Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1902-05-10
THE VOLCANIC oUrBURsr.

It ia now estimated that 10000 per-
sons persisted as result OF the volcanic
eruption in the island OF Martinique
French West Indies. Besides the entire
population of the city Of ST. Pierre, % e
900 in number, it is thought that Is, 900
| DersoDs residing 10 neigh boring parish
es met a similar fate. Ii ia believed
that United States Consul Prentls ana
his family lest t1eir lives. -Four Amerl-
can vessels we're burned 10 the hsrDor.
Fear lie expressed that the other isl
ards OF the French group aud the Brit.
ish islands of Dominica aud st. Pierre
have suffered great damage from the
earthquake which accompanied the
eruption in Martinique. The Souffriere
10 the island OF TT. Vincent, is 10 active
eruption, and earthquake shocks are
frequent. Volcanic ashes have fallen
to . depth Of an inch jG Barbados, a
hundred miles from Martinique.
Later sdvices fully confirm the re-
ports printed yesterday as to the extent
OF TIE disaster. Cable communication
with all points In the islands is inter-
rupted, and the details 30 far known are
linn ted TO what could be ascertoined by
French wsrsbip and other vessels
which attempted to land at st. Pierre
TO ascertain t1e fate Of lts inhaoitaDts
aud succor the survivors, II there
we're any. Piles OF dead are encoun-
tered. but not living person was Seen.
the principal outburst OF Mount
Pelee lasted three minutes. a great
mass OF fire fell on the city, destroying
1t, together with the shipping 10 the
hsrbor. Not a single house was left
standing.
The French cruiser Suchet rescued
thirty persons from the burning vessels |
In the bay. II Ia impossible ID reach !
the city, az 1t Is covered with dust and |
hot ashes.
A oispatc1 to the London "Daily |
Mai" from Kingston, jamaica, ststsa |
that after a short period of activity,
which gave no special ground for sus-
pioiou OF disaster, Mount Pelee, the
volcano in Martinique, suddenly belch-
ed forth boroing lava and ashes on the
morning of May s. The steamer Rod
OF st. Pierre that escaped, she streaming
out at full speed aud running The CAN'T
let OF . shower OF lava, which killed
seventeen OF her crew.
It Is stated that St. Pierre Is another
Pompssi. bsisg covered with ashes And
dust.
A dlsvstah from Point-s.Pltxe says
hat tss most vlelsnt sruEtIss Of HeuaI
Pelee lsstsd thrss minutes, ooHplsssly
destroying -. Pierre and the districts
Tithia a fonr-nile radius. The crsissr
5uchst saved eight OF the ROraima's
rev.
1t Is learned that there Wers probably
about thousand whites 10 st. Pierre,
including halt dozen Englishmen. l.
8 also learned that the steamer Rod
lam arrived OF st. Louis with her
iDchors gone, she hauinE only escaped
~ cutting her cables and STAINING
way from S. Pierre at foil speed.
So narrow was her escEpe that her
arpaulins and running gear We're
,urned. Her captain was severely
'urned. Her Chief engineer is dead.
TIE volcanic eruption was one OF the
nost tremendous upheavsls of nature
'ver recorded 10 history. The loss OF
lie is comparable 10 that 10 the erup. !
ion of Mount Krskstos, In the Strait /
II Sunds, between Java and sumstrs,
rom May to August, 1888, when 49, &
$50 persons persisted. and ID the Lisbon
earthquake of November l, 1855. 10
which 10000 were killed. II far over.
hadows the loss OF life 10 the destruc-
ion OF Pompeii and Herculsueum.
AUGUST "a, a. d, 70. 10 which between
600 end 5000 lives we're lost. Suryi. c
1iors OF ship describe the scene as be-
pg like glimpses Of the Inferno.