The Sunda Eruption.

Manawatu Standard, Volume 4, Issue 234, 5 September 1883, Page 3

The Sunda Eruption.

The Brisbane Courier of 25th July gives » graphic account of the Sunda outburst, 'contributed by one of the officers of the &8. Almora, which had just arrived at that port. He says :— "It was on the island ot Kakatora, at thai entrance of the Straits of Sun da, rind one magnificent blaze of flight was proceeding from Us height. Higher and higher the .blase seemed to mount as" we drew closer to its base, while the found had now' become one continuous roar, like hundreds Of blasts from some mighty furnace, and a volume of black invoke extended for mileß from it, like a funereal pile. As we passed through, tome of the fine dust and strong sr.lphurons fumes of the subterranean upheavals got into our eyes, and filled our throats, causing us to keep under the awnings till we passed — glad to leave the island on our lee. We could then admire, its splendid upheaval and listen to its lbighty roar without fear . There teamed to be a strange vibration m the water and ship while we were passing. The flames looked grand, aB leafing high into the heavens with a mighty roar, they 'sent their sulphurous fumes apparently .miles upwards, and then dying out till they seemed expended, would leap up with their renewed force, and fury. This continued till the ship took us farther and farther away, the sonnj^got ..weaker, and the light soon appeared like a lighthouse oh the shore. We passed, about three or four miles from it, and had the wind been blowing from tne southward, I dare say we should have felt some considerable annoya.nce from it As it was it only gave? v** a grand volcanic spectacle that will never be forgotten." \