rst
of smoke seemed to be sweeping down upon us. It made me think of the
Roddam's experience. Smoke and dust closed in about us, shutting out the
sunlight, and precipitating a fall of lava on our decks.

"'Go below and drive her,' said the captain, and I didn't lose any time,
I can tell you. We burned coal as though it didn't cost a cent. The
safety valve was jumping every second, even though we were making twelve
knots an hour. For two hours we kept up the pace, and then, running into
clear daylight, let the engines slow down and we all cheered up a bit."

CAPTAIN CANTELL VISITS THE "RODDAM"

Captain Cantell went on board the Roddam, whose frightful condition he
thus describes:

"At St. Lucia, on May 11th, I went on board the British steamship
Roddam, which had escaped from the terrible volcanic eruption at
Martinique two days before. The state of the ship was enough to show
that those on board must have undergone an awful experience.

"The Roddam was covered with a mass of fine bluish gray dust or ashes of
cement-like appearance. In some parts it lay two feet deep on the decks.
This matter had fallen in a red-hot state all over the steamer, setting
fire to everything it struck that was burnable, and, when it fell on
the men on board, burning off limbs and large pieces of flesh. This was
shown by finding portions of human flesh when the decks were cleared of
the debris. The rigging, ropes, tarpaulins, sails, awnings, etc., were
charred or burned, and most of the upper stanchions and spars were swept
overboard or destroyed by fire. Skylights were smashed and cabins were
filled with volcanic dust. The scene of ruin was deplorable.

"The captain, though suffering the greatest agony, succeeded in
navigating his vessel safely to the port of Castries, St. Lucia, with
eighteen dead bodies on the deck and human limbs scattered about. A
sailor stood by constantly wiping the captain's injured eyes.

"I think the performance of the Roddam's captain was most wonderful, and
the more so when I saw his pitiful condition. I do not understand how
he kept up, yet when the steamer arrived at St. Lucia and medical
assistance was procured, this brave man asked the doctors to attend to
the others first and refused to be treated until this was done.

"My interview with the captain brought out this account. I left him in
good spirits and receiving every comfort. The sight of his face would
frighten anyone not prepared to see it."