12 May 1902
Page 1
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Newspaper
New York Times
Location
New York, New York, United States of America
Date
May 12, 1902
Page
1
Reports from St Thomas and London detail the Soufrière eruption on St Vincent with hundreds dead and many unburied. Vapors rose eight miles high, ashes traveled 250 miles, and famine threatens while British ships head to deliver relief supplies.
Reports from Kingstown detail a major volcanic eruption at Soufriere with a new crater forming and lava flows. Crater lake waters rose, steam plumes eight miles high, and ash and lava devastated Wallibou and Richmond Valley prompting residents to seek refuge at Chateau Belair. Dead and missing feared as lava and ash spread across districts.
The page lists sections of the newspaper with page numbers for Amusements Arrivals at Hotels and Out-of-Town Buyers Losses by Fire Intelligence and Foreign Mails Real Estate Religious Society Weather Report Yesterday's Fires.
Western Union central cable office received notice that the cable to St Vincent is interrupted while the line to Guadeloupe remains OK. Messages will be sent at first opportunity via Dominica or St Lucia.
May 12 reports from London describe grave concern over the St Vincent eruption and potential spread of devastation to Dominica and St Lucia. Dispatches indicate the area may be larger than first thought, with warnings of further convulsions in Central and South America. King Edward orders rapid relay of disaster news to Buckingham Palace and considers relief funding.
William J. Ince of Des Moines reported his aunt Mrs. H. J. Ince and her son Samuel perished aboard the Roraima. The two had visited New York and were returning to Barbados when the ship wrecked at St Pierre sharing the tragic fate with other passengers.
May 18 marks a greatly improved train service on the Putnam Division of the New York Central between 155th Street and York Heights. Passengers should ask ticket agents for particulars.
News from Paris reports the French cruiser Suchet found St Pierre a smoking ruin with Gov Mouttet and Col Dain presumed dead and American and British consuls and their families among the victims. Volcanic activity and lava flows threaten nearby towns as relief efforts and fundraising move forward.
Dispatch from St Thomas reports Dominica's boiling lake water disappeared with a ten foot diameter vent emitting a thirty foot steam column. District surroundings unchanged though sulphur gases were strong as Dominica, a British Leeward Island, lies near Martinique with volcanic activity and fertile valleys.
Reports from St. Thomas and Fort de France describe Mont Pelée’s violent eruption sending lava flows across Martinique. 5,000 refugees seek safety on northern hills as French ships bring aid and evacuations continue amid ash rain and scorching heat.
Alaska Commercial Company reports from Unalaska in the Aleutians that earthquakes have shaken the area and ash falls cover the ground on several occasions. A record from Unimak notes ash cover with westerly winds, suggesting activity of a Western volcano.
The Gaulois lauds the United States for Congress approving a $100,000 aid grant for Martinique victims and dispatching an American cruiser. It calls the U S example the most brilliant and touching manifestation of humanity and solidarity.
The Brazilian aeronaut Senhor Augusto Severo's airship La Paix exploded in Paris after an ascent at the Vaugirard park. Two aviators aboard were killed, while Severo had planned further trials only in fair weather conditions.
A report from Guatemala via E K Pearse details immense destruction from the April 18 quake. Ocos and Quezaltenamo suffer heavy losses with coffee plantations ruined and many deaths feared. Government relief subscriptions are underway as survivors depend on aid and Indian laborers brought in. Prominent Germans, including Oscar Debans and Enric Hermann, are reported among the dead.
May 11 reports from St Thomas D W I indicate Fort de France Martinique is threatened by ongoing lava flows. The northern region is a rocky waste with little vegetation. Dominion and Trinidad reports note drownings near Dominica and evacuation turmoil as the Kennet sails toward Fort de France amid West Indies tension.
Reports from San José describe a military revolt refus ing to recognize President Esquivel who took office May 8. Rebels install former War Minister Yglesias as president, though he has not joined the movement. A new Costa Rican cabinet was announced under Esquivel.
Fort de France reports indicate lava pours down Mont Pelée engulfing the island’s north side. Fresh crevasses keep opening as new details arrive from St Pierre, ten miles away, describing the evolving volcanic activity.
A London dispatch reports four small boats carrying refugees from Grand Riviere Martinique arriving at Dominica in a pitiable state. Six more boats reportedly left the village at the same time, with their fate unknown.
Paris residents continue daily life amid news of the Martinique catastrophe. Crowds gather at the Ministry of the Colonies for bulletins while flags fly at half mast. The Temps notes multiple events diverting public attention and easing mourning.
In New Orleans on May 11 the French cruiser Tage completed provisioning for about 4000 to 5000 dollars worth of supplies. Admiral Servan announced plans to sail for Martinique at daybreak tomorrow, amid strong public subscriptions including a last minute 500 dollar gift from a passenger arriving by special train.
A Chamber of Commerce meeting will be held at 12 30 PM Wednesday in the board room to plan relief for St Pierre and surrounding Martinique survivors. Morris K Jesup will preside and a committee will solicit subscriptions to aid the sufferers. The specific aid to be provided was not set.
Dixie, converted cruiser now at Brooklyn Navy Yard, to sail for St Pierre to aid Martinique refugees. Rear Admiral Barker ordered coal replenishment and readiness for departure as crews of about 700, largely apprentices and landsmen, may be reduced before sailing. Capt. Berry commands the ship awaiting plans from the Navy Department.
Washington notes little direct intelligence on the St Pierre catastrophe from West Indies consulates. Consul Ayme in Guadeloupe expects to depart for Martinique tonight and relay info to the State Department. Navy ships Cincinnati and Potomac offer no confirmed aid, while Dixie at New York prepares to sail to assist if needed. President Roosevelt wires France’s Loubet expressing condolences.
The Commercial Cable Company announces Martinique to Paramaribo and related routes are working via Madeira Teneriffe and Noronha. A second route through Brest Penzance Lisbon Madeira and Cape Verde offers cheaper per word rates but longer transmission times. Communications from New York to Martinique travel Lisbon Madeira Teneriffe Noronha and the Brazilian coast to Paramaribo before Fort de France.
A fragment notes a potential link between early baldness and Burnett's Connains. The sentence remains unclear but points to a discussion of hair loss onset and a possibly related product or name.
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