SOUFPJERE, AND ON A VISIT TO xMONTAONE PELEE, IN 1902. 
545 
11.10 A.M. —At this time thei'e was thunder and lightning, showers of lihiek and heavy material could 
now be seen thrown outwards and falling downwards from the column of Avhitish vapour, associated 
with loud noises and more violent outbursts. From the commencement the Old Crater seemed to be the 
scene of activity, but at times it seemed as though some of the discharges proceeded from what is known 
as the New Crater, a little north-eastwards from Chateaubelair. The area of the escape of vapour 
seemed now to be extending in a direction corresponding with Morne Eonde (westward). 
11.15 A.M. —Thunder and lightning still continuing, and associated each time with a more violent 
outburst from crater. 
11.35 A.M. —Discharge still violent, and Old Crater appai’ently the great centre of activity, enormous 
volumes ascending in curling and whirling waves, those beneath forcing those above higher and still 
higher; the colour of the vapour now assuming a darker shade—white changing to light grey, and low, 
rumbling noises audible. 
11.40 A.M. —The edge of the old crater was c|uite distinct, but was belching out over the whole area. 
Flash and peal were continuous. The contour of the whole mountain was unaltered, and vegetation still 
remained fresh and green, with one enormoiis pillar of vapour overhead. 
12.25 P.M. —Small vents seemed to be forming on slojtes near old road facing Eichmond Vale, and jets 
of vapour emitted from them; then a more violent outburst, which seemed to be extending the crater 
westward, with dense black upheavals and rumblings. 
12.35 P.M. —It seemed as if slope to left of old road up Soufriere had formed into fissure, as vapour 
was issuing from small vents, and at 12.40 P.M. these fissures were unmistakable, and discharges from 
crater were extended to windward. 
12.50 P.M.- —Enormous outbm’st through vent or front of mountain, as far as could be ascertained, the 
mountain being largely enveloped in vapour, &c. 
1 P.M. —There was tremendous roaring, stones being thrown out to windward thousands of feet high. 
1.15 P.M. —Activity seemed shifting to windward and Wallibu Eiver Valley direction, the eruption 
continning unabated in violence. 
At 1.25 P.M. there was still further extension of activity in the direction of Wallibu Eiver and Morne 
Carou to right of old road. 
1.30 P.M.— Violent action to right, with heavy falls of streams of fine matter and black stones. 
1.32 P.M. —Violent to left also, with showers of blackish material. A miiucte afterwards volumes of 
vapour covered the whole area. 
At 1.50 P.M. there was a black outburst to right, and showers of large and small stones shot eastward 
and downwards with tails of fine, black matter following. These stones issuing from interior of enormous 
column of vapour, thousands of feet above the mountain. Some large stones were also seen falling from 
thousands of feet up on face of column to westward, and some were also seen falling from windward side. 
1.55 P.M. —Eumbling. Large black outburst with showers of stones all to windward, and enormously 
increased activity over the whole area. A terrific huge purplish and reddish curtain advancing up 
to and over Eichinond Estate. At this stage left Eichmond Vale House and hurried into and pushed 
off boat a few minutes after 2 p.m. Saw vapour, as we rowed hard across Chateaubelair Bay, coming 
down to sea level past Eichmond Point. Sea peppered all round with stones, one of which, about 
a cubic inch, fell inside the boat, in which were 11 persons. The huge curtain referred to was advancing 
after the racing boat, which never seemed likely to get out of range of it or the falling stones, which 
latter Amried from the size of one’s fist downward. All in the boat felt that their end was near, and 
someone cried out, “ We are all done for—head for shore ”! This was done, and the boat beached between 
Petit Bordel and Rosebank. Got on to public road, Avhere streams of people were hurrying along, all 
anxious to get to some place of safety. The lightning and thunder at this time was terrific, and there 
were noises inland. Everything seemed to point to a general break-up both on land and on sea. 
Fortunately, the writer found a stray horse at Eosebank, Avhich he mounted without a saddle and rode 
VOL, CC.—A. 4 A 
