“The Bridgetown Gazette...”

Date

7-18-1812

Newspaper

Louisiana Gazette

Page and Column

Page 2, Column 4

Newspaper Location

New Orleans, Louisiana

Serial Number

945

Abstract

Long account of the eruption of a volcano on St. Vincent’s on May 4, 1812

Transcript

The Bridgetown Gazette Extradornary of the 9th May, contains the following melancholy account of the Volcano Eruption of Mount Soaffriere, in an Island of St. Vincents. On Monday, the 4th of May, [unreadable] explosion of the volcanic mountain took place, followed by an immense [unreadable] of thick sulphureous smoke, which suddenly burst over the vicinity of the [unreadable], and in the course of a minute discharged vast quantities of [unreadable]. The whole surface became [unreadable] with ashes, which presented all [unreadable] appearance; and the noise which [unreradable] from the bowels of the [unreadable] threw the whole neighbourhood into utmost consternation. But this not all:--the amazing scene remains to be told! The eruption, continuing into increased violence, presented on [unreadable] night and yesterday morning [unreadable] the most awful sights human imagination can form an idea of. The [unreadable] burst forth in a most tremendous [unreadable] throwing up huge spouts of fire & [unreadable] stones; accompanied with the [unreadable] frightful thundering noise-at the [unreadable] time sending down its sides [unreadable] burning matter, and scattering [unreadable] large pieces of rock, which [unreadable] made a dreadful ravage [unreadable] cattle, &c. Some idea may be [unreadable] this awful conflagration, when [unreadable] that showers of volcanic particles [unreadable] pouring for several hours all [unreadable] island, accompanied at intervals [unreadable] shocks of earthquake; [unreadable] from the dreadful aperture [unreadable], where shot off rocks of [unreadable] size, which in their fatal fall [unreadable] the most calamitous injury; [unreadable] been the destructive [unreadable] liquid fire, that its baneful effects [unreadable] the most serious nature. [Unreadable] of the flames, which [unreadable] from the mouth of the crater [unreadable] sublime and awful effect; [unreadable] stones which darted [unreadable] the starts in a rocked. The [unreadable] flashes of lightning which [unreadable] a noise far exceeding the [unreadable], resembled in colour and [unreadable] what is usually seen in a [unreadable]; the curling sheets of smoked [unreadable] sky, yesterday morning until [unreadable] clock, was nearly involved in [unreadable] darkness. So dreadful were these appearances, that our terrors [unreadable] horrors to the scene; the whole [unreadable] was in a state of trepidation, and [unreadable], filled with supplication and [unreadable] precipitately retreated from [unreadable] to places of shelter. "About noon yesterday, [unreadable] from the south east, the [unreadable], and the whole [unreadable] to brighten. The eruption, [unreadable] abated considerably in its [unreadable] we understand, that the [unreadable] plantations are covered [unreadable] with torrents of melted [unreadable]. "We have not been able [unreadable] certain correctly the extent of [unreadable] done, or the number of lives lost, [unreadable] the principal rivers of the Island, [unreadable] particularly within the [unreadable] volcano) are all dried up. The [unreadable] provision grounds; for miles around are completely destroyed, and the [unreadable] on the windward and leeward [unreadable] the island are so covered over [unreadable] and vitrified pieces of stones, [unreadable] is not left a bit of ground, in [unreadable] for the cattle to feed upon. Every [unreadable] should instantly be resorted to [unreadable] the calamities likely to [unreadable] distressing a catastrophe, and [unreadable] the legislature will immediately [unreadable] such measures as ensure the [unreadable] of dry provisions, sufficient for [unreadable] of the inhabitants. "Accounts form the post at [unreadable] just reached town-they report that [unreadable] part of the Island presents [unreadable] objects of desolation. The [unreadable] Block-house there having fallen [unreadable] ground, and the range of the [unreadable] on the windward side split open [unreadable] which issued torrents of lava, [unreadable] in its course every tree and [unreadable] impeded its way; and the [unreadable] hills and vallies, in that quarter, [unreadable] all over, several inches thick, [unreadable] of volcanic matter, resembling [unreadable] that is thrown from a [unreadable]. The noise from the mountain [unreadable] so violently experienced thee [unreadable] give an idea of it, one may [unreadable] mixed sound made up of the [unreadable]a tempest-the murmur of [unreadable]-and the roaring of thunder [unreadable], confused altogether, [unreadable].

Link to Full Text

Share

 
COinS