Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1902-05-21
ANOTHER ALARM.

morning the heavens in the vicinity of
Fort de France were as black as coal
aud the atmosphere was sitting.
There was a great cloud In the sky in
the direction of Mount Pelee, from
which inoesssnt flashes Of lightniog
we're discharged. Ashes and stones
rained heavily. The people we're wild
with fear, anticipating the fate OF the
residents of st. Pierre. They deserted
their houses and with frenzled cries
rushed into the streets, making their
way with all speed TO the water front
to get boats to take them anywhere
into the open sea to escape the impend-
ing danger. Many of them carried
household effects in their arms, while
others ran about wriDgiDg their hands
and crying. There were many vessels
10 the hsrbor, but they would not send
boats ashore. MIR. Ayme, the consul
to Guadeloupe, boarded the cruiser
Cincinnati. A launch from this war
ship was at the dock waiting TO take
Americans aboard. The officer In
charge OF the boat refused to take o
Porto Rican from San Juan in the
party of Americans. The officer wac
told who this man was, but he said his
being @ Porto Rican made no differ
ence. At 6 O'Clock the ashes and
stones were still falling.
The expedition which went to St.
Pierre Monday TO recover the remains
OF Mr.. Prentis, the American consul,
and bis family, and the British consul
and bis family was, it is believed, only
saved from death by the fact that q
strong south wiDG Was blowing which
carried the n0Xious vapors, smoke and
ashes from Mount Pelee to the north.
ward, away from the vessels conveying
tho Expedition. The volcano broke
Jut with renewed fury after party
from the American navy tug Potomac
bad landed to obtain the bodies Of the
Prentis family, which we're found in the
ruins of the consulate. Ensign Miller
of the cruiser Cincinnati, and Lieuten.
ant Mccormick, commanding the Po-
tomac, we're among those who landed.
The latter remarked upon the threat
ening appearance OF the volcano end
between IL 80 aud II O'Clock Mount
Pelee b. gan to throw off stream, smoke
and ashes, while lightning played in the
murky clouds aboveit.
The laborers in the party rushed
down the hill, leaving behind the body
of Mr. Prentis, which had been placed
| 10 cssket, but the American sailors
bravely lifted the remains and carried
| them to the beach. Meanwhile
the British cruiser Indefatigable,
which had come from Fort de
France, had run out five miles to sea.
| The Potomac kept blowing her whistle
as danger signal to hurry the landing
party to the bsscb. The situation was
momentarily becoming more dangerous
and orders we're given to leave the cas-
ket on the beach, while tle party hur-
riedly took to their boats and made for
| the Potomac.
The American cruiser Cincinnati was
| in the roadstead, and her commander
ordered the Potomac to cruise along the
shore and look for refugees, which
was done. Dense masses OF black smoke
we're towering for several miles above
the volcano, while streams Of lava were
pouring into the sea, causing steam to
rise 10 great volumes until the atmos'
phere looked as though heavy fog
was prevailing.
The Outbreak lasted for some time,
but gradually absted 10 violence. Then
the Potomac returned and secured the
remains OF Mr.. PrentiS, which were
transferred to the Cincinnati and
brought to Fort de France. It is not
known whether the Indeistiesble re-
turned to st. Pierre to secure the re-
mains of the British consul.