The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1896-12-27
AMBnYM,s MIGHTY rHnoEs.

QTdpntcut S0otetp DIV COmnundcr H.. N. furcp Gust, u.
N, and prfnted In the Biographical Journal
Ambrym Island is ono of the Nov Hebrides
group situated in the southwest Pacific. Tho
Now Hebridos are all more or less OF volcanic
formation, or exhibit signs Of volcanic uphcav-
al In the numerous elevated masses of coral
limestone raised in distinct terraces, marking
successive upheavals to a height of over 1000
feet. Ambrym is an'entircly volcanic island.
The centre of 1t is occupied by an extensive
plain of ashes elevated some 1000 feet above
tho sea level, and from five to six miles In d-
amoter, with an enclrcling unbrokon rim OF
hills all round seldom mere than 100 to 200
foet above the level OF the plain, possibly tho
remains of an enormous crater, and the basal
wreck OF n mountain which must have been
some 10000 feet high. Near tho western end Of
this ath plain rise two of the highest SUBMITS
OF the -Marum, 1850 feet, and Benbow.
3,T20, both containing huge orators about a
mile IN diameter.
Like most volcanic islands. vegetation grows
very luXuriantly, particularly cocoanuts,
which can be seen here in more abundance
than In probably any other island Of the group.
Numerous hot springs are found along the
shore. especially on the north side, tho tenn
perature of the water ranging from 1919 to no..
II. NJ. S. Dart had been employed surveying
the north coast of Ambrym. and Mt O r. NJ.
on Oct. 10 the survey was completed, and the
ship anchored for the night ut Dip Point. Dur
ing the night a slight glare was seen over the
centre OF the island, but thought to be only a
ting nnder way at 8 O'clock %9 and Ton n" n Hifsr
the point to the eastward, n vast cerebreform
mass OF cloud was seen risiEs to q great height
y visible behind thu, low coast hills rising in
dense columns, and II was evident that an
eruption Of the island had commenced.
Soon y was APPARENT that n lava stream
traced by the dense black smoke from the burn
like = great fiery serpent. Occasionally n puff of
white steam would show where water had been
met with, and. IT being evident whereabouts it
would finally reach the sea. the Dart was steamed
up TO the vicinity and stopped some 200 Yards
on shore to await events. IS the head OF the
stream got nearer. bursts OF flame could occa-
sionally be seen. and the noise was most in
describable and awe-inspirinR.
Presently the head of the stream appeared
a red-hot, rapidly moving mass of molten lava.
some thirty yards wide. with Jumps Of clink-
moment It entered the sea, and then a most won.
derful sight was seem. such as none OF US who
,hon saw T. will probably ever see again as
idly rose straight up to a height afterward
measured by sextant and found to be 1900 feet.
the water, but a few seconds later enormous
bubbles of water commenced to rise some 100
irarine mines. and then burst violently out
ward In rndiating tongues of water and black
masses OF presumably lava Considerable waves
began to set up; and steam to rise from the
water In the vicinity, and as both the violence
and area Of the explosions appeared to be rap
IDLY. increasing ana spreading outward. the
Dart. which had a steamboat owing astern. |
was moved to n safer distance.
Fine dust and debris Of burning bush now
began falling. Canoes full Of natives were
leaving the shore in all directions; many ma
seeking a ,lace s Of Safety ettgI::I one T woman Was Ss s%em
carving another on her back. The steamboat
picked up several canoes and towed them clear
of dunCpr toward Din Point Mnnv NJ tho Nm |
ttves wanted to abandon their canoes and come
on board. but as wished to proceed at once
view, from to windward of what was happen
Ing. I persuaded them at length to go ashore
IN the ins e %,ssi0s s'St,G samm nr%in'', as they =" r rsidi
From tho weather side, /. e., tie south side,
bry,m was enveloped in smoke. a dense black
wall of it was rising from the vicinity OF Fo-luk.
one summit looking as II all u" bush was
OF a very large tree that stood out against the
blackened sky. and smo&e and steam were
ward OF which all was black as night. Smoke
instantly overhung tho island and drifted up
ing at Vac island. fifty miles off. the day after
the outbreak. and in Santo. eighty miles dis
t the'i ,r nse q pense af Clouds hni OK . snSEsh o lS e STsf
were constantly yelling up frota the crater of
Benbow. attaining attitudes OF from $1,000
lying at Port Sandwich. some twenty-five
miles distant from the crater, we saw an un.
unNhilo GTtuJ lhN U uaTk-CblOTtu sllOht |
rising rapidly over Ambrym: in the course of
about ten minutes II had attained an altitude
Cloud Ii'C Of steam 'ssni issued EsS% from roma the SUNNI summit W Of It
and quickly faded away. the whole mass MS
snminF a modi n.f r,pIns;tr TGa form : :, and
coast OF MalekuIa. This. we found ont after
ward. was evidently caused 10y a fresh out
We paid constant visits to tho island. and
terest connected with the cru ation. | had
already before the, eruption. paid u visit to
was behind the range Of coast hills. and. after
n long climb up over 1000 feet through the
dense bush, was surprised. on descending 100
into the daylight onto a dry river bed OF hard
ash some goo yards wide; which led to a great
few ,scanty shrubs In places. five or six miles
In diameter. at an, elevation of about 5000
centre rising Nlarum and Benbow both. ms
we afterT TSr found out: containing huge
before The actual eruption commenced. and
gave rise to a story among the natives that
ground and make fire."
On Oct 90 . marty. CONSISTING of Lieuts.
swain. six men. and myself, landed about two
miles TO the westward OF Rannon. and. after
considerable difficulty. induced some ten or
ne Dry river bed: we met with the first signs
portions or clir. where the river made a SUD
den, fall of seventy feet. had fallen down. as
we'll as numerous sllps in. the nearly perpen-
dicn!hr banks. On arriving on the plain, a
bitterly cold shower OF rain dr"nchcd us to the
skin. and made the ground very greasy, and
OF Mnrum. 1t began to be much broken up by
deep rayines into ridges Of loose ash hills 100
often on hands and knees, the ash giving way
at every step. and then sliding down the other
side ut n great rate. frequently having to re-
trace our steps and make long detuurs TO find
leyeller walking.
Eventually n small summit was reached.
with n post fixed on tho top, evidently a land
mark of the natives. From here II good view
was obtained toward the crater. some two miles
away, the dense clouds of smoke rising from
1t forming n grand sight at this distance. All
around the loose ash hills had been simply
shaken TO pieces by the earthquakes, and the
scanty coarse vegetation growing on them
was nearly buried out OF sight; great cracks
traversed the ridges and they appeared almost
too unsafe 10 venture on. From what we
had already experienced, it seemed nearly
hopeless 20 expect TO cross, tho endless success
sion of ash hills that lay before us. The ma
tiNns now declared Ihere MAS no road. md re-