The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1906-04-07
READY TO run FROM VESUYIUS
VIOLENT ERUPTION PUTS SEW
ERAL TOWNS IN PERIL.
People of BoscOtrecase May BE Forced
TO Leave Their Homes, as Lava FIOw
Is Getting Dangerously Near-Ashes
and sand Are Thrown TO Great Height
Special Gable Despatch 10 THE sun.

Special Gable Despatch 10 THE Sun.
Naples, April b.-Boscotrecase, a town
Of 10, 900 people, the nearest one Of import
auce to the crater of Vesuvius, is in great
danger from the eruption of the volcano,
which became more violent to-day.
The authorities may order the inhabi-
tants to leave their homes and retire from
the zone Of danger. Boscotrecase lies be-
tween the volcano and Pompeii toward
which streams of lava were flowing with
considerable rapidity this morning.
On the side of the crater toward Pompeii,
the flow of lava has divided, one stream
threatening Ottajano, which has a popu-
lation of $1,000; the other, Tore del Greco,
a commune of 10000.
The new crater formed by the latest
eruption is perhaps twenty feet in circum-
ference. Lava which emits terrific heat
has flowed over two miles from this crater.
Hot ashes and sand are being thrown
to a great height and undergoing a pro-
cess Of condemnation, fall as black mud
which is running vegetation. The sh overs
Of ashes and cinders which annoyed the
inhabitants of Naples yesterday, have
decreased.
Inhabitants OF m to the south
vi nv No'Noio' ~ NV NV "
has taken its course, used as they are to
thethreatening demonstr ations Of vesuvius
nave become seriously alarmed.
For several years Vesuvius has been
almost constantly in eruption, coming out
Of a long sleep on September 7, 1902, at a
time when all the volcanoes Of the world,
both those known to be living and those
reported dead. seemed TO start into stimuli
taneous activity, 1t was in the summer
of 1902 that Mont Pelee erupted and
destroyed st. Pierre, Martinique.
As early as 1901 Prof. Montetucci. a we'll
known student Of Vesuvius, warned the.
Italian Government that the volcano was
awakening from its long sleep and that a
break might be expected at any time. The
activity which started again in September.
1902. has continued with intervals of quiet
until the present eruption, which is said TO
be the most violent for many years.
This is the record Of Vesuvius:
In 03 A. D., during the reign of Nero, the
volcanic nature of Mount Vesuvius first
ma infested itself in a series Of earthquakes,
which destroyed much property and dam
aged villas at Pompeii and H~erculaneum.
In "a A.. D.. an eruption and earthquake
damag ed Naples and frightened the people.
in August "a. 20. in the reign of Titus.
the volcano erupted with its most appa ling
fury, overwhelming Pompeii. Herculaneum,
Stabia and other villa ges of the district.
Vesuvius went into a sleep of 1874 years
and let go in the year 2O3. during the reign
OF Alexander Severus. In the year Az an
eruption took place which was so violent
that stories were told of ashes being carried
as far as Constantinople. Between 472 and
1900 nine eruptions are recorded.
Vesuvius slept again from 1900 to 1881.
On December 10 of the latter year a terrible
outbreak OF lava occurred. Huge clouds OF
smoke and ashes cast a gloom over Naples
in the middle Of the day and extended with
remarkable rapidity over the southern part
of Italy. as far as Tarentum, The earth
was c%onvulsed by. violent earthquakes, and
seven streams of lava poured from the
crater, overwhelming Bosoo, Tore An
nunziata, Tore del Greco, Reeina and
Portici. At least 5000 persons lost their
lives.
In 1907 there was an eruption of a violent
nature which lasted nearly four months !
and covered Naples with dense showers of
ashes, greatly terrifying the citizens.
There were eruptions in 1897, 1890 and
1867, In which. streams Of lava poured from
the crater and showers of ashes descended
on Portioi and even reached Naples.
In August, 1910, the outbunt Of the vol !
cano was so violent that redhot stones were
thrown 900 feet in the air and the country |
vas covered with ashes and mud, The
eruption Of 1904 destroyed 400 lives. Lava
flowed to the sea and ashes were carried
many miles.
Eruptions occurred in 1904. 1905, 1922,
1850 and 1865. During another in 1858 the
crater sank about lP5 feet below it's former
elevation. December q. 1851, an outbreak
occurred which devastated Tore del Greco. |
There was a period Of quiescence, but
the volcano became active once more in
January, 1871. The eruption eliminated
on April 20. 1872. A huge stream of lava
issued so suddenly from the mountain as to
overwhelm twenty persons who were watch !
ing the spectacle. Mass and San Sebastiano
were partly destroyed. Red hot stones and
lava were hurled over 1000 feet in the air.
Terrific earthquake shocks accompanied
the eruption,
Old Vesuvius nodded for thirteen wears.
hut the eruptions which started in 1887 were
comparatively mild. From 1891 until 1894
there was a series of outbreaks which