426 



Dr. Tempest Anderson and Dr. J. S. Flett. 



were sent to Georgetown, which is not far from the base of the hill, 

 stating that the Soufriere was in eruption, but they appear to have 

 occasioned little anxiety. And when, about mid-day on Wednesday, 

 the danger was too obvious to be overlooked, the Rabaca Dry River, 

 and some of the streams on the windward side, usually dry except 

 after rains, were running boiling hot, and could not be crossed. Many 

 fugitives in this way found their escape cut off. It was here that the 

 loss of life was greatest, which, though many escaped, is estimated to 

 have amounted to 2000, including about a dozen white men — the 

 overseers of the plantations. The exact number will never be known, 

 as many were entombed in the ashes where they fell. 



About mid-day on Tuesday the first signs of the eruption were 

 observed by those dwelling on the south-western side of the mountain. 

 At 2.40 that afternoon there was a considerable explosion, and a large 

 cloud of steam ascended into the air. By 5 o'clock a red glare was 

 visible in the steam cloud on the summit. Activity continued during 

 the evening, and at midnight there was a great outburst, and red 

 flames were noticed on the lip of the crater. Next morning from 

 Chateaubelair a splendid view could be obtained of gigantic mushroom- 

 shaped clouds rising to a great height in the air — estimated at 

 30,000 feet — and drifting away before the north-east trade wind. 

 As the day advanced the eruption increased in violence; by 10.30 A.M. 

 enormous clouds of vapour were being emitted with loud noises, 

 accompanied by much lightning. It is remarkable that at that time 

 the inhabitants of the windward side were still in doubt about the 

 reality of the eruption, since they mistook the dark cloud covering the 

 mountain for a thunder cloud. The mountain was now in a state of 

 continuous activity, and from Chateaubelair it could be seen that the 

 materials were mostly discharged from the old or principal crater. 

 Yast clouds of steam, showers of dark matter (probably mud), and of 

 stones, could be seen projected from it, partly on the leeward, but 

 mostly on the windward side. At mid-day the slopes of the mountain 

 were still green, and the rich mantle of tropical vegetation had not 

 yet been destroyed. A thin layer of fine ash had fallen over the lower 

 ground, only sufficient to give the leaves a greyish colour. The 

 enormous columns of vapour continued to ascend from the crater, 

 with frequent violent outbursts, projecting showers of stones and 

 mud. 



About this time it was noticed that steam was rising from some of 

 the valleys on the south side of the hill, and this increased till at 

 12.50 the whole mountain was suddenly enveloped in a dense cloud of 

 vapour. Just before this the Rivers Wallibu and Rabaca had been 

 seen rushing down in raging floods of boiling water. It is most probable 

 that these phenomena were due to the escape of the crater lake 

 which was driven over the lower or south lip of the crater between 



