The evening times., 1898-09-20
TORRENTS OF FIERY LAVA
Grand and Fierce Display Of
the Monarch of NOlcanOs.
RECALLS. P0MPEII'S RUIN
Danger of the observatory Placed
Near the Craiers TO Warn VII
layers Below of Threatening Dis
asst .r- 4 sublime Night Spectacle.
Groaninrs Ddcr the Earth.

New York. Sept. pa special dispatch
from Naples TO the World gives the fol-
lowing description of scenes attendant
upon the eruption OF Vesuvius:
Frightful misery and immense damage
will be caused if the eruption of Mount
Nesuvius continues on the alarming scale
it has reached in the last few days.
Nine new craters were counted today
around the central crater. but even this
extra vent does nothing toward checking
the flow of lava, although there is mark
ed cessation in the more violent belchings
of fire and smoke.
The meteorological observatory on the
part OF The volcano known as Mount Con-
taroni is seriously threatened by the sub
siding of the ground on which it is built.
One great lava stream now coming down
certainly will oVerwhelm il unless il is
diverted from its present course.
This observatory. situated 2.20O feet
above the sea level on the shoulder of a
hill which divides the lava streams de-
scendins from the crater into great
branches. was established many years ago
for the purpose of putting a scientific
warming to the surrounding country Of
impending dangerous eruptions Many
lives have been saved by notice from ii
TO the inhabitants in time TO flee.
1t was here that in the fearful outbreak
OF April, 1872 Director Palmeri bravely
faced almost certain death to take note
of the awful phenomena when fiery
streams threatened 10 engulf his station.
The lava torrent near the crater, which
has width of half a mile, is dividing
| into three principal streams, eacn seven
| ty to eighty yards wide. These, they
| pour down the mountain side, again sub
divide into numerous smaller streams.
They advance at the rate of forty yards
an hour. submerging everything in their
! path. soaring the vegetation in the vi
| cinity as though fire had passed over it.
An enormous quantity of lava keeps
| pouring out of the crater. IL has filled
| Netrana Valley. deep ravine, and ashes
lie several inches thick for a long dis
| tance down the sides of the mountain anJ
on the adjacent villages.
| The inhabitants of those villages were
seriously alarmed yesterday, but have
been somewhat reassured by the partia
| cessation Of the eruption today.
The slope OF the mountain is one of the
most thickiy populated districts in III,
|
and in the best parts four crops yeal
are garGened. But one great aid to thi
fertility. the numerous wells, are begin
ming Ia dry up, and the farmers are IL
despair.
Travellers from all parts OF Europe arr
flocking here TO see Vesuyius in erup
tion.
The spectacle at night is one of inde
scribable grandeur. The faint. palpitat
ing glow that normally marks the grea
crater is now exchanged for vivi
tongue of light colored al times almos
like a rainbow. Illuminating the heaven
and reflected with exquisite effect in tn
waters Of the bay.
These manifestations are accompanie
by deep rumblings and thunderous sub
tarranean explosions. followed by Srea
outpourings of lava and ashes.
The fresh lava streams moving dow
the mountain side. steadily encroachin
more and more on the cultivated regions
have already caused extensive loss.