Reference to a new Volcano in the Friendly Islands.

Transactions and Proceedings of the Royal Society of New Zealand, Volume 18, 1885, Page 421

4. “An Account of the new Volcano in the Friendly Islands,” by Rev. S. W. Baker. (Transactions, p. 41.) Dr. Murray Moore read the following extract from the official log of the schooner Maile, Captain Lane, in reference to the same volcanic outburst:— “Position at noon, Friday, 16th October, 1885: longitude, 175° S.W.; latitude, 20° 15′ S. Observed columns of smoke shooting into the air, bearing W.S.W., about 20 miles away. Kept away, and ran within seven miles of it, when we found it to be an active volcano, and that it had thrown up an island about one mile long and over 100 feet high in the centre, sloping gradually all round, with a crater on the E.N.E. side, from which immense columns of matter were thrown continually to a great height; said matter falling again has evidently formed the island, as the crater is on the weather side, and nothing to windward but a low ledge. At sunset the eruption was almost over, only a small jet now and then appearing. The position of the volcano is—longitude 175° 25′ W.; latitude 20° 20′ S. “[While going before the wind, and when seven miles to windward of the island, some fine gritty dust fell on the deck, which I believe to be pure scoria ash from the volcano.] “Nov. 21st, 1885.—Left Tonga for Auckland. The volcano is still active; a party, just returned from there in the schooner Jiole Tafa, report the island four miles long and 300 feet high. The columns of smoke, etc. shot into the air are visible at Nukualofa anchorage, 47 miles N.N.W., the bearing from thence exactly agreeing with the position formerly given. W. S. Lane.”