FEARS FOR MEN'S SAFETY.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LI, Issue 15719, 21 September 1914, Page 5

FEARS FOR MEN'S SAFETY.

SUDDENLY OVERWHELMED.

thermal vent blocked.

REVIEW OF THE SITUATION.

Grave fears as to the safety of the men who were on the island aro entertained by Mr. Willoughby, the managing director of the Sulphur Company, in view of the particulars to hand last night. At the outset he was inclined to think that the party of 10 men might have received warning of what was about to happen in time to put to sea in tho surf-boats, which were capable of holding many more men than -were on the island. The result of the search-party's visit to '.he island) however, and the fact that trio eruption seems to have taken place some 10 days ago have tended to alter his opinion.

Interviewed last night Mr. Willoughbv said ho was inclined to fear that the disaster had happened at. night, in which case the employees would have been taken unawares. Had it occurred in the daytime the men would not then have been working in a dangeious part of tho island but in absolutely quiescent- ground on the flat. Discussing the probable cause of the J disastrous upheaval, Mr. Willoughbv said that a blowhole was situated at the base of tho north-eastern cliff. This had always sl'O'vn thermal severity, which of late had been rather more pronounced than usual, though not to an alarming degree. In his opinion the activity from this blowhole had passed in beneath the cliff, which, was ICOOft high, and caused a huge landslide. The side of the hill had, he concluded, been thus precipitated down over the blowhole vert causing the thermal activity to be forced to reek an outlet elsewhere, a terrific explosion of eruption following. There were a number of other blowholes on the island, from some of which small flames had been seen issuing at times. No flames on a large scale had ever been seen, however. The camp was situated about. 300 or 400 yards from the lake, or about half a. mile from the north-eastern cliff, which has been thrown down.

The fact that the pilot could not obtain, any reply to his signals last Tuesday did not impress Mr. Willotighby as noes■sartly implying that the disaster had happened pr:or to that visit, although that might havo been the case, seeing that Mokomoko had not been there previously for a week. It might easily occur none the lets that signals would not be observed from the island, especially in the dark.

As to the difficulty of landing at the island, Mr. Willoughby explained that there is a big swell there which might come up suddenly and prevent anyone on the island from getting off again and make a landing prohibitive, possibly for weeks at a time. In rough weather, therefore, the island was isolated. Recently the Union Steam Ship Company's Rosamond laid moorings at the island for the Sulphur Company with the view of enabling steamers to call at the island regularly, there being no anchorage. Tho only other communication with the mainland was by launch or steamer to Opotiki, Whakat-ane being 36 miles away and Tauranga 56 miles. A proposal to instal a wireless station had not been entertained by the Government.

The island was not considered to be dangerous, Mr. Willoughby stated. Men who had worked there were always eager to go back again. Apparently there had been three active craters on the island at one time, one at Troup Head, long extinct, another on the opposite hill, and the third in the centre of the island, on the north-western side of the sulphur lake. From tho latter there were constant emissions of steam and smoke. Hence the -smoke seen by residents of Whakatane was not an unusual sight.

CHANGE AT ISLAND NOTED.

NEW BLOWOUT NEAR CAMP.

A change in the conformation of White Island was noted by Captain Dryden, of the Union Company's steamer Rosamond, who passed it in his vessel on.Friday night on the way to Auckland. Seen la&t night Captain Dryden said he passed about 20 miles from the island, and observing it he ■was struck with the idea that there seemed to be a new blowouf?in the vicinity of the camp. Furthermore the smoke usually ascending from the centre of the island appeared ,to hia to be coming more from the south-eastern end.

Tho Rosamond has not called at the island for'about three months. Prior to tha.t she was engaged in the laying of the new moorings, and was there every week for a month or so. The steamer is to leave for Gisborne this afternoon, and will probably call in at White Island on her way.

CONFIRMATORY MESSAGES.

" HALF HILLSIDE FALLEN."

A Press Association message from Wellington on Saturday night stated that a volcanic eruption on White Island had been reported. The message stated that half a hillside bad fallen into the craterand that it was believed that 10 or 11 men, employed by the Sulphur Company, had been buried in the debris.

Tho same message came to hand from the Press Association's agent at Christchurch, who stated that it bad been received by tho Postmaster-General, the Hon. R. Heaton Rhoc'es, from the Secretary of the Post Office., who had in turn been advised of the disaster by the postmaster at Opotiki.

NOTHING SEEN FROM SHIPS.

REPORTS BY OFFICERS,

It was ascertained by inquiries on board several steamers which arrived at Auckland during Saturday and yesterday* from Southern and Bay of Plenty ports that nothing was seen of any of the men from White Island. The Northern Company's steamer Ngatiawa, bound from Opotiki to Auckland, passed tho island at 5.30 p.m on Friday, about 30 miles distant. Those on board noticed that the island was more active than usual, dense clouds of steam floating skywards in the clear evening Northing was seen of any boats or other signs of life. The Rosamond, bound from Napier to Auckland, was abreast of the island at 7 p.m. on Friday, but nothing unusual was seen by those on board. The Rosamond passed the island about seven or eight miles distant, but, although a sharp lookout was kept, no distress signals were seen.

The Mokoia, on her way from Southern ports, passed White Island at .3 a .m yesterday. Captain Drewette reported that tho night was fine and clear, but nothing was seen of any boats, 1 The officer of the watch saw a light ih the vicinity o£ the island, but it was not a distress signal. The Mokoia passed the island at a distance of about twenty-six miles.

At 3.25 a.m. the Warrimoo, bound South, was passed, the ship's identity being made known by means of the Morse lamp. Captain Drewette stated that had the Warrimoo noticed any distress signals, or sighted any boats, her captain would have informed the Mokoia'a oflicers.