Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1908-02-02
THE BIRTH AND DEATH OF ISLANDS

1NDOU BTEDLY the most
~ extraordinary group Of
islands to be found the
globe is that bearing the name
of Bogoslof. This cluster be-
longs to Alaska and is situated
in Bering Sea about twenty
five miles north of Unalaska.
Previous to May IS, 1896,
the stormy waters of Bering
Sea rolled unrestrained over
the present site of this group. -
On that date, however, ire
mendous CONFUSION of nature
forced up island, and as it
appeared on Saint Johns day
it received from the Russians
the name Joanna Bogoslova,
or John the Theologian's
Island. The natives, however,
know it as Agaschagoch island.
In four years from the time it
first appeared above the waves s
the island had risen to height
of three thousand feet. Owing
to imperfect surveys the early
explorers enormously supposed 1sesa
that it formed part of Umnak
Island.
During the summer of 1882
natives passing in their skin
canoes in the vicinity OF Bog
oslof saw smoke issuing from
the island; but their super
stitious fears prevented them
from witnessing the grand and
unusual sight of nature in the throes of childbirth
On September Fl, 1883, Captain Anderson, of the
surprised and amazed to discover what he supposed
was new island near the old one. He describes it
in his report actively erupting large masses OF
heated rock and great volumes of smoke, steam
and ashes from the top and numerous assures the
sides and base, while at night bright reflections OF
interior fires were distinctly visible.
1t not until May II, 1884, that the island had
cooled off sufficiently to permit of landing being
made, and the revenue cutter Corwin had the honor
of landing the first party 1t was then seen that
the new land was connected with the old island by
long narrow, low lying spit Steam and smoke
of the part, and the heat in these intense
that on lowering thermometer made to register
two hundred and sixty degrees Fahrenheit the
mercury expanded sufficiently to burst the bulb
while the solder fastenings of the instrument were
quickly melted.
Three Where There Were Two
A S the steamer Albatross of the United States
= Bureau of Fisheries passing the group in
Nav 1906 the islands were seen to be enveloped in
dense clouds of vapor, while many dead fishes and
marine animals floating the water.
Cautiously approaching within several miles, the
were amazed to discover, when the wind lifted
the cloud of steam at intervals that the group now
consisted of three islands instead of two The new
member nearly round in shape and from quar-
ter to third of mile in diameter, with height
of from five hundred to seven hundred feet.
As if nature had not already done enough for
this marvellous group, vessels passing that way in
1907 were astounded at discovering that a new
body of land had risen from the depths during the
preceding winter or spring and now formed part OF
the island born in 1906, almost doubling its size
Both portions still hot and steaming; but they
will cool sufficiently to form, in the case
of the others, breeding grounds for the multitudes
of birds frequenting tho seas, and another rookery
for the seal and sea hon.
1t is strongly probable that mariners passing in