abruptly
out or the sea to height of $50 feet. An
other bay. called the Corvallis, is sit
uated on the southwest side and is full
OF pinnacle rocks. Clarion island is one
OF the queerest features of the group
It, too, Is covered with cacti. but there
must be fresh water somewhere in its
interior, for thousands of doves were
found near the beach of the anchorage
The shore line is remarkable. 1t rises
sheer of the waves to heights varying
from 80 to 800 feet. 1t is an impregnable
fortress that can be approached from
but one small opening, and We're 1t
tenantable, fortified and provisioned it
might easily defy the fleets of the world.
A short distance from the shore of this
! island is a shaft of varicolored stone
| called Monument rock, which towers 200
| feet above the ocean. 1t Is natural Gu
riosity, square at the base and pyramidal
in form at its top. 1t is composed OF al
| ternate layers Of red and white rock and
| can be seen miles at sea. There was not
| the slightest signs of volcanic distur-
| Dances when the survey ship was there,
and to all appearances there had not
| been for ages. In all probability So
| zorro and it's quaint freaks have been
destroyed San Francisco Bulletin,