Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1902-06-20
HEPOTOMAC'S MISSION
REPORT OF THE COMMANDER
LIEUT.. MCCORMICK.
Distributing Relief to Sufferers From
Volcanic Eruptions-The Dis
aster of May 20.


port of Lieutenant B. B. Mccormick. COM
rnanding the Potomac, which was the first
American warship to arrive at Martinique,
recounting the events attending that cruise.
Lieutenant Mccormick tells how at Fort de
France he expressed the sympathy Of the
United States to the governor, and gave
Cepted. Half of the cargo was reserved for
him provisions. which were readily &C
St Vincent. Lieutenant Mccormick says
at this interview the acting governor as
sured him. in the presence OF Consul Ayme,
that supplies were required for $1,000 desti-
tute for ten days The Potomac next went
to ST. Vincent. and while the governor
SCENE i about to accept the stores he asked
which place stood in greater need. Marti-
nique ST. Vincent The lieutenant replied
that according to conditions presented to
him Martinique stood In greater need Then
be was thanked by the governor for the
thought of giving. if not the deed. and
asked that the stores be given to Marti-
nique.
The report next tells of the gallant recov-
cry Of the remains of United States Consul
Prentiss and of the Potomac's second tour
OF the Island of Martinique after the sec
ond eruption. The report says that on the
way back to San Juan, May p, while two
or three miles from Mount PeIee. the
became so hot that it would not condeuse
the steam of the engines.
First View of St. Pierre.
On approaching Martinique. Lieut.. Nc
C0rmick says. referring to May II. four
days after the eruption. the island was
wrapped in complete obscurity. 12:l5 pm.
TO leeward of Mount Peiee entered thick
volume of smoke and ashes, the particles
so light to hold in suspension in the air.
and blown along with the wind. The dust
fell on everything like snow. and was
thick as to make breathing and sight diff
cult 12:30 pm passed through the thick
est of the dust, leaving 1t behind like
bank of fog. With a small amount of this
pulverized material in the atmosphere 1t
so closely reSembled mist as to be mistaken
for it. With greater quantities the effect
became darker and darker until dense
black was produced l T. m. stood toward
village of La Precheur, within half mile.
Houses apparently intact. Several live cat
tie on the beach and hillside. l afterward
learned that the inha bitants had been taken
of just a few hours before this by the
French and other warships. Stood along
the coast to ST. Pierre; the former city was
difficult to distinguish two miles away, ex-
cept for burning buildings. Steamer R0-
raima burning at her anchorage. The pre-
vaiIing wind blew the dust clear of the
city. and good view was had stopped
about No yards from the Roraima and ex-
amined the shore. Inside of us the harbor
was filed with wreckage of all kinds. No
life Of any kind observed ashore"
The Second Eruption.
Regarding the second eruption the report
says:
May - between 3 and go am, a con-
tinuous heavy eruption was observed at
Mount Pelee from Fort de France, distant
fourteen miles. Smoke and ashes rose to a
height estimated five miles The rising
column was black, with lightning playing
through it-then gradually it spread out
until the sky was darkened. AS it rose high
in the air the sun below the horizon light
ed the upper edge OF the mass. This start
ed panic in the city, the people believing
they would be overwhelmed by a fiery
cloud \ shower of ashes coarse as gravel
took place. followed by a continuous shower
of fine volcanic dust. lasting half an hour
Excited cries and shouts ashore could be
heard. Small boats put of from shore
laden with panic-stricken people. BY
o clock the excitement had subsidized. the
appearance of the volcano wrapped in Sc
Curity~ giving no cause for special alarm:
100 am. proceeded to ST. Pierre to de-
trrmIne changes by recent eruption, which
= the most violent that has yet occurred:
- am. stopped off the former city. At
one and Oue-half miles from the city re-
mains could scarcely be distinguished. The
house walls seemed RACED of their upper
stories. as If beaten down. Hot mud run
ming in streams sent up clouds of steam
from thts sea. Immense bOuIders were ly-
Ing in the mud beds. The northern part of
the city was completely inundated with
mud over the tops of the houses"
Lieut.. Mccormick says III conclusion:
, The fine volcanic dust got into the bear
N IS Of the engines. and II will take about
two weeks to get machinery in good work
ing order