The Pacific commercial advertiser. [volume] (Honolulu, Hawaiian Islands) 1885-1921, 1902-05-17
PARTICULARS OF
THE CATASTROPHY

ST. THOMAS. ID. w. l.. May Am
eruption or Mont Peiee volcano de-
stroyed by flaming gas and cinders the
beautiful town OF ST. Pierre. Marti-
nique. yesterday morning. From
o'clock in the morning until l o'clock
II the afternoon ST. Pierre was a mass
OF fire. During the Intervening hours a
torrent OF re6hot cinders poured down
upon the commercial capital. The
streets we're fiiled with the destructive
Outpouring. cutting of all avenues OF
escape. IL Is believed that very few
OF the twenty-five thousand inhabit-
ants of the city could have escaped.
From all information so far obtained
IL L. estimated that the number OF
lives lost in Martinique Island will
arrived at Dominica today reports that
she was compelled to run from st. Vim
cent because OF the volcanic eruption
on that island on Wednesday after
noon. This vessel was on Martinique
yesterday morning about s o'clock when
the eruption OF Mount Peiee occurred.
Those on board the vessel say there
was n tremendous explosion OF the
mountain. and n great cloud OF fire
seemed To- sweep down upon the city
and all the territory around. leaving
no chance for escape for its citizens.
SHIPPING Il ENvELoPED.
Shipping lying OF ST. Pierre vas also
developed in the seethlng flames and
destroyed with wonderful quickness.
Hope II abandoned tina; the Cover
nor OF Martinique and his wife have
survived. Nothing has been seen or
heard OF the military forces quartered
in the town The French cruiser SUI
chet vas In port when the disaster
took place. Her officers went ashore
TO give relief. but were unable To rem
der much assistance except TO rescue
about thirty persons.
Great heaps 90 bodies were seen on the
blazing ~harves- II was impossible for
the Suchets officers TO penetrate the
town.
Although Mout Peiee volcano had been
emitting fir and smoke az intervals for
several days. the residents OF 81. Pierre
did not apprchend any great eruption.
When the volcano became active after n
silence Of half century the inhabitants
were startled and became psnlc-stricken.
But fears began to subside after a few
days Then came the destruction OF tbs.
Guertn factories. near Martinique. and
the lOss OF about 80 lives. The panic In
the town Was renewed. but the population
oeEnn Co recover just ss the final catas-
,rophc took place.
PERISH THROUGH BRAVERY
The inhabitants Of 81. Pierre perished |
through their bravery and devotion to ]
heir town and homes
Captain Freeman OF the British ship
which Was At ST Pierre At the j
lime Of the holocaust. and which brought
he news TO ST Lucia. 10 In a critical con-
iition IN the hospital ~ 81. Lucia
All OF the Rodian's officers and enSl-
iecrs are dead or dying. Most Of the
rev pcrished and the supercArgo. Camp
Scu. and ten men. jumped overheard and
oSt their lives The town Of ST Thomas Z
= ssntinG TO ST Pierre n relief vessel the
Merit. The cable ship Grappicr. lost In
Martinique. MAS the first vessel 20 be de-
troyed-
FLEES FROM ST. VINCENT.
The British schooner Ocean Traveller OF
u. John. ~. n. arrived at the island OF
st o'clock this afternoon from
he West Indies. She was Obliged 20 Zee
rom The Island % 81 Vincent. British
Vest indies. during the afternoon OF May ,
IN consequence of n heavy fall Of sand !
rurn q volcano which Was e-upting there ]
~ It'u ." r'acn the iriand of ST Lucia. 2
at adverse Garments prevented her from I,
otrE ~. The schooner arrived opposite
: iIerre. Martinique. Thursday morning.
'aE While about a mil. OF the vol 2
sno - Mont Pciec IRE from "a swept g;
'c - hole town % St Pierre. destroying | r
Pc town snd the shipping there. inciud--
: tf- cah'c repair ship Grappier % the o
81 India nud Panama Telegraph Com b
'1F - London. which was engaged IN =
tairiuE the cable. The Ocean Trrv.ier. | q
bile on her way 60 pouinica. .rcCuu-
rsd a quantity % wrCkage. ',