The Washington times., 1902-06-03
COMMANDER MENTZ
TELLS OF MARTINIQUE
Reports to Navy Department
of Relief Afforded.
DESCRIBES THE ERUPTION
Conveys Expressions of Gratitude ia
Government of Island Governor and
People-United States Consul Ayma
Highly Commended for His Work.

Acting Secretary Darling has Just re-
ceived report from Commander George
W. Mentz. OF the United States steamer
Sterling. upon the relief work done by
that ship in Martinique and St Vincent.
The Sterling was the station ship at San
Juan. Porto Rico. and arrived at the
scene OF distress next to the little Poto-
mac with relief supplies.
The report shows that within nine
hours after receiving the orders Of the
Secretary of the Navy the ship was
ready to sail. This was due to the efforts
Of all. but particularly, as Commander
Mentz says. because OF the intelligence
and Jealous assistance OF Paymaster
Merritt in loading the Sterling.
Those on Board.
Tho ship sailed at IL O'Clock p. m. May
10, carrying. in addition 10 her regular
officers and Commander Mentz and Pay
master Merritt. in charge Of the naval
supplies. the following: Mr.. Cooper, as
sistant to Paymaster Merritt; Captain
Crabbs, quartermaster United States
Army. in charge of army supplies: First
Lieut.. Moreno, assistant to Captain
Crabbs; Contract Surgeon DR.. Doherty
and one hospital steward. one commits
sary sergeant, four teamsters, United
States Army, and the postmaster at San
Juan. In charge OF registered mail for
Martinique.
The relief supplies exhausted the
stock of the navy and army at San
Juan. and besides the ship carried forty
tons of provisions subscribed by the
government and citizens OF Porto Rico.
Two mule teams were taken for shore
transportation of supplies.
But One Incident.
The only incident of the trip to Fort
de France. the Sterling arriving there
May Is, was the rescue from sinking
boat of four refugees from Precheur.
Commander Mentz reports that. the gov
ernor having been killed by the st.
Pierre eruption. the secretary of the
island assumed the governorship. being
confirmed by the French government.
and to him Commander Mentz delivered
the relief supplies.
No immediate relief was NEEDED. the
island government having housed.
clothed. and fed the 5000 refugees in
Fort de France. In two or three weeks,
however, the supplies would be exhaust
ed and outside relief would be needed.
A thousand suits of clothes and shoes
were delivered to the captain OF Fl. VI.
s. Indefatigable for the island of st.
Vincent.
Commander Mentz thus describes the
great eruption on May 20. which
that DESTROYED st. Pierre:
Stones Fell in Town.
Larger stones fell in the town, some
six inches in diameter. the hail OF peb-
bles was greater. os also was the de-
posit of mud and dust. The people nat
lrally were in a panic. and shrieking
with fright fed to the water. taking
boats. or swimming to get on board the
vessels in the harbcr.
About 5000 were thus struggling at
Dne time to get to a place of safety.
lmong them women scantily clad. with
nothing on but their night robes. For
some time it looked as il Fort de
France would meet with the fate of st.
Pierre Except. however. for deposit
IF good sized stones. pebbles. mud and
lust. no damage was done to the town
Itself. so far as / know.
Where on the Sth the destruction
seemed to stop at line running east
from the village OF Carbet. IT now. as
far as vegetation is concerned. extends
10 the edge of the town OF Fort de
France; so that. although the relief sent
1y the United States Government is not
lbsolutely needed at the present time.
I'm confident that in the course of
ew weeks. there will be much distress,
md 1t will be u very welcome supply.
Government Thankful.
'In expressing his gratitude and that
u the people OF Martinique to the Pres
dent of the United States. the Secrs-
AIRY OF the Navy sad the Secretary Of
Var for their great sympathy and their
prompt and acceptable expression of the
same. the acting governor was much
Effected, and am sure felt deeply what
le said"
United States Consul Ayme is spe-
tally commended as ready at all hours
4 the day and night. in spite of illness.
o render assistance. The Sterling re-
urned to San Juan on May 90. which
S the date of the report.