Delaware gazette and state journal. (Wilmington, Del.) 1883-1902, 1902-05-22
MOUNT PELEE AGAIN
BELCHES FORTH FIRE
Another Eruption of the Vol
cano Scares the People OF
Fort de France.
FLED TO VESSELS IN THE HARB0R
Two Daring Men Climb to
Pelee'S Crater Mouth.


Fort de France, Martinique, May 90.
AT half past 5 o'clock this morning
thick heavy cloud, lit up by flashes
of lightning and the rising sun, rose
from Mount Pelee.
The people of Fort de France at once
became panic-stricken and in scant
attire rushed excitedly through the
streets. Stones from the volcano as
big MS hazel nuts fell in the streets.
Many of the residents hurriedly en-
barked on the vessels in the barbor,
and it was with difficulty that they
were eventually treasured.
At 7 O'Clock the excitement was over
and the people became calm.
The phenomenon of this morning was
similar to the eruption of Thursday,
May Sth, but not so severe.
The expedition sent yesterday to re-
cover the bodies OF the American and
British consuls at st. Pierre nearly
resulted in fearful horror. The YES
sells taking part in the expedition were
the United States tug Potomac and the
| British cruiser Indefatigable. The
Potomac, under the command of Lieut..
Benjamin B. Mccormick, arrived there
| first at IL O'Clock in the morning and
landed working parties. One party went
| to the site of the American consulate
and the other, headed by Lieut.. Nc
CormiclS, went to the north end of the
town, to the spot where tho British
consulate stood, whence the lieutenant
could see Mount Pelee. He noticed
that huge column of smoke and gas
was pouring out of the crater.
Rushing to the site of the American
consulate he ordered all hands to the
boats. The American sailors picked
up heavy metallic coffin in wooden
case, containing the body of United
States Consul Thomas L. Prentiss ano
carried it to a boat. The party was in
imminent danger.
In tho meantime the interchangeable
had arrived off ST. Pierre, but left the
shore, heading for the sea, blowing hei
siren. At that time huge stream o.
molten matter was pouring into thu
sea, raising columns of steam, and the
whole sea was hideous, having turned
yellow green color, while what was
apparently smoke was rushing from
the mountain.
The detonations were continuous, anc
were accompanied by fearful storm
of lightning, thunder and rain. Th,
flashes were of terrific violence, ant
during the storm new craters opened
in Mount Pelee.
Fortunately the wind kept the cloud
of smoke and gas from enveloping tn
American and British warships or tn
working party. The GOODNESS an,
courage of the American sailors wer
noteworthy.
The body of Mr.. Prestiss is nov
here. There will be funeral service
on board the United States cruise
Cincinnati. The burial will take plac
ashore.
A severe inundation at Basse Pointe
on the northeast coast of the island
swept away 20 houses, and so othe
buildings were damaged by the fiowinI
mud. There was no further loss o
life, Basse Pointe having beef
abandoned several days ago.
Access to the ruins of ST. Pierre i
still impossible.
Sufficient food supplies are arrivin,
here, but linen clothing, bedding an,
disinfectants are needed. The refugee
at Fort de France are without worl
and money is needed for their support