Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1906-08-01
BACK FROM VESUVIUS
PROF. PERRETT, MATTEUcCI's
AID, TELLS ABOUT ERUPTION.

Prof. Frank A. Perrett. the American
scientist who was stationed at the Royal
Italian Observatory on Mount vesavius
during the eruption last April, arrived IN
New York Monday on the White Star
liner Cretic from Naples, as briefly reported
In The Star.
At his home. in Brooklyn, Prof Perrett
talked to a reporter.
MY experience on Mount Vesuvius dur
ing the eruption was most thrilling. For
twenty days and nights the volucano was
necessarily active. The earth quaked at
frequent intervals, and the tremedous ex-
plosions made sleep quite impossible for
several nights. At noon the heavy fall OF
ashes made the atmosphere as dark az
night.
1.-THE eruption really commenced in May,
1905. and the elimination cams In April
this year. Our worst experience was on
the night of April Z and the morning OF
April g. During that period We expected
every minute to be engufed by the lave or
ashes that poured from the crater
In Bewildering Darkness.
Except for flashes from the top OF the
mount we were in bewilderjug darkness,
caused by the ashes. Our little band con-
sisted of Prof. Matteucci. the director OF
the observatory, who was later commend.
operator. six carbineers and myself.
Until April Is the danger was great at
all times. The devotion and heroism OF
the carbineers were marvellous when you
consider that they were ignorant men, with
no idea of the scientific valne Of the OBJ
servation and no hope of reward for re-
naming in danger. After he eruption
came great mud streams from LIE mour,-
tain. The rain. falling upon the dry ashes,
which still cover the whole of the cone,
was quickly absorbed. When a certain
point was reached the whole mass would
start to slide, carrying with 1t rocks boud-
ers and any objects that came in its way.
Torrents Of Liquid Mud.
'"rhese mud streams flowed down the
ravines into the small towns at the base
OF the mountain. Many people we're car
ried away in the torrents os liquid mud.
and numbers of lives were saved by the
heroism of the Italian carbinecrs and sol
diers who had been sent to the rescue
The service on the Circum Vesuvio rail-
way which runs around the base of the
mountains, was frequently interrupted by
these streams.
Before the eruption took place the dis
lance across the cone of the mountain was
at the most $50 yards, and now 1t Is
fully 700 yards. This will give you some
idea of the great change that has taken
place in the appearance of the volcano
Asked whether Vesuvius was likely to go
future the professor said:
Volcanoes Unrest Peculiar.
The constant un est OF the volcano
since It's last big eruption Is peculiar
Usually after an eruption a volcano re-
mains in repose for at least a year. but
since the last outbreak there have been
slight earthquake shocks daily. In addition
great quantities of gas have been escap-
II he
vent Is SO open that the gases escape
quietly without resistance. Consequently
they are invisible except very humid
days, when they resemble cloud of steam
issuing from the crater.
'Vesuvius was quiet for $50 years pre-
vious to the eruption of 1881, and for a
very long period prior to the outbreak
which destroyed Pompeii in 70 A D. It
is believed now that there will be no more
serious trouble with Vesuvius for some
years, and the peasants are returning to
the land and rebuilding their demolished
homes
THE Funicula railway, which formerly
conveyed tourists to the summit OF the
crater, has been completely wiped out as
has been the restaurant outside the railway
station, where luncheons were served.
Railway to the Summit.
Tourist agencies have been consulting
with engineers and devising all kinds of
schemes to build railway to the summit
which would be less dangerous than the
one recently destroyed. People can go to
the top of Vesuvius now, but the heat
combined with the difficult climb, keeps all
but few hardy adventures away.
II shall remain here till October. and
then return to Naples and resume my OBJ
servationg at the Royal Italian observa-
tory on Mount Vesuvius."
The professor is a SLIM quiet Joking man
OF medium height, and did not appear to
be affected by his experience He was very
reluctant to speak of his risks In the cause
of science. but preferred to speak Of the
great and good work done by the Italian
soldiers in the time Of peril. Prof Perrett
has some fine photographs which were
taken during the eruption.
assistant to the observatory for one wear
by the University of Naples In November
last He Is very enthusiastic seismolo-
gist, and hopes that his appointment will
be extended for another year, In order that
he ean"make further observations