SULPHUR ISLAND

Evening Post, Volume CXII, Issue 117, 13 November 1926, Page 20

SULPHUR ISLAND

OFF THE SHOEES OF NEW ZEALAND.

No pleasant island of the Pacific is White Island, which is comparable with no other among the very numerous and very diverse possessions of the British Empire. They who work occasionally there call it by another name—that applied to the Satanic regions, for such the island is to the quarry crews. White or Sulphur Island, lying some 40 miles off the shore of the Bay of Plenty, North Island, New Zealand, is neither more nor less than a vast chemical works of Nature —a place 'where human precautions against sudden death are almost impossible (says "Chamber's Journal")- I* is the

summit of a submarine mountain, and 'about three miles in circumference, standing up precipitously from the water to 800 feet or more. Immense deposits of very pure gypsum and sulphur form the interior, and in the centre there lies the most remarkable lake —a lake that is a gigantic receiver, as it were; for its dark green waters contain an excessively high percentage of hydrochloric and sulphuric, acids," hissing and bubbling at but a few degrees below boiling point. Along the side of tke lake are the blowholes. Clouds of sulphuric and other fumes mount incessantly from them, and form overhead a thick cap of white vapour, often rising to 15,000 feet, and giving the island its geographical name. When, however, a gale comes down the smell of the acids can be felt some 70 miles away. Only when the winds set in steadily between November and March, and carry the fumes to leeward, is the island fit for human beings, and it is then the gypsum and the sulphur are dug out with some degree of safety to the workers. Yet there is always danger from the craters. The sea water on the ocean bed forced by the tremendous pressure, filters through the imperfect strata, and explosions are caused the sounds of which are heard many miles distant. Tho lake alongside the blowholes is 60 acres in extent, 15 feet in average depth, and 12 above the level of the sell, and is surrounded by irregular cliffs and towering rocks. Dangerous though it is, scientists have voutured to launch small craft, specially brought ashore, upon its corrosive water, in order to examine it and the craters thoroughly. One expedition was carried out successfully, notwithstanding the fumes arising from the hot, seething water. Another party of two attempted a similar undertaking with a skiff. But the craft struck a snag of rock and capsized, and the unfortunate occupants did not struggle for more than a few seconds in tho vast cauldron of hot acids. White or Sulphur Island is tho "horridest" place on earth, and one of tUo richest also. A New Zealand firm is now intending to exploit its chemical products. .