The herald and news. [volume] (Newberry S.C.) 1903-1937, 1905-06-02
MI SHIMA A NEW ISLAND.
Nature Adding Another Island to the
Japanese Archipelago.
New York Sun.


Volcanic forces have added a new
island to the domain OF Japan 1t is
$50 feet in height and nearly three
miles in circumference, and its ap-
pearance was witnessed by the in
habitants OF neighboring island.
Its advent was announced two
months ago without the interesting
details that have just come to hand.
Five hundred and fifty miles a; lit
tie east of south Of Toxic a number
OF small islands rising above the
Pacific are known as the Volcano
Islands, for they were evidently
formed by the outpourings Of subter-
ranean volcanoes and emerged from
the sea at comparatively recent
period. The islands lie along a line
of weakness in the earth's crust ex-
tending hundreds of miles from the
FIJI to the Bonin Islands This line
is dotted here and there with volca-
noes. The Volcano and the neighbour
ing BONN Islands have an area Of
only about 20 square miles, but the
fires that lifted Iceland and the
Azores above the sea pale in COM
parison with those that created the
scores OF volcanic rocks that are
Strewn through this part Of the
Pacific.
Up. to November II last there
were four islands in the volcanic
group, but now there are five. The
inhabitants OF Sulphur Island say
that on that day they heard the most
awesome rumblings and groanings
and saw a great deal of smoke about
20 miles distant. The clouds, which
were doubtless clouds OF black ash
and steam. continued for about two
weeks and then they cleared away
and the natives saw what appeared
to be three little islands, While the
smoke lasted the sea appeared to b.
on fire. Vulcan was evidently hay
ing a fight with the ocean.
On Decmbr II, when everything
had euieted down, the natives decided
that what had appeared to them to
be three islands was one island about
half as large as their own. They did
not muster courage, however, to ap-
proach their new neigh5or for about
six weeks, for they could see that the
still unconsolidated material of which
the island was formed was changing
its shape little from day to day and
they were afraid that new outburst
might catch them if they ventured
near. At last, on February I, ten
men ventured out in a boat and a
canoe on an exploring expedition and
the next day they landed on the
island.
On the south side of towering
precipitous coast had been formed by
the fast consolidating rock, but on
the north side was gentle slope
where they had no difficulty in moor
ing. Here they found a boiling lake
from which steam ascended. All the
rest was volcanic dust that yielded
under their feet. They planted pole
which they had brought i'll their boat,
raised the Japanese flag and named
the island Mi Shima. Japan was the
first of the powers on the ground,
and probably not even Russia could
dispute her right to the new posses
sion.
So the new islands formed by vol
canic agencies are coming now just as
in the older days Some Of them soon
leave us to mourn their loss, because
the sea storms wash them away
before they have time to get firm
footing above the waters. Three
years ago Falcon island, which had
main: aimed a precarious existence
above the waters OF the nlim-Pacific
until little trees had rooted in IFS soil,
gave up the struggle and was seen no
more. Two years ago two little is
lands rose up in a night about ten
feet above the waters of Walfish bay