THE VESUVIUS OUTBREAK.

Otago Witness, Issue 2722, 16 May 1906, Page 24

THE VESUVIUS OUTBREAK.

SOME INTERESTING DETAILS

FREMANTLE, May 11

Files by the Ortona give an interesting account of the earlier stages of the Vesuvius outbreak. At one period of the eruption enormous quantities of salt blanched the country for miles around the mountain. This was followed by an eruption of sulphur, -which painted the country yellow. From the crater poured immense columns of smoke, and red-hot stones and debris were hurled high in the air. It was a magnificent spectacle. When the lava stream invaded the towns and villages there was a wild panic, the people jushing through the streets, shrieking with terror.

Soldiers under the command of the Duke D'Aosta did magnificent work. In the earlier stages they were employed in trying to dam the streaming lava from invading the centres of population. They visited all the houses and helped the inhabitants to escape. They removed the sick, went to unearth the dead where houses were tottering, comforted the dying, and buried the dead.

Terrible scenes were witnessed at Ottajamo and other places nearest the volcano, which overwhelmed them with lava and debris. The position of the bodies re covered showed they had suffered great fear before death, the faces retaining a look of terror.

Throughout the week Naples appeared a grey city and the inhabitants like grey ghosts. There was a perpetual rain of warm ashes and sand, covering the streets to a depth of two or three feet. The people went about Naples wearing masks. Owing to the weight of debris on the roof, the great central market collapsed when business was in full swing. A scene of wild consternation followed. It is estimated that 200 people were buried in the ruins. But for the premonitory cracking of the beams enabling some to rush out, the death roll would have been much larger.

Crowds of women and childien sought sanctuary in the vaiious churches, in some places teaiing down the doors to gain admission. In their religious fervour the women took the images from tlie churches and carried them about the surrounding country, chanting hymns and prayers until obliged to retreat by the advancing lava. At San Guiseppe the roof of the church fell, burying a great number of women and old people. The last accounts stated that there were 110 dead bodies. Many of the injured were extricated. It is believed that altogether 200 were buried in the ruins. King Victor and the Queen had a splendid reception visiting the afflicted districts. No satisfactory explanation of the caufee of the eruption is forthcoming.