Omaha daily bee. (Omaha [Neb.]) 187?-1922, 1912-06-10
MOUNT KATMAI MOST VIOLENT
Country Covered Three Feet Deep
with Ashes from Crater.
EXPLOSIONS HEARD
Instruments at Washington Record
Tremendous Struggles.
STEAMSHIP Is FORCED BACK
Natives Have No Traditions of Amy
Former Activity of Katmai-
Change I'm Climate Re.
Gently Occurs.

VALDEZ, Alaska, June 9.--The mail
steamship Dora, plying to points along
the Alaskan peninsula and Kodiak
island reports that Mount Katmai's out
break is terrible in its violence. Deafen-
ing explosions occur at short intervals
and the surrounding country Is covered
with three to four feet of ashes.
The wave indications In Shelikof strait
were such as to lead the Dora's master
to fear that there had been general
lifting Of the ocean bottom near shore.
For this reason, as we'll as because of
the smoke and ashes. the Dora did not
dare to approach Kodiak.
Katmai has always been regarded as
extinct. The natives have no tradition
CT any former activity of the mountain.
SlTKA, Alaska, June S--Ashes from
the Aleutlan volcano at Sitka began 10
fall today. The sun shines discolored
through the cinders. Sltka Is 100 miles
In direct line from the volcanoes.
Four Craters Active.
SEATTLE, June 9.-Four slumhering
volcanoes in the Aleutian mountain range
of Alaska suddenly have come to life
and are throwing out great quantities of
smoke and hot ashes. The awakened
peaks are Ilimna, St. Augustine and
Redoubt, In the Cook inlet country and
Katmai. which overlooks Shelikof strait
II is likely that Bogoslof, Shlshaldin and
Pavloff, which are active volcanoes, and
much farther west are also spouting
! lanes.
Including Indians, 1t Is estimated that
100 persons are in peril. It is the height
the salmon canning season and large
ews of men are engaged In fishing and
I aiming.
Dispatches from the north say the vol
the discharge from the Alaska craters
usually Is only ashes and smoke and it
| is hoped there will be no loss Of life
Apparently Kodiak and its neighboring
ISLANDS have been covered. by ashes.
since the rising of climate In Alaska
sheep and hogs have been able to feed
| outdoors on Kodiak island throughout
the year. The volcanic ashes, II 1t fell on
| the island as deep as they did on the
decks Of the steamship Dora, must have
destroyed the grass, which, however, will
grow again on the ashes.
Mount Ilimna Is more than 100 feet
high and the red sky above its blazing
crater is visible seaward for 100 miles
distant.
The efforts of the mountains to clear
the debris from their clogged craters
t.t~
In Washington, .. c.. and in Seattle.
After the chimneys were opened the
needles in the observatories were no
longer agitated.
Loud Reports Caused.
The struggles of the volcanoes to break
their fetters caused reports like the firing
of cannon. In Cordova, Alaska, the re-
ports were so distinct that 1t was thought
vessel In distress was firing signals
or that a fleet of warships was engaged
In target practice at sea. Speculation as
to the cause Of the detonations was set
at rest when a shower of volcanic ashes
from the northward began to descend
upon Cordova. The explosions were
heard even more clearly in Seward, which
is nearer to the volcanoes.
The cable dispatches received tonight
report the situation serious.
st. Augustine, Ilimna and Redoubt. in
eruption on the west shore of Cook inlet,
will do small damage as their ashes do
not cover Indian towns. As soon as 1t
Is possible to operate wireless instruments
the revenue cutters will be asked to go
to the relief OF the people in the volcano
districts.
1t is expected that the whole of the
waters along the Alaska peninsula and
the Aleutian islands will require a new
survey because of readjustment OF the
ocean floor.