DISCOVERY OF A VOLCANO IN MID-OCEAN.

Globe, Volume XXIII, Issue 2147, 12 January 1881, Page 3

DISCOVERY OF A VOLCANO IN MID-OCEAN.

Ths " Inter-Ocean's " Washington speoial, writing It'rom Chicago on Ootober sth, says:— Camznauder Huntington, of the United State i steamer Alert, in a report to the Navy Department, says that while on a surveying cruiso in the Pacific, south of Fort Cizio and the Bovin Islands, on approaching the Island of San Alensandro, his attention was called to a strange appearance on the water, apparently ten miles distant. A volume of vapour was rising, an though some vessel was blowing off steam. This was followed by the appearance of breakers, and, while soma of the officers were discussing the probable cause, same thinking that it was the blowing and breaking of a school of whales, the question was definitely settled by the upheaval of an immense black mass. As the ship approaohed the submarine volcano, the blaok masses thrown up were distinguished as mud and ashes. The upheavals were accompanied by dull reports like those from submarine mines, and by an odour of sulphur. Several days were spent in makiing a reconnoisance. Commander Huntington says that he did not think it prudent to approach the volcano in the Alert, but a boat was lowered and pulled within a hundred yards of it. A reef or island is in prooess of formation. Soundings were obtained in from five to twenty-nine fathoms. The water was fall of ashes and mud, and some of this and one specimen of the bottom were brought on board. The volcano bears north 41 degrees west, distant three miles from tha landing place on the south-west end of th.j island. At night flames were noticed issuing from the volcano. The report of Commander Huntington has been referred to Captain DeKraft, in charge of the Hydrographic seotion of the Bureau of Navigation, and a change will be made on the charts.