The Birmingham age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1902-1950, 1902-09-06
Eruption Of September 3 Was
Not Remarkable But the
Worst Has Not Come
OLD VOLCANO EXPECTED
TO BLOW ITS HEAD OFF
Captain Of Steamer Reports La Sou
fiIere In Violent Eruption-His
Boat Was Completely Gov
cred In Rain of Ashes.

Castries, September 5.-The eruption Of
Mont Pelee on September was not re-
markable, but there was a terrific ex-
plosion from the Soufriers September 8.
The captain eff tho steamer Savan now
here, confirms the report cabled to the
Associated Press last night that she ran
into dense clouds of dust when twenty
miles of st. Vincent at o'clock IN the
morning of Wednesday. He adds that abb
solute darkness prevailed soon after
wards. and that he changed his course
in order to avoid the asnes.
The first officer could not see the cap
tain two feet away ana only knew him by
his voice. They did not see the sun until
about 10 a. m. the same day.
The steamer Yare further reports that
several valuable plantations were de-
stroyed at the time of the recent out
break in addition to the township re-
ferred to in previous dispatches, and adds
that the anxiety and detection of the
surviving population is general.
Martinique Is Doomed.
New York, September 5-It is generally
believed that the island of Martinique is
doomed to total destruction, and the fear
is that when the catastrophe comes
Guadalupe will be visited by most
destructive tidal wave, cables a Point-a-
Pitre, Guadalupe. correspondent of the
Herald
Business is absolutely at a standstill.
Few shops are open, and il it were not
for the efforts Of small number of more
valiant souls hundreds would starve to
death here because of their fear of more
terrible death.
Details that have been received during
the last two days prove that the eruption
of Mont Pelee August 80 was far more
violent than any OF the earlier explo-
sions.
AS the eruptions continue the mouth of
Mont Pelee grows in size. 1t Is now of
enormous proportions. Morne LIE Croix,
one of the peaks that reared skyward
from the side of Pelee, has fallen bodily
into the crater and has been completely
swallowed. There seems to be a side
pressure in the crater and the burning
chasm widens perceptibly every day.
Clouds Driven Away.
Clouds no more hang about the crest
of Mont Pelee The terrific heat seems
to drive everything away. The column
of flame and smoke rears directly into
the heavens, so that its top Is lost to
sight In the darkness of the night 1t
has the appearance of a stream of mol
ton iron, standing between heaven and
earth.
From Morne Capote, the relief troops
were compelled to make quick retreat,
although they succeeded in taking out
a few wounded. The entire country
nearly to Fort de France is buried under
a deep cover of ashes. This has made it
almost impossible to find the bodies of
those who have perished while fleeing to
the seacoast.
Constantine Cara, one of the few who
succeeded in escaping from Morne Rouge
after the explosion, found refuge on tee
steamer Esk. She was with twelve others
in her house when Peeo gave its first
warning Of the disaster which it was
about to pour upon the village. She said
that the first explosion destroyed many
houses. She was hurled with great force
against the wall of the room in which
she was sitting. On recovering from the
shock she ran outside and there saw
three separate tongues of fire sweeping
down from the mouth Of the volcano The
earth shook with so great violence that
she could not retain her feet She was
blinded by the glare of the flames Tle
heat was so intense that her flesh was
blistered She awaited the death which
she believed to be inevitable. Fortunately
the fire swept a little to one side Of her
and she was saved
Must Leave Island.
At GraLde Anse the tide swept 300 feet
in shore, destroying many houses and
drowning scores of the inhabitants Even
at Fort de France the most stout of heart
have lost courage.
Colonel LeCoeuer has reported to his
government that it is his opinion the
entire island Of Martinique will have to
be abandoned. He asks for assistance in
transporting the inhabitants TO the other
islands of the West Indian group
Consul Ayme Alarmed.
Chicago, September 81 am seriously
alarmed at the news of the renewed ac-
tivity of the Martinique and st. Vincent
volcanoes" said Louis H. Ayme, United
States consul at Guadeloupe, who is in
Chicago on sick leave Should Mont
Pelee blow its head off the loss of life
consequent upon the production of a
great tidal wave would be appalling.
With Pelee as a center, chain of is
lands extends northwestward embrace
ing a population of some 10000 persons.
Almost without exception the cities and
villages are situated along the coasts
and but slightly elevated above the sea.
A t1ddl wave lorty Ieet n1Sn, probably
would destroy half million lives before
it dashed against the shore of Porto
Rico with its million inhabitants.
There is also apparently grave danger
that other long extinct volcanoes may
break out. The great Soufriere of Quad
eloupe has been active for centuries, dis
charging a vast column of sulphur
charged steam from the old summit era
ter. This may have acted a sort of
safety valve, but IL, reports seem to
Indicate, the seismic forces are increas-
Ing in intensity this volcanoe and others
along the line of seismic weakness mark
ed by the island chain. may soon be RI
yalling Pelee.
People Cannot Leave.
.sThe people of these islands are in a
hard situation. Their communication with
the outer world depends chiefly on a sin
xle line Of steamers which call at inter-