New-York tribune., 1902-05-10
Ocean Traveller. while on her way to Dominica,
encountered a quantity of wreckage.
DESTROYED IN THREE MINUTES.

DESTROYED IN THREE MINUTES.
BRIEF TIME THE RAIN OF MOLTEN ROCK
AND ASHES LASTED.
London. May 1O.-A dispatch to The Daily
Mali from Pointe a Pitre. island of Gaude-
Ioupe. French West Indies. dated yesterday.
says:
The Mont Pelee CSt. Pierre crater elected
yesterday morning molten rocks and ashes dur
ing three minutes and completely destroyed st.
Pierre and the districts within a four mile
radius. All the nhabtants were burned.
About eight passengers from the Rorairna, OF
the Quebec Steamship Line, were saved by the
French cruiser Suchet
The inhabitants of the southern districts OF
the island, who were dependent on st. Pierre
for provisions. are menaced by famine.
A dispatch to THE Daily Mali from Jamaica
says:
The first intimation of a disaster lat Mar
tinque) was the breaking of the cables on
Tuesday. The French cable to Martinique from
Puerto Plata was broken Wednesday. Gable
communication with all the northern islands is
stopped.
The survivors of the British steamer Roddam
describe the scene at St. Pierre being
"glimpses of hell beggarng description The
hoddam's men were killed chiefly by molten
lava.
The Roraima was wrecked in terrible up
heaval of land and sea. The whole crew
perished.
Two ships were lost with all on board in an
attempt TO approach Martinique.
FRENCH WARSHIP RESCUES SURVIVORS.
ONLY THIRTY FOUND AT ST. PIERRE BY
THE sUCHET.
Paris, May 9-The commander of the French
cruiser Suchet ha. telegraphed to the Minister
OF Marine. NJ. de Lanessan. from Fort de France,
Island of Martinique. under date Of Thursday.
May S. at 10 p M, follows:
Have just returned from st. Pierre. which has
been completely destroyed by an immense mass
Of fire, which fell on the at about in the
morning. The entire npulation, about twenty
five thousand souls. supposed to have per-
ished l have brought back the few survivors,
about thirty All the shipping in the harbor
has been destroyed by fire. The eruption con-
tinues.
The commander of the Suchet has been or
dered TO return to st Pierre with all the speed
possible, and forward details of the disaster
10 the French Government. He cannot, how
ever. be heard from for twenty-four hours.
the Suchet has gone to the island of Gaudeloupe
In order 10 obtain provisions
II is feared that VI. L. Mouttet the Governor
Of Martinique, has perished. He teIegraphed
May that he proceeding to st. Pierre.
Senator knight is also supposed to have been at
St Pierre. Senator knight is the president Of
the General Council, local legislative body. OF
the island of Martinique
NJ. BouguenOt, sugar planter Of Martinique,
received a cable dispatch this morning from
Fort de France, sent by the manager of the
Francais factory, announcing that he had tried
to reach st. Pierre, but found the coast covered
with ashes and the town enveloped in dust and
could not land"
The Colonial Minister, NJ. Decrais received at
o'clock this evening, two cable messages from
the Secretary General Of the government OF Mar
Unique. J. E. G. PHuerre, sent. respectively. at
p. and 1870 p m. yesterday. The earlier
cable reported that the wires were broken be-
tween Fort de France and ST. Pierre. but, IL was
added, in view of reports that the eruption OF
Mcnt Pelee had wiped out the town OF 81. Pierre
all the boats available at Fort de France were
dispatched TO the assistance of the inhabitants
Of that place
The second dispatch confirmed the reports of
the destruction of St. Pierre and its envTons
and shipping by a rain of fire, and said IL was
supposed that the whole population had been
annihilated, with the exception Of a few in
jured persons rescued by the cruiser Suchet.
Immediately after the receipt Of the above dis
patches the flag the Colonial Office was
draped with Grape and hoisted at halfmast.