Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1911-11-25
Interesting Phenomenon.

the islands birth, but there is much that
is interesting about the phenomenon that
is known only to those residents of points
along the Trinidad coast who either wit
messed the occurrence or cautiously Wis
tied the new land before IT had had time
to cool.
Dr. Fredholm. a resident of Trinidad
says that the island was probably thrust
up by the pressure of gas originating
matter found in connection with asphalt
deposits for which Trinidad Is famous
He predicts that a flow of asphalt may
follow and an asphalt lake may make its
appearance on the island.
IF no flow of asphalt follows. how
ever" he says, 'the only result of the
upheaval will be mud volcano, SO com
mon along the southern shore. Such q
volcano on a bank raised but slight,
above the sea level would probably mo-
remain above the surface very long, fol
the debris would soon be washed ava.
and the vents, once below water. would
become choked by sedimentary deposits
1t would therefore not be surprising i
the new island dropped into the sea agar
as quickly as 1t emerged.
Residents Greatly Terrified.
Residents of the little settlements Of
Erin and Chatham, On the southern coast
of Trinidad, were greatly terrified wher
the island appeared, and many of them
fed from their homes. dragging their be-
longings into the bush. Others knelt In
prayer in the streets or rushed to the
churches.
Great fear was in the minds of all, as
memories Of Martinique were awakened
A fisherman, at midday Saturday, No
vember 4. first noticed signs Of disturb
ance in the sea. The water was dirty and
murky. but no land was then in sight.
But about o'clock that evening the
people of Erin and other points nearby
were startled to see a great column OF
fire shoot up from the bosom of the
water. Dense smoke followed the flame,
and there were further intermittent
flashes of fire, accompanied by a rum
bling as OF thunder. When the smoke
cleared away it was seen that new
island had been created. Flames scontin-
ued to flicker over the surface of the
geographical visitor throughout the
night, but on the following morning they
had subsidized, and the governor and
party set out in a boat to claim the new
land for King George. They neared the
island with extreme care in the face OF
choppy sea and head wind, A landing
was effected with difficulty. and 1t was
quickly ascertained that the surface OF
and boiling hot underneath. This made
walking difficult and dangerous, and
boards were used for a footing,
Two Craters on Island.
They found two craters on the island.
Ave or six feet in diameter. although the
highest part of the entire stretch was not
more than twelve or fifteen feet above
the surface of the sea. Gas was escap-
ing from the craters and the air was sat
urated with the smell of sulphur and
oil. Rocks were imbedded in the honey
comb surface Of the island, and as many
of them contained marked traces of iron
pyrites, the theory was advanced thai
these rocks. striking together, had caused
the flashes of fire. The fossilized re-
mains Of several strange marine ami
mails were found in the mud, but other
wise no signs of sea life were visible
AS the island Is yet unrecorded or
marine charts, 1t is a menace to naviga.
aion, and the harbormaster at Trinidad
has sent out notice warning all mar
iners that this part of the south coast
should be approached and navigated with
great care until such time as a detailed
examination has been made Of the island
and soundings taken in the vicinity.
1t is a tradition in Trinidad that 8
1ourishing settlement of Indians once
existed at La Brea, on the north coas,
of that point of the island which juts
destroyed by the sudden appearance OF
the now famous Pitch lake there. 1t /,
related that loud explosions were heard
by Indians in other parts Of the island
and that on investigating the cause they
found the camp of their brothers at La
Brea destroyed and in its place the
strange sight Of lake of pitch.