THE MARTINIQUE CATASTROPHE.

Auckland Star, Volume XXXIII, Issue 112, 13 May 1902, Page 5

THE MARTINIQUE CATASTROPHE.

TERRIBLE DETAILS.

A DEVASTATING MAELSTROM.

THOUSANDS OF CORPSES.

A CITY OF THE DEAD.

I [N.Z. Press Association. —Copyright.]

NEW YORK, May 12

Later news from Martinique states that a sudden fiery flash caused an immense rent in the western side of Mount Pi lee, forming- a new crater. A maelstrom of red-hot mud, travelling like spiral wreaths of vapour with incredible velocity, devastated everything in its path for a distance of five miles between the volcano and St. Pierre. Carrying along trees, rocks and tons of earth the maelstrom instantaneously obliterated the whole of the streets, engulfing the town, and creating a tidal wave, which destroyed eighteen vessels, whose crews were paralysed. Many bodies were mutilated beyond recognition, and 3000 charred corpses, many of them naked, were found on the site of the cathedral. All had been asphyxiated. Some perished while performing their daily avoca+?ons. The wholesale cremation of the bodies will be imperative to* prevent pestilence. Many of the survivors were discovered m the hills, and 450 were rescued. The captain of the Roddam states that he had just anchored in the Bay of St. Pierre, after a terrific thunderstorm at night, when he saw a tremendous cloud of smoke blowing live cinders msh over the town and harbour of St. Pierre, enveloping them in a sheet^bf flame, and scorching ten of the crew of the steamer to death, and coveringl the deck six inches deep with hoc ashes. He slipped the anchor himself and steered out to sea, though badly burnt. Five thousand people took refuge in the hilla around Lebarbet and Leprecheur. They have provisions, and are being gi'adually rfcmoved to places of safety. The French Government, the British authorities, and the residents of the West Indies and the City of New Orleans have sent provisions and money idief. No biuldings have been left standing- alon,-; the coast from Lebarbet to Leprecheur. The roads are impassable, being blocked with mounds of debris and heaps of dead. The Governor at Martinique, the British ( onsul (Mr. James Japp),and the American Consul (Colonel Wire) were aming those who perished. Stones of the size of walnuts and j hot mud fell -°t Fort de France, the | capital of. Martinique. Despite the engulfing of the Guexin factory the Governor of Martinique, it is said, issued a report before the final disaster reassuring the residents q£ St. Pierre, who were overwhelmed mext day. |J Twelve of the English aboard the steamer Roraima were rescued. Landing parties found that the | fires were still burning at St. Pierre, but they were gradually dying- out. The whole place is a heap of ruins, and there is no one alive in ihe town. PARIS, May 12. Sir E. Monson, the British Ambassador, expressed to President Loubet King Edward's profound sympathy regarding the disaster.