DECAPITATED.

Dominion, Volume 4, Issue 1075, 14 March 1911, Page 5

DECAPITATED.

CRATER OF VESUVIUS ALTERED HUGE SUBSIDENCE. Sy Tclecraoli-'Press Aseoclalion-Oopyrlsht (Rcc. March' 13, 11.30 p.m.) '• Rome, March 13. The crust around tho crater of Vesuvius, 300 yards in length and 24 feet in thickness, subsided, causing shocks and runlbling noises. The upper station of the Funicular railway was damaged, and an imposing canopy of ashes overhangs the mountain. The crater.seems lower, and Vesuvius looks as if it has been decapitated. THE RAILWAY AND CRATER. The crater of Vesuvius is a majestic sight. It is over one-third of a mile in diameter. The activity of Vesuvius in recent years has since been shown by tho emission of scoriae from the central crater and by minor outbreaks of lava from tho ash-cone, and in April, 1906, by a most serious and alarming eruption. On April 4 tho upper part ot the ash-cono collapsed, and oii 4th, sth and 6th streams of lava were poured forth on the southeast side of the mountain ■ from a height of 2500 and 1900 feet. During the night of the 7th the blunted summit-crater hurled forth enormous masses of broken stones north-east towards Ottaiano and San Guiseupe, while on the south side tho lava stream, in increased volume, poured through Boscotrecase, • annihilating part of tho village, and down to Torre Annunziata. On the following days the crater continued tp shower forth volumes of ashes, which covered the villages on the north and east slopes to a depth, at places, of 4 to 5 feet, while blinding dust and smoke extended to Naples itself. The railway ascends the mountain through vineyards and luxuriant gardens, nnd then across the lava stream. It next ascends by rack-and-p,iniort through a fertile region and chestnut wood to the slope of the Colle Ca'iiteroni, on which stand tho Chapel of San Salvatore and tho Royal Observatory. The line then goes over dreary fields of lava to the' present terminus, the last stage of the lino and the cable tram to the top having been destroyed by the eruption of 190 G. From the terminus a good bridle path ascends to the brink of tho crater.