VOLCANIC ISLAND.

Patea Mail, 8 January 1881, Page 4

VOLCANIC ISLAND.

A new island has been formed in the Pacific by volcanic upheaval witnessed by Commander Huntington, of the United States steamer Alert while on a surveying cruise south ot Forsizio and the Bovin Islands. He says that on approaching the island of Alessandrio, his attention was called to a strange appearance on the water, apparently ten miles distant. A volume ofvvaporu r was rising as though some vessel was blowing off steam. This was followed by an appearance of breakers, and while some of the officers were discussing the probable cause, some thinking it was the blowing and breaching of a school of whales, the question was definitely settled by the upheaval of an immense black mass. As the ship approached the submarine volcano the black 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 making the rcconnoissance. Commander Huntington says he did not think it prudent to approach the volcano in the Alert, but a boat was lowered and pulled within 100 yards of it. A reef or island is in process of formation. Soundings were obtained in from 5 to 29 fathoms. The water was full of ashes and mud, and some of this and one specimen of the bottom were brought on board. The volcano bears north, 44

degrees west, distant three miles from the landing-place on the south-west end of the island. At night flames were noticed issuing from the volcano'