The Washington times., 1902-05-12
CONTINUED from First Pagc.)

captain
In relating his escape he says that the
| only way in which he managed to save
his life was by repeatedly diving He was
| an expert swimmer and was able to re.
main under water for a considerable
length of time. He returned again and
again to the surface. barely exposing his
face for mcment or two to the terrific
heat. and thus getting enough breath for
another long dive.
Warning Was Given.
Ever since the 2Sd of April last Mont
Pelee, which finally wrought all the
havoc. has been manifcsting disquieting
symptoms. great column of smoke
kept mounting from it, and there were
from time to time showers of ashes and
cinders falling. Finally, on the 5th Of
May, there was a terrific eruption, which
hurled into the air vast volumes Of mud
completely swallowing the Guerin sugar
factory, which stood near the River
Blanche.
The first that was known here at Fort
de France of the disaster was at o'clock
on the morning Of the sth day of May
AT that hour there suddenly spread over
Il
OF smoke, cinders, and ashes, which came
from the direction of st. Pierre.
Inc clouds swept over the city with
terrifying swiftness, turning bright day
light into the darkness of night with
hardly a moments warning. From this
CLOUD rain of rocks and ashes poured
upon the town and threw the entire pop
ulation into the widest panic. The sea
suddenly swept back in a great wave for a
distance of between fifty and sixty feet.
and vessels fastened TO the wharves were
set crashing against each other with
great force.
Two Tidal Waves.
Twice the great waves swept in and
out from the shore, and finally the water
settled down to the normal level Every
body now knew what had happencd.
Mont Pelee, which had been so long ON
inously threatening, had at last broken
out il an appalling eruption Throughout
the streets Of Fort de France and along
the water front people ran hither and
thither in wild panic. On all sides there
was but one cry-''The volcano. The vol ,
cano! 1t is Mont Pelee,''
AS quickly as possible in the confusion
the government authorities and mayor of
the city, realizing what need there was.
began to organize some system for carry, !
ing help to those known to be in dire |
distress.
Vessels Set Out.
The French cruiser Suchet. which hap
pened to be lying in the harbor. be- |
came instantly alive with activity. She |
was made ready for sea as quickly as Los
sible, and started away a. full speed up
along the coast in the direction of ST
Pierre and the great column of smoke and
fire.
There were several boats that had
arrived at Fort de France only that
morning. and they too. made instant
preparations to return. Troons aud pro-
visions were hurried aboard of them. ana
,hey started away in the wake OF the
Suchet. They had not been gone over
wo hours when they returned, bring
ng back the tidings that St Pierre was
Utterly destroyed, and that the entire
yea shore from the suburb of Carbet as
ar as the village of Precheur was on
ire, and that 1t was impossible to land at
my point on account OF the inteusa
leat.
An Appalling Sight.
AT one place burning red-hot ashes | ,
mud. and lava fell in such quantities
bout the vessels and along the shore I
hat the very sea water seemed to be 1T
,oiling heat. Along the shore the spec /.
acle was appalling. 1t looked as though
he whole OF the northern part of the ISL
md was one mass of flame.
The cruiser Suchet got back to Fort De
france some time after the other boats.
which had followed her in the effort 10 .
each the scene of the disaster. On board 6
he Suchet were thirty survivors, who /,
we're picked up in the St Pierre suburb
# Carbet. All of them we're frightfuIly Q
urned and wounded and nine of them
lied on board the cruiser before she ]
cached this port. {
Every preparation has been made in I
he hospital at Fort de France to take (
are of as many wounded as possible. The '
york of rendering aid has been put on an
rganized basis, provisions have been s
equisitioned, and the principal stores. !
anks, and even the bakeries have been
ut under military guard. {