The Minneapolis journal. [volume] (Minneapolis, Minn.) 1888-1939, 1902-05-21
A PANICKY DAY
Incidents at Fort-de-France During
the Eruption.

Incidents at Fort-de-France During
the Eruption.
Fort de-France, May 21.-At 7 o'clock
last night the ashes were falling lightly.
and the smoke clouds were not 30 heavy.
Under these conditions the people became
calmer and those on the warships Suchet.
Cincinnati and Indefatigable returned to
the shore.
At half past 10 O'Clock the Potomac went
to St. Pierre to make observations.
Streams Of lava were pouring into the
sea, and along the whole beach could be
heard the kissing caused by the molten
matter as it flowed into the water.
The eruption yesterday was worse than
that of May 8. OF the few buildings that
were left standing in st. Pierre nearly all
are now down, Ind great boulders ara
scattered about everywhere.
Deep clefts in the mountain peak have
disappeared. and the entire aspect Of the
country in highlands, and lowlands has
changed. The Potomac took on board Z
number Of people who had returned to
their homes in Garnet and Bellfontaine.
villages about five miles from st. Pierre.
They were hungry and frightened, and
they crowded dangerously into the small
boats that were sent to take them on.
Lieutenant Mccormick supplied them with
food A few returned to the shore when
the eruption subsidized. but about 100 were
brought to Fort-de-France. Lieutenant
Mccormick ordered that coffee and bis
cults be distributed among those who
decided to remain. The refugees say that
the lightning and thunder and the Show
er of ashes and stones were the most
terrible they had faced. They believe that
living in the villages in the vicinity of the
mountain will henceforth be impossible
and that they must be entirely deserted.
| Several persons were hurt to-day by
stones crashing through the roofs of their
houses. All the water has been polluted
by sulphur and volcanic gases.
A Mr.. Richard of Victoria Park Nam
| chester, England, who is here now. no.
ticed the eruption in the morning. He left
| all his possessions at his hotel and dashed
| into the sea. He is a good swimmer and
made his way to the Indefatigable where
he was taken on board.
| The Dutch warship Koningen Regente
| has discharged her $50 tons Of provisions
that were purchased by Hollanders in
Curacao for the benefit Of the sufferers.
Narrow Escape for the Americans.
The expedition which went to st. Pierre
/ yesterday to recover the remains Of Mr..
Prentis and the British consul was, 1t Is
believed, only saved from an appalling
disaster by the fact that strong south
wind was blowing, which carried the nox-
4 ious vapors, smoke and ashes from Mont
Pelee to the. northward away from tho
vessels conveying the expedition. The
volcano broke out with renewed fury af-
i ter party from the American navy tug
/ Potomac had landed to obtain the bodies
of the Prentis family, which were found
in the ruins Of the consulate.
Ensign Miller Of the American cruiser
4 Cincinnati and Lieutenant Mccormick.
commanding the Potomac, were among
4 those who landed. The latter remarked
zEupon the threatening appearance OF the
volcano, and between II 80 and 10 o'clock
4 1t began to throw off steam, smoke and
ashes, while lightning played in the murky
clouds above it.
Il The laborers in the party rushed down
the hill. leaving the body Of Mr.. Prentis,
4 which had been placed In casket, but
4 the American sailors bravely lifted the
slremains and carried them to the beach.