Atlanta semi-weekly journal. (Atlanta, Ga.) 1898-1920, 1902-05-22
STRUGGLED FOR LIFE
WHEN DEATH WAS NEAR

ST. THOMAS, D. w. l., May 16.-The
Danish cruiser Val Kyrien has returned
here from Martinique. The correspondent
here OF the Associated Press has had an
interview with one of the Valkyrien's of
ficers, who said:
1--WE left st. Thomas the afternoon OF
May 9. The next day, when 20 miles from
Martinique the falling volcanic ashes be-
came troublesome. We approached the is
land and discovered st. Pierre to be burn
ing We made signals to the shore, but no
REPLIES were received. We then lay of for
the night and witnessed a remarkable
spectacle of fire and lightning. Ashes fell,
and detonations were heard.
"In the morning we saw the French
cruiser Suchet, and went nearer the shore.
The ashes became dense, as we approach
ed, and many dead bodies were floating
on the sea. They were burnt and swollen
and floating I'm groups, in some cases OF
ten each. The dead hands were knitted
and the limbs were cramped. Nearly all
the bodies were those of white people.
AS we approached st. Pierre we saw the
town was covered with ashes. We then
Joined the cruiser Suchet and the cable
repair ship Pouyer-Quertier and together
went toward LePrecheur. The rain OF
ashes was heavy and shrouded the Suchet.
Soon the atmosphere cleared up and we
ran close to LePrecheur and then to-
Hameaudes Sabines. The boats from all
three ships were put overheard and the
rescue of the people from the shore COM.
menced at IL o'clock in the morning. We,
were all covered with gray ashes. Our
eyes were weeping and the heat was In
toierable. Some of the negroes came OUT
to us in small boats They were nearly
naked and some of them were laughing
while others were crying. Some of themi
carried chairs with them, while others,
brought dogs and kittens as all their
property. Their woody hair was thick'
with ashes. Several big pans on board our
ship were filled with cooked food andS
placed on the deck; they were soon SURF
rounded by a crowd of chattering natives.
'eThe negroes were all saved by o'clock
IN the afternoon, except few who refus-,
ed 10 leave the land. At this hour thei
Suchet signalled The operation Is over !
thank YOU The Suchet then steamed,
away in the direction of Port de France.
But our boats had not yet all returned
to the ship. We were still waiting for the
last one when there was tremendous
report from the crater of Mont Pelee-,
quickly followed by a second report.
These explosions caused great excitementA
on shore and our last boat returned TO U.S.
bringing the remainder Of the negroes,
Including those who had previously re-
fused to leave. They had been frightened
by the reports and jumping into the seal
had swan out to the boat.
1--WE saved GOO people from the north side
where, on account of the wind there werea
not so many ashes. We take great pride,
in the fact that the Danish flag was thes
first foreign one at the scene of disaster,
We proceeded TO Fort de Franc and
landed there the people we had rescued,
as well as some provisions. At the latter
port a government official came on board.
the Valkyrien and thanked us all for what
we had done. The Suchet returned to st.
Pierre and secured the gold from the bank
at Martinique. The coins had melted to-
getSer.
Last Wednesday May IA. the officers