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The Martinique Disaster.

BURIED ST. PIERRE. The survivors of the Jst. Pierre disaster who have reached Roraima, in Dominica, state that accompanying the eruption, which seemed to come from a new crater, was a seismic wave which overwhelmed the shipping. The commander of the French warship Sachet reports that a whirlwind was followed liy fire and the whole town of St. Pierre was instantly in flames, and ships were dismasted and burned. The shower of rocks from the volcano lasted a quarter of an hour. On arriving at St Pierre at a in the afternoon of Thursday, the captain oi the Suchet was unable to penetrate into the town. , He saw no living creature, but numerous dead bodies on the quay. The cable ship Payer Quertier has brought four hundred and fifty persons from St Pierre to Fort De France. Other steamers are searching for survivors. Hot mud and cinders _ continue falling throughout Martinique, and have already killed and injured many. The Suchet, on returning to Guadeloupe with provisions, repassed St. Pierre on Saturday. The fire in the town continued, and the volcano was still emitting ashes. Negroes were flocking to Fort De France, demanding food, which the military were guarding. DISTURBANCES AT ST. VINCENT. Two craters are emptying from La Soufrier, the volcano in the island of St Vincent, covering the northern districts with lava and ashes. It is impossible to approach the northern shore of the island owing to the intense heat and steam. Two hundred persons are known to have been killed on the island. Heavy ashes fell on a steamer two hundred and fifty miles from the island. Forked lightning is incessant over the disturbed section. The captain of the steamer Roddan, which escaped from St Pierre, states that he had just anchored after a terrific thunderstorm at night, when he saw a tremendous cloud of smoke, blowing live cinders with it, rush over the town of St Pierre, enveloping everything in a sheet of flame, which scorched to death ten of the crew of the steamer. The deck was covered to a depth of six inches with burning ashes* 1 The captain, although badly burnt, slipped anchor himself, and steered out to sea. Five thousand people took refuge on the hills round Larbet and Le Prochenr. They have provisions, and are gradually being removed to places of safety. A WHOLE POPULATION EXTERMINATED. Despite the engulfling of the Guerin' factory, the Governor of Martinique issued a report reasssuring the, residents of Pierre, who were overwhelmed next day. ‘ , , ,' Twelve English aboard the steamer Roraima were rescued. The landing parties found the fires still burning in St Pierre, but gradually dying out. The whole place was a heap of ruins. No one was alive in the town, and the bodies were mutilated beyond recognition. Three thousand charred corpses, Imany of them naked, were found on the site of the Cathedral. All had been asphyxiated, some while performing their daily avocations. Wholesale cremation of bodies will be imperative in order to prevent pestilence. Many survivors were discovered on the hills. Four hundred and fifty were rescued. Great streams of lava from the Soutriere separate the northern and southern parts of St. Vincent. _ The bays are converted into steaming pits, A huge hill has replaced a valley. Sixty persons were killed by lightning;-* Many refugees who were escaping along the coast in boats died of thirstThe French Government and the British authorities and residents in the

West Indies and the city of New Orleans have sent provisions and money for the relief of the sufferers. A sudden fiery flash caused an immense rent in the western side of Mount Pelee, forming a new crater. A maelstrom of red-hot mud, travelling like spiral wreaths of vapour, with incredible velocity, devasted everything in its path for a distance of five miles between the volcano and St. Pierre, carrying along trees, rocks and tons of earth. It instantaneously obliterated whole streets, engulfiing the town, and creating a tidal wave, which destroyed eighteen vessels. The crews were paralysed. No buildings were left standing on the coast from Le Carbet to Le Precheur. The roads are impassable, being blocked with mounds of debris and heaps of dead. The Governor of Martinique, the British Consul (Mr James Japp) and the American Consul (Colonel Wire) were amongst those who perished. Stones the size of walnuts, and hot mud fell at Fort De France. The British cruiser Pallas, from Jamaica, has been sent to St. Vincent to render assistance. Clouds of ashes obscure the sky for a hundred and fifty miles around Mounts Soufriere and Pelee. Sir E. Monsou, the British Ambassador, has expressed to President Loubet King Edward’s profound sympathy in the disaster. CONTINUED DARKNESS. A terrific thunderstorm is raging round Mont Pelee, Martinique. The ejection of lava continues. - The overflowing of rivers, caused by the debris blocking the channels, has submerged much of the northern districts of the island. New craters are opening in many directions. Almost total darkness continues. THE OUTBREAK AT ST. VINCENT. It is officially estimated that five hundred persons have perished through the volcanic eruption in St. Vincent. The damage is confined to the northern districts of the island. The Soufriere mountain shot columns of vapour eight miles high, and poured out six streams of lava, keeping up a continuous roar for two days, accompanied by a black rain of dust and scoria. Several districts were covered with fiery matter and dust to a depth of two feet. People from the country districts, with their live stock, are flocking into the towns. HELP FOR THE SURVIVORS. King Edward has sent a thousand pounds and the Kaiser ten thousand marks (£488) for the relief of the sufferers at Martinique. The American Admiralty is sending provisions and warships to assist. Congress has voted two hundred thousand dollars (£40,000). Large private subscriptions are also announced. i

Permanent link to this item
Hononga pūmau ki tēnei tūemi

https://paperspast.natlib.govt.nz/newspapers/MH19020515.2.9

Bibliographic details
Ngā taipitopito pukapuka

Manawatu Herald, 15 May 1902, Page 2

Word count
Tapeke kupu
981

The Martinique Disaster. Manawatu Herald, 15 May 1902, Page 2

The Martinique Disaster. Manawatu Herald, 15 May 1902, Page 2

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