New-York tribune., 1902-05-16
CHANGES ON ST. VINCENT.
WHOLE ESTATES DISAPPEAR As THE
RESULT OF THE VOLCANIC ENERGY.


Kingston, Island of St Vincent. B. w. l.. May
12-Scientists who have come here from the
British island of Trinidad predict another vol
canic eruption on st. Vincent within a short
time.
The damage done to St. Vincent by the vol
canic eruptions is now known 10 be consider
ably greater than was at first estimated The
present uneasiness of the inhabitants of the
island Is increased by the continuous agitation
OF the volcanic craters. Friday morning, May ..
large stones and volcanic dust fell in the neigh
borhood of Georgetown for two hours. terrifying
the people there. A cloud Of hot vapor then
passed over that port. Two eruptiOns of less
magnitude than the first occurred on Saturday.
May 10, and from then until to-day fire and
smoke have been ascending at intervals from
the craters.
Owing TO the great heat it is still impossible TO
approach the Soufriere volcano from the lee
ward side.
Interesting discoveries have been made in
gard TO physical changes on St. Vincent result
\ ing from the eruptions. Several assures have
been observed on La Soufriere. The estate of
walibou has disappeared. and has been replaced
by inlet Of the sea. Richmond, an estate
formerly adjacent 10 Wabou. which was for
nnerly fiat. and upon which there were a num-
Der OF laborers' cottages. has been completely
burned. and out of the estate there now arises a
large ridge of ground. 1t is believed that the
Rabacci crater, in the windward district of the
island, has also erupted.
Volcanic dust fell here again yesterday. But.
fortunately. there have been also several heavy
rain showers, which have washed away the dust
from the grass and restored the verdure of the
fields. The condition of the atmosphere is also
apparently improving.
Owing to the destruction Of several estates.
the sugar and arTowroot industries of ST. Vim
cent are seriously injured. Destitution prevails
among the laboring classes. who without
homes, without clothes and hungry. Nearly
two thousand deaths on this island have been
reported. Bodies have been discovered in houses
in lifelike attitudes; these present a grewsome
spectacle. There are decOmposed bodies in many
houses. and in order TO guard against disease it
viii probably be necessary for the authorities
to burn these dwellings down. Owing to the
many difficulties in the way Of those who have
the matter in hand. hundreds of bodies have
rot yet been inferred.
AS wide areas of ground which formerly pro-
duced foodstuffs have been devastated. there
is to-day an abnormal demand for breadstuffs
and a consequent scarcity of food supplies. The
prices of food are advancing. The destruction
of the live stock Of the island has also caused
& rise in the price of meat
British warship has arrived here from
Trinidad. She brings provisions for the relief Of
the sufferers.
No person has yet been able to approach
within eight miles Of the new crater of the
soufrtere volcano But judging from what can
be seen from a considerable distance the old
lake at the summit OF the mountain has dis
appeared. The numerous assures in the noun
tain's side continue TO throw out vapor and the
subterranean murmurings and trembngs in
dcate continued unrest. During the afternoon
OF Monday dense volume of steam and smoke
rose from the volcano. and the whole island
was covered by a peculiar mist. The inhalation
OF noxious vapors here is increasing the spread
of sickness.
An ambulance corps from the island of Bar
bados has arrived here
Nearly every remaining negro hut in the
Carib country contains decayed bodies. and the
horrible stencil is driving people away. Mutt
lated bodies tied with ropes and dragged
to the trenches. where they buried. Some
times bodies are cremated.
The local government is feeding and shelter
ing about three thousand refugees.