New-York tribune., 1902-05-22

cable shin Grappler which left this port Mon
day May 5. at 3 p. m. bound for Martinique via
Dominica That the element Of risk involved was
considerable NAV be inferred from the fact that
there had been a serious eruption Of lava from
Mont Pelee the highest volcano in the island
g. 450 feet This had already destroyed the Guerin
factory, with $50 lives and the lava, coming down
q valley toward the south. had approached within
two miles OF ST. Pierre With its customary
promptness the telegra ph company dispatched its
steamer repair the cables destroyed by the
seismic disturbances. never anticipating anything
serious the loss OF their vessel for on May 8
came the news from Martinique to St Thomas
that on the 4th, about IL a. m. thanks 20 a sea
breeze, the situation appeared better, but as the
breeze died away at sunset Il large quantity of
ashes again began to fall, and the mountain and
environs presented most dismal spectacle, caus-
ing much alarm to what the night would bring
forth. Nothing however, happened. and on the
9Th. though everything was not quite serene, the
aspect was decidedly encouraging; less excitement
prevailed. This state of affairs continuing, IL is
natural suppose that the inhabitants OF the i'll
fatcd city have been lulled into a false sense
Of security
This also must have been the case with the un-
fortunate and brave captain of the Grappler for
he and his gallant officers and crew put them
selves right in the jaws of death on the 9TH the
hut where the shore end Of the cable lay before
destruction being at the very foot of Mont Peee
not far from the spot where the Usine Guerin had
disappeared day two before 1t was here they
were engaged In their duties on the morning of
May s. Why they did not accept as a warning the
detonations of heavy guns being fired at sea-
which were heard in OF the islands OF the
West Indies. far St Thomas, which is
over three hundred miles away, is a mystery. That
a certain amount OF confidence must have been re-
stored in the town of st. Pierre is evident The
Governor had arrived from Fort de France a few
hours before. probably TO the amount OF dam
age that had been lonesome say TO attend a
meetns The people had resumed their usual
Nocatlons. From Seaward vessels making
the port as usual; the Roratma was discharging
cargo There the French sailing ship Tamayo
The steamship Roddam had arrived. and there
were Tour American sailing vessels Altogether
ABOUT eighteen vessels Were at anchor. 1t is evil
gent that on the morning OF the Sth, between or
a. m.-one report has it a. mall ianger was
apparently over
But II was the calm before the storm. for at some
ume between those hours Mont Pelee vorntted forth
a whirlwnd OF steam, boiling hot mud and fire. and
IN tne twinkling of an eye il swept down like an
4vaIahche upon the city and roadstead OF St.
Pierre So swiftly did this take place that the
thousands OF inhabitants who destroyed with
thelr homes: had no time to escape nowhere TO
turn n Tor refuge 1t is possible that their death
was was instantaneous and of the very few who did
set away some were so dreadfuly burned that
tney s alsd shortly afterward. High and low were
iinNoIESa n the general destruction The Governor
lost MS lfei the American and English consuls