THE VOLCANIC TRAGEDY

New Zealand Herald, Volume L, Issue 15489, 22 December 1913, Page 7

THE VOLCANIC TRAGEDY

FIVE HUNDRED MISSING. TERRIBLE DEVASTATION. FIRE FROM FIVE CRATERS. HARROWING SCENES. TEX MILES OF DUST. By Telegraph-Press Association-Copyright. Sydney, December 20. A vivid description of the recent volcanic eruption on Ambryn Island, in the New Hebrides, is given by the passengers by the steamer Pacifique. The outbreak was not unexpected, excepting in degree. The volcano at Mount Marum, in the centre of the island, had been in eruption for some weeks. On the. morning of December 5, however, it was discovered that five new craters had opened in the range of mountains. The subterranean rumblings became more ominous, and at limes tremendous explosions shook the earth. The whole island was trembling and plunging like a frightened horse, and the natives, who had hitherto regarded the volcanoes with complacency, took fright and fled panic-stricken to the coast. Entering their canoes, they took refuge in other islands. At night-time the (lames shot a thousand feet into the air, illuminating the whole sceno of destruction. Streams of lava rushed down the slopes, and the ocean in the vicinity was heated to boilingpoint. Huge boulders Wo thrown from the volcanoes and plunged into the water, while the air was filled with dust reaching a distance of ten miles from the sceno of the outbreak. Whole Coast Line Transformed. Six white people on the island, including Dr. Bowie, took refuge in a launch, and the patients at the Bowio Hospital were also removed aboard. Hardly had the launch left the landing-stage when a lava stream reached and destroyed the hospital, mission station, and a number of residences. The launch proceeded to Port Sandwich, on an adjoining island, and reported the catastrophe.

The steamer La France and Dr. Bowie's launch immediately returned to the scene, touching at various points on the island. They picked up panic-stricken natives. Altogether three trips were made, and over 600 people, all that could be found, were rescued. The population of Ambryn Island is stated at about 1100, therefore it is supposed that some 500 are missing, though an accurate estimate is impossible. Village Overwhelmed. A great black cloud spread over the new craters, making darkness that could almost be felt. The upheavals were so severe that the entire coast between Olai and Sessivi was devastated and transformed. Dip Point and Craig's Cove were annihilated, and at what was previously the anchorage at Dip Point a new peninsula one and a-half miles in length was formed, with a submarine volcano at its extremity. One village was surrounded by lava, and the residents were unable to escape, 50 or 60 perishing in view of the watchers. Many other harrowing instances 'of destruction are recorded. The Pacifique was at Apia at the time of the outbreak, and hurried to Port Sandwich. " Whilst skirting the coast of Anibrym to pick up other possible refugees the vessel had a trying experience. Redhot boulders fell round her, and navigation was difficult owing to the trees which had fallen from the cliffs and which were floating in the sea. The sea was also strewn with great quantities of dead fish and turtles. Tidal Waves Follow Eruptions. The island itself, formerly one of the beauty spots of the Pacific, presented a desolate appearance. Streams of lava and dust had wiped out all the beautiful vegetation and destroyed the buildings. Fissures everywhere were expelling 6moke and sulphurous vapours. Every large eruption of the craters was followed by a tidal wave, though of no great size, while the force of the explosions caused the steamer to quiver like an aspen leaf. At Ranon Bay, 10 miles from the outbreak, the" dust was so thick that it broke down palm trees. The intense heat dried all the water, and cattle are dying. There were over 40 patients at Dr. Bowie's hospital, and their rescue was a .perilous proceeding, with lava streams running on each side and the volcano belching fire behind. They were carried on stretchers to a launch, and eventually . the rescuers, including the wives of Drs. Bowie and Bailoy and an assistant, had to run for their lives, as the fire caught the buildings. J