THE SUNDA ERUPTION.

Temuka Leader, Issue 1150, 18 September 1883, Page 3

THE SUNDA ERUPTION.

The Brisbane Courier of 25th July gives a graphic account of the Sunda outburst, contributed by one of the officers of the s.s,!. Alniora, which had just arrived at that port. He says :—‘lt was on the islard of Kakatora, at the entrance of the Straits of Sunda, and one magnificent blaze of light was proceeding from its. height. Higher and higher the blaze seemed to mount as we drew closer to its base, while the sound had' now become dne continual roar, like hundreds of blasts from some micrhty furnace, and a volume of black smoke extended for miles from it, like a funeral pile. As we passed through, some of the fine dust and strong sulphurous fumes of the subterranean upheavals got into our eyes, and filled our throats,’causing us to keep under the awnings till wo passed—glad to leave this island on our lee. We could then admire its splendid upheavals and

listen to its 'mighty roar, without fear. Th'erje seemed to be a strange vibration in water and ship while we were passing. The flames looked grand, as leaping high into the heavens with a mighty roar they sent their sulphurous fun.es apparently miles upward, and then dying out till they seemed expended would leap up with renewed force and fury. This continued till the ship took us farther and farther away, the sound got weaker, and the light appeared like a lighthouse on the shore. We passed about three or four miles from it, and had the wind been blowing from the southward, I dare say We should have felt some considerable annoyance from it. As it was it only gave us a : grand volcanic spectacle that will never be forgotten.’