West Indies Eruptions.

Colonist, Volume XLV, Issue 10415, 22 May 1902, Page 3

West Indies Eruptions.

Fresh Eruptions at MartiniqueWarships Endangered. New York, May 20. Violent detonations surpassing those of the Bth instant were heart at St. Thomas's early to-day, fron the direction of Martinique. Clouds of ashes obscure Port d< Prance, in Martinique, like a thick fog. Eeceived May 22, 12.50 a.m. A cinder cloud from Mount Pelee swep with terrible velocity over Fort de France dropping stones the size of hazel nuts Many of tho residents took refuge on boarc ships, but the excitement gradually snb sided. Received May 21, 10.45 p.m. New York, May 21. The American warship Potomac landed a party at St. Pierre (Marti nique), who recovered the U.S.A. Consul's body, but Mont Pelee sud denly poured forth a mass of lavs into the sea, accompanied by terrific detonation and thunder. The landing party hurriedly escaped. The British cruiser IndefatigibU likewise put to sea. Heavy rain caused the Busseg Point river, Martinique, to overflow, auc* twenty houses were demolished, and fifty damaged, St. Vincent. A new township has been established at St. Vincent. Fifty thousand pounds sterling is required to suppoyt the sufferers for half a year, and rehouse them in fresh localities. The Lord Mayor of London has cabled .a further fifteen thousand pounds. The suffering wounded include many whose burns are of a terrible nature, and sixty deaths have occurred in the hospital.