The semi-weekly messenger. [volume] (Wilmington, N.C.) 1897-1908, 1902-05-23
ANOTHER PANIC
SEXES PEOPLE ON ISLAND OF
ST. VINCENT
SOUFRIERE IN ERUPTION
Lawn Pouring from the Volcano,
Accompanied by Shocks and Loud
RepOrts-A Thick Cloud of Smoke
Eruption from Mont Pelee-Red
Hot BOulders Rained Down on the
Ruins of st. Pierre-RescuinG the
Islanders.


Kingston. Island of St Vincent. Mon
day, May 19.-Another great eruption Of
the Soufriere volcano occurred last
night. Throughout Sunday the adjoin-
ing districts trembled and some of the
shocks were felt here. Smoke issued
from creators and tissues Of the noun
tain and the atmosphere throughout the
island of st. Vincent was exceedingly
hot. While the worshippers were re-
turning from church at $3.50 o'clock p.
m. an alarming luminous cloud sudden
ly ascended many miles high. in the
north Of the island. and drifted slug
gishly to the northeast. Incessant
lightning fell on the mountain and one
severe flash seemed to strike about
three miles from Kingston. The thun-
derous rumblings in the creators lasted
for two hours and then diminished un-
til they became mere murmurings. The
remainder of the night was clear.
Ashes fell from 10 o'clock until mid
night. The inhabitants were frenzied
with fear at the time Of the outbro.k
dreadfng a repetition of the catastrophe
which caused such terrible loss of life
on this island. They ran from the
streets into the open country, crying
and praying for preservation from an
other calamity. No one on the island
Of st. Vincent slept that night. Reports
received here from the districts in the
vicinity of the volcano say that the
rumblingS of the crater were appalling
and that streams of lava flowed down
the mountain side.
The continuous agitation of the vol
cano and the absence of rain has caus-
ed the vicinity of the afflicted section to
look like portions of the desert of Sa-
hara. A thick. smoky cloud overspreads
here; the streets are empty and every
one is terror-strickeu. The feeling OF
suspense is painful. People pass theit
time gazing at the northern sky, where
the thunder clouds gather and the
mournful roaring of the volcano is
heard. Ashes and pumice are falling
slowly in the out-diStrictS.
Today there is an alarming report.
from a credible source, that Enham
mountain. near the NarriaQuia valley.
an old and apparently extinct crater. is
showing signs of activity. This volca-
no is only six miles from Kingston.
Mont PeIee in Violent Eruption.
Fort de France. Island of Martinique.
May 2.-Yesterday'S eruption from
Mont Pelee was violent in the extreme.
were elected from the volcano, which
rained huge, red hot boulderS many feet
in diameter on the ruins of st. Pierre.
and the country near it, from an enor-
nous elevation and with fearful veloci-
ty. The volcanic clouds advanced until
they reached Fort de France.
The spectacle was appalling and sub
-I,Al0
population Of Fort de France was
thrown into a frenzy of panic, during
which soldiers, police, men and women.
all terrified, frantic, weeping and pray
ing, rushed through the streets, while
overhead the glowing fiery clouds rolled
relentlessly and rained down stones,
still hot, amid the swirling ashes.
The steam launch of the United States
cruiser Cincinnati took some refugees
to the French cruiser Suchet and nearly
a hundred persons sought refuge on the
Cincinnati and on the United States
special steamer Potomac
At 10 o'clock the Potomac went to in
vestigate matters and all reports agree
that Lieutenant Benjamin B. McCor-
mick. the commander of the steamer,
did great work. He went in close to St
Pierre and found that city had been
nearly raZed. Millions of tons of ashes
then covered the ruined city. Further
south smaller stones had destroyed the
houses of the brave villagers who had
stuck to their homes.
Lieutenant Mccormick took on board
the Potomac $50 refugees, the oldest OF
whom was 72 years and the youngest
days old. The lieutenant fed them 2
brought the party to Fort de France
This work of rescue was difficult and
dangerous.
1t is reported the whole population
of the island is fleeing towards Fort is
France. The CONSERVATION prevailing
is indescribable. Mont Pelee is still
very threatening.
The French cruiser Suchet went on
another tour around the island and took
part in the rescue work of the Potomac.
Washington, May 21.-Adjutant Gen.
eral Corbin tonight received the follow
ing cablegram from Captain Gallagher,
who. went to Martinique on the Dixie:
Fort de France, May q.
"Adjutant General, Washington.
Effects of the eruption are confined
to the northern portion Of the island.
st. Pierre and neighboring villages are
totally destroyed. Thirty thousand is
a fair estimate Of the loss of life in the
zone Of destruction. Physical condi-
tons are normal, but the people are
panic-stricken. This condition was in
creased by yesterdays eruption. which
was quite severe. but did not material
ly add to the desolation. Supplies Of
all kinds are sufficient for eight wooks.
What has been done was just what the
emergency demanded, and nothing
further can be suggested. The govern
ment and people are most grateful
the cargo. She will proceed with what
GALLAGHER"