Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1902-05-12
IN THREE MINUTES
The Lava and Ashes Had Enveloped
the Doomed City.

Castries, St. Lucia. 3. w l.. May 10
From survivors Of the st. Pierre disaster
row here, the following facts are learned
On May last. Mont Pclec began 10
throw out dense clouds of smoke. At mid
night, the same day. flames accompanied
with rumbling noises lighted the sky
causing widespread terror.
Hot ashes covered the whole city quar-
ter Of st. Pierre an inch thick on Ma
J. and which made Mont Pelee invisible.
AT noon, May >. q stream of burning vol
canic matter flowed down the mountain
side and reached the sea, five mile.
away, in three minutes. In its rush the
/ fiery flood swept from its path piantd-
/ tons, buildings, factories, cattle and hui
man beings over breadth Of about hdl-
"a mile.
st the rear Of the mouth Of the Riviera
| Blanche stood the large Guerin sugar fac
tory. one of the finest in the island. 1t
is now completely entUmbed in the erupt-
cd mass. Inc tall chimney alone is visi-
bic. One hundred and fifty persons, i.
is estimated, persisted there. including
the owners SON.
water receded 300 feet all along the coast.
Returning with greater strength, big
wave covered the whole sea front Of ST.
fPierre, but doing little damage ashore or
afCat.
Terrible detonations, heard hundreds OF
mites northward followed at short inter
walls and continued at night The electric
lights failed, but the town was lighter
up by flashes of flame from the mountain.
Terror stricken inhabitants rushed for the
hills screaming AMI wailing.
The PlissonO family escaped to st. Lu-
cia in Il small steamer. Thirty-five per-
sens. mostly women and children, arrived
here in the forenoon Of MAY and fur
IiShCd the above details. The men re-
manned q Martinique.
on the afternoon Of the same day teIc-
graphic communication was interrupted
with both the ISLANDS of Martinique ana
ST. Vincent During the afternoon OF
g-flr a.
lad left St. Lucia late on the night OF
May Z for Martinique, came slowly into
the Castries liarbor, unacceptable, gray
with ashes. her rigging dlsmantlcd ami
sails and awnings hanging about, torn
ana charred
The captain reported that. having Just
cast anchor off ST Pierre at o'clock ia
the morning, in fine weather succeeding
ana awful thunder storm during this
night, he was talking to tho ships agent.
Joseph PliSSOno, wao was i'm a boat along
side. when he saw tremendous cloud or
smoke and flowing cindcrs rushing with
terrific rapidity over the town, complete
ly enveloping tho former i'm a sheet Of
fame. The agent had Just time to Clint
on board when his boat disappeared.
Several OF the crew of the RDddam were
quickly scorchcl to death. by great cC.
fort, having steam UP. the cable was sir
red and the steamer backed away FROM
the shore. ana nine hours later managed
to reach Castrics. Zen of the Roddam's
men were lying dead among the Cnders
NllcH Covered inc snip deck 10 q depIn
OF six inches. Two more Of The crew have
since died.
Survivors of the Roddams crew wcr1
loud in their praises or the conduct or
their-captain in steering his vessel out Oe
Gangcr, while his hands were badly burn-
ga by Tie rain of fire which Kept falling
on the ship for miles after she got under
way. Although badly burned the captain
II alive, as is also the. ships agent,
though he is also In serious condition.
Just as the QueGec Steamship Cos.
Roraima was sinking in the port of st.
Pierre Captain Muggah OF the ,dattcr.
waved his hand in farewell to the Rod
dam
The volcano Of lie island OF ST VIM
cent has burst outHin sympathetic cruz
t;cn. a steamer which returned from
there last night reports that tho north
crn third of the island was In flames and
gut off from assistance. F