544 
DES. T. ANDEESON AND J. S. FLETT OX THE E4iUPTIOXS OF THE 
APPENDIX II. 
Notes taken hy Mr. T. il/. McDonald on the Recent Eruption of the Soufriere. 
(Iveprinted from the 2nd edition of ‘The Sentry’ newsjDaper, Kingstown, St. Vincent, May 16th, 1902.) 
Landed at beach of Eichmond Vale Estate about 6 r.M. on the 6th instant, and up to this time was 
sceptical as to any eruption ha'\'ing taken place, as during oui' approach by sea from Wallilabou nothing 
unusual in aj^pearance had been noticed, and the summit of the Soufriere tvas enveloped in the usual 
white clouds. Within a minute or two of landing, however, someone exclaimed, “ Soufriere bursting 
now,” and on looking saw an enormous vertical column of white vapour being ejected—practically 
noiselessly—and was quite convinced that an eruption had been and was now taking place. People were 
coming in from the direction of the mountain in an agitated condition. 
Went up to Eichmond Vale House, from which place the summit of the Soufrim-e is plainly seen, and 
invited Mr. jMatiies, a German gentleman on a visit to Chateaubelair, to come and stay the night 
and observe. 
The following notes, taken by Mr. Mathes, are inserted here:— 
“ Txicsday, 6th, 2.40 p.m. —First appearance of white steam in consequence of a noise like a gunshot. 
4 P.M. the jreople arrived at Chateaubelair who had fled from Eichmond, and at 4.30 P.M. people from 
Morne Eonde came excitedly into Chateaubelair. At 4.35 p.m. the reflection of fire on steam clouds was 
seen c[uite distinctly. 5.15 p.ar., very thick smoke rising from foot of the SoMriere on the right side Xew 
Crater. 5.20 P.M., reflection of fire in the Old Crater, and now for the first time to be seen—also issue 
of the smoke from the Xew Crater at toj) of the mountain. 5.40 p.m., both smoke and steam clouds 
disappeared, and summit of mountain clear and clean. At 6.05 p.m. there was a new eruption with very 
thick smoke.” 
Mr. McDonald now continues his notes from Eichmond Vale House ;—- 
At about 6.30 p.m. (6th) a greater discharge of vapour took place, with flame along the whole rim 
of the crater, forming a red, sj^arkling line between base of column of vapour and rim of crater, 
accompanied by a loud noise. At intervals of about two hours during the night similar discharges 
to the preceding took place, and at midnight flames were seen from Chateaubelair round the rim of 
the crater. 
Xo further observation was noted at Eichmond Vale House till shortly after 6 a.m. on the 7th, 
when a discharge took place with the usual column of thick vapour, but lieneath this was a much 
shorter column of almost dense black, and of a heavier nature, as it quickly subsided back into the 
crater. This was the first appearance noted of what was probably solid matter being erupted, the white 
vapour being no doubt vapour of water only. At about 7.4 a.m. an enormous high column of white 
vapour was ejected, and it may be here mentioned that these tall columns rose in a very short space 
of time—say, about a minute—to heights of about 30,000 feet and over, by comparison seven or eight 
times the height of the mountain (nearly 4,000 feet). Outbursts took jflace now at shorter intervals, and 
at about 10.30 A.M. the eruption became continuous, enormous volumes of vapour reaching to a very 
great height. 
