THE SANDWICH ISLANDS.

Nelson Evening Mail, Volume III, Issue 147, 24 June 1868, Page 2

THE SANDWICH ISLANDS.

ban h ranctseo,May 7. The barque Comet, from the Saudwich Islands, brings accounts of a terrible volcanic eruption by Mauna Loa, which began its demonstration on March 27. On the 28th, one hundred earthquake shocks were felt, and during two weeks following, to April 13, two thousand earthquake shocks occurred. At Waischina the earth opened in many places, and a tidal wave, 60 feet high, rose over the tops of the cocoa trees for a quarter of a mile inland, sweeping human beings, houses, and everything moveable before it. A terrible shock prostrated churches and houses and killed mauy persons. In all 100 lives were lost, besides 1000 horses and cattle. The craters voraitted fire, rocks, and lava, and a river of red-hot lava five or six miles long flowed to the sea at the rate of 10 miles to the hour, destroying everything before it, and forming an island

in the sea. A new crater, two miles wide, opened and threw rocks and streams of fire a thousand feet high. Streams of lava rolled to the sea. At one time the illumination extended 50 miles at night. The lava has pushed out a mile from the shore. At Waischina, three miles from the shore, a conical island rose suddenly, emitting a column of steam and smoke, while the Kono packet was passing, spattering mud on the vessel. The greatest shock occurred April 2. Prior to the eruption there was a great shower of ashes and pumice. During the great shock the swinging motion of the earth was dreadful, so that no person could stand. In the midst of this tremendous shopk an eruption of red earth poured down the mountain, rushing across the plain three miles iv three minutes, and then ceased. Then came the great wave, and then streams of lava. The villages on the shore were all destroyed by this wave. The earth opened under the sea and reddened the water. The earth eruption swallowed 30 persons, and the sea many more. Great suffering aud terror prevailed in the district, and the whole region was affected. The sloop Live Yankee has been dispatched with provisions, &c, to rescue and relieve.