Ellsworth American. [volume] (Ellsworth, Me.) 1855-current, 1902-05-14
LIKE POMPEII.
ST. PIERRE, MARTINIQUE, WIPED
OUT BY VOLCANO.
LOSS OF LIFE NAY BE FORTY THOU
sAND-oNLy THIRTY ESCAPED
FROM THE CITY.

The city OF 81. Pierre, the principal
town on the island OF Martinique, in the
French West Indies, was destroyed by an
eruption OF Mt. PeIee volcano last Thurs
day forenoon. The loss OF lives is va
riousiy estimated at from 5000 to 5000
people, later dispatches tending TO the
latter estimate.
Not since the destruction OF Pompeii
aud Hereuianeum In the first century Of
the Christian era, has there been so appall-
ing calamity from volcanic sources.
After q long period of inactivity the vol
cano OF Mt. Pelee. 4, 100 feet above the town
and inactive since 1851, turned its rain OF
fire and ashes into the city Of st. Pierre
wiping oct the city aud all but q handful
OF its 10 his bitants in few moments.
Mt. Pelee, q volcanic mountain, some
ten miles north of st. Pierre, the COM
mercisI capital OF Martinique, is the
mountain which made a faint show OF
eruption fifty years ago.
On May 8 last, 1t began to throw dense
clouds OF smoke. At midnis bit the same
day flames. accompanied with rumbling
noises, lighted the sky over an immense
area, causing widespread terror.
city quarter Of st. Pierre an inch thick
and made Mt. PeIee Invisible.
At noon May 8, . stream OF burning
lava rushed 400 feet down the mountain
side, following the dry bed OF a torrent,
and reaching the sea, five miles from the
mountain, In three minutes.
In its rush the fiery food swept from
Its path plantations, buildings, factories,
cattle and human beings over breadth OF
about half a mile.
At the rear OF the mouth of the riviere
Blanche stood the large Guerin sugar fac
tory, one OF the finest In the island. 1t is
now completely entombed in lava. The
tall chimney alone II visible. One hun
dred aud fifty persons are estimated to
have persisted there, including the owners
son.
As the lava rushed into the sea the
latter receded 800 feet all along the
west coast, returning with greater
strength. A big wave covered the whole
sea front at St. Pierre, bat did little
damage ashore or afioat.
Terrible detonations were heard hun
dreds OF miles northward, followed at
short irregular intervals and continued
at night. In the intense darkness the
electric light failed, but the town was
tit up by iurid flashes of flame from the
mountain. The terror stricken inbabi-
tants rushed for the hills In their night
clothes, screaming, shouting and waiting.
mad with terror.
1t was believed that the greatest danger
was over, but about O'Clock on the
morning of May s, 1t seemed as IL the
whole top OF the mountsin was blown of,
and a shower OF burning ashes and
lava poured down upon the city,
wiping 1t out OF existence in a few mo-
ments. OF Eighteen vessels In the harbor,
only one escaped, the British steamship
"Rnddsm", which slipped her anchors
and steamed to sea. Twelve of her crew
were burned to death.
The whole northeastern part of the is
land, whieh before the eruption was
covered with tropical verdure, Las been
laid waste, and is now covered with
streams OF lava and burning ashes.
The volcanic disturbances continue In
Martinique and neig boring islands, and
it is feared that later details of the catas-
trophe will but add to the horror. The
island OF St. Vincent Is now threatened
by Soufrere volcano, which Is in eruption
Late reports from ST. Vincent indicate
that deaths here in the vicinity of .00O.