The evening Republican. (Wilmington, Del.) 1902-1902, 1902-05-29
EXPLORERSARESAFE
Americans Unhurt by Mont
Pelee's Wrath,
WHAT CEOL0GIST HILL OBSERVED
Interesting Report of Government
Expert who Made Horseback
Journey to Martinique volca-
nO-Crater CnapprOachabIe.

Expert who Made . Horseback
Journey to Martinique vOlca-
no-Crater UnapproachabIe.
FORT DE FRANCE. Martinique
May 29.-A tremendous explosion OF
very black smoke from Mont Pelee at
a quarter before 8 o'clock yesterday
morning accentuated the fear enter.
tained for the safety Of George Ken
nan, the American author, who with
land party, has been examining the
northern part Of the island, and the
governor Of Martinique, Nj. Lhuerre,
was at once seen in the matter of ar
ranging for rescue party to proceed
by land in connection with the voyage
along the coast Of the island of the
United States cruiser Cincinnati should
such steps appear necessary.
At about II o'clock Fernand Clerc, a
wealthy landed proprietor of Martt.
nique, arrived here and announced that
Mr.. KEENAN, and his party were safe
on a plantation at the north end of the
island.
Professor Robert 7. Hill, United
States government geologst and head
of the expedition sent to Martinique
by the National Geographical society,
who left Fort de France Monday on
horseback for the volcano, has just re-
turned here. He was completely worn
out by his trip. Professor Hill recites
an interesting story of his examination
of the district through which he
passed. He left Fort de France at l
O'Clock Monday afternoon. He was
accompanied by Mr.. Cavannaugh, an
army officer from the British island Of
Trinidad. and a boy named Joe, who
was TO act as Interpreter.
The party set out on horseback and
took the direct north road for MOrnc
Rouge. Between the hamlets of Deux
Choux and Ponds st. Denis the party
entered upon the outer edge of the zone
or the ashes. Except for occasional
patches all the country to this point
was green and smiling
Upon reaching the Raibaud planta-
ton, one mile southwest of st. Pierre,
the explorers met the clear line of de.
marcatOn of the zone of fame and de.
structlon, although not of annihilation.
Monday night was spent in deserted
house at FOnds st. Denis. from which
Professor Hill witnessed and studied
the volcanic eruption of that night.
At this point the horses of the party
became exhausted.
Early the next morning Professor
Hill pushed on to Mont Parnasse,
where several people We're killed in the
eruption of May s. Professor Hill en-.
no human beings but he did
meet number of abandoned cattle,
which tried to follow him. From Mont
Parnasse the explorer proceeded for
Mornc Rouge. There he succeeded in
getting number Of important photo
graphs, but found that close ap-
proach to Mont Pelee was impossible,
and as his actual position was danger
Gus he started back in southerly di- |
rectiOn.
At Champs Flore Professor Hills |
horse gave out completely, and he Sc
cured the services of native guides,
who led him by wild mountain paths
back to FOnds st. Denis and Dcux
Choux. Tuesday night was spent at
the latter place. From this point Pro.
fessoE Hill sent messenger into Fort
lie France with a request that a car
'iage be sent out for him.
Speaking personally Of his expedi-
ion to Mont Pclee, Professor Hill said:
my attempt to examine the crater
II Mont Pelce has been futile. l sue.
'eeded, however, in getting very close
o MOrne Rouge. At : o'clock Monday
light | witnessed from point near
he ruins of st. Pierre a frightfu OK
'losion from Mont Pelee and noted the
accompanying phenomena. While these
ruptions continue no sane man should
lttempt an ascent to the crater of the
'Olcan0. Following the salvOs of detO.
lationS from the mountain gigantic
|
nd cinders ascendcd into the clear,
tariff sky and then spread in Il vast
lack sheet to the south and directly
yer my head.
"rhrough this sheet, which extended
distance of ten miles from the crater.
ivid and awful lightninglikc bolts
ashed with alarming frequency. They
ollowcd distinct paths Of ignition, but
'ere different from lightning in that
le bolts were horizontal and not per-
endicular. This is indsputable evil
encc of the explosive oxidation Of the
ases after they left the crater This
Il most important observation and
Splalns In part the awful catastrophe.
his phenomenon is entirely new in
Dlcanic history.
II took many photographs. but do not
estate to acknowledge that l WAS ter |
fed. But was not the only person 4.
frightened. Two newspaper CORE.
)Ondents who were close to Mornc
ouge some hours before me became ,
AIRED, ran three miles down the noun r
In and fastened into Fort de France.
'Thc people Oh the north end of the r
land are terrified and are fleeing with a
'eir cattle and effects"
The explosion Of yesterday morning l.
as accompanied by an enormous col. q
mn OF smoke which rose fully three a
lies into the air. but which was large.
hidden from the view OF the people
Fort de France by heavy cumulus. I
here was consequently no panic here.