WONDERS OF THE OCEAN

Hokitika Guardian, 19 September 1923, Page 3

WONDERS OF THE OCEAN

FIT! EAYALS ON SEA BOTTOAI. WELLINGTON. Sep. 17. Aprof' v- the re out cart liqmikc diMislor in Yokohama. Captain A. 11. Davey. master of tlie island steamer Tolua. made some interesting remarks regarding volcanic disturbances iu the South Baeilic. Speaking to a “Times” •vnorter yesterday, Captain Davey said that voi(anic upheavals were fairly common in the South Baeilic waters, and islands had been known to appear and disappear almost in a night. He referred to Ealklnud Island, which was now kliown as the Falkland Shoal, on account of its subsidence from an island to a shoal.

On a recent trip of the Tolua, when twenty miles, wesi-north-wesl ol Nukualofa. iu the Friendly Islands, he sighted what appeared to he the smoke of a vessel on the horizon. and on steaming closer, he observed steam rising to a height of about 20(1 fetl, from the sea. There was a patch of opaque coloured water about half a mile across, and on sailing past, he noticed a dark patch in a corner from which ilm steam was rising while the water bubbled as though with terrific heat.

“ 1 was deeply interested. In* said “ fm* on a previous trip about lour tears ago. I sighted a similar distill kanre. which was evidently ol a volcanic origin, for the water was all muddy and gave indications of an upheaval on the sea bottom.” Since the last disturbance noted by Captain Davey. soundings have been taken over the spot where the upheaval took place, and a depth of 2, fathoms was shown. The Friendlv Islands are noted lor their earthquake activity, as many as ten and eleven being nt irequent daily occurrence. There is an old island legend which tells of the ground once opening and * wallow-jug the inhabitants of mm of the islands, hut ol recent years there have been no serious disturbances.