The Volcanic Eruptions.

Manawatu Herald, 27 May 1902, Page 2

The Volcanic Eruptions.

Mont Pelee on Tuesday ejected a column of volcanic matter, and rained red-hot boulders on the ruins of St. Pierre and the neighbourhood. The sun lit the volcanic clouds above Port De Prance till they resembled molten metal, forming appalling and sublime sights. Stones and ashes fell in the town. . A wave entered the bay and broke ships from their moorings. Some of the people fled to the bills ; others later on took refuge on board the warships. v ... The sea invaded and partly destroyed the coastal town of LeOarbet. A cyclone of fire simultaneously descended on the town. Two hundred and forty persons were conveyed from that place, and the adjacent villages, to Port de France. Fire and smoke appeared on the peak on the islet Diamond Rook, south-west of Martinique. _ Continuous sharp shocks oooilMW in Florida, fifteen hundred miles north-west of Martinique, on Tuesday. French papers report rumblings in an extinct crater south of Autut. The population of Martinique is clamouring to be removed from the island. M. Deccais, Minister of the Colonies, has made inquiries of the Acting-Governor as to the expediency of a partial or entice evacuation. The transport service is being organised. ALARM AT MARTINIQUE. M. Chanoele, a French official, ascended Mont Pelee, a distance of 1288 metres (about 4045 ft) oa Friday. Hefound a orater SOO metres (984 ft) in diameter. The peak of Momc La Croix was undermined, and the whole aspect was terrifying. Although the town of Fort de Franca is not threatened now, the panio among the inhabitants continues. A number of" persons became insane and threw themselves into the sea, dreading fresh cataclysms. The inhabitants .of the town of Grande Riviere are still isolated, and it is Impossible to aid them. Mont Pelee, is vomiting yellow rushing whirlwinds of smoke and gas. The pulverisation of the basalt towers 0! the Cathedral of St. Pierre and the overthrow of houses indicate that a blast of blazing gas of incalculable force accompanied the erup : tions. A thousand people have quitted Martinique. Thousands have gone to the extreme south of the island.