Touching upon the topic of volcanic eruptions, which had the character of catastrophes, they first of all recall the eruption of Vesuvius, which destroyed Pompeii, Herculaneum and Stratia (2,000 dead). But few people know that during the eruption of the Mont Pele volcano in Martinique in 1902, the city of Saint-Pierre died, and the number of victims was then more than 10 times higher than the death toll in Pompeii - 28,000 people.
Pearl of the Caribbean
Martinique Island is located in the Caribbean Sea. Founded in 1635 on it, the city of Saint-Pierre was the administrative, economic and cultural center of the island. By the beginning of the 20th century, there was a developed port, electric street lighting, horse-drawn trams, a botanical garden and a theater for 800 seats were opened.
Located 8 km. from the city, the volcano Mont Pele was a restless neighbor. In 1747, 1753, 1756, 1766, 1788. - he repeatedly reminded the townspeople of his existence. In 1843, Mont Pele erupted 12 times! People were already accustomed to the "pranks" of the volcano and did not perceive them as a serious danger. But in vain.
Terrible awakening of Mont Pele
In April 1902, Mont Pele came to life again. A roar was heard to the city, tremors became stronger and stronger. At night one could observe the reflections of the flame over the mountain, ash flew in the air. Some curious people, having visited the summit, told that in the depths of the crater the water is just boiling.
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On May 2, Mont Pele threw out a stream of incandescent lava, rushing down the slope. The sugar factory on the way disappeared in a matter of seconds, leaving only a brick pipe. 150 workers were killed. The roar of the explosion reached Guadeloupe, Grenada and Trinidad.
The next morning, the city and the surrounding area were covered with a layer of gray dust like snow. Saint-Pierre was covered with such a thick cloud that no ship could enter its port and land on the shore. Dead birds littered the ground.
May 8 tragedy
On May 8, a bright sun rose over the island, the wind dispersed the clouds. It seemed that everything was over. At 7 am, a solemn prayer service began in the city cathedral on the occasion of "forgiveness from the Most High." And at 7:50 am the volcano spoke again.
Three explosions rang out one after another. Mont Pele threw out a plume of smoke and ash that obscured the sun. A black cloud - a suspension of gases and stones heated to 800 degrees at a speed of 150 km / h fell on the city and literally swept it away.
The ship that broke out of hell
In 9 hours the English steamer "Roddam" entered the harbor of the island of Saint Lucia. Always distinguished by its beauty, and even gloss, the blackened vessel was covered with 20cm. a layer of ash. The mast and rigging were torn off, and the charred corpses of the dead crew were scattered on the deck. Captain Freeman himself stood at the helm. With a burnt face, no skin on his hands, he ruled the steering wheel with his forearms. It was Freeman who first reported the eruption of Mont Pele and the death of Saint Pierre.
Freeman was the only captain who managed to take the ship out of the port of the dying city at the time of the disaster. The remaining 40 ships forever remained at the bottom of the harbor of Saint-Pierre. Freeman subsequently received the Lloyd's Silver Medal, the highest award for sailors in the British merchant marine.
Pompeii XX century
Because of the cloud of poisonous gases that covered the city, only on the third day the arrived rescuers were able to enter Saint-Pierre. The city was destroyed to the ground. Stone structures have been swept flush with the ground.
Only the city cathedral has survived. The hands on his tower clock stopped at 7:50. The overwhelming majority of residents died within a few minutes, being poisoned by gases that covered the city with a thick blanket.
Of the total 28,000 population, only two survived. They were a shoemaker who lived on the very edge of the city and Augusto Ciparis, a criminal in a municipal prison. The thick walls of the punishment cell saved his life. On the third day, the rescuers who arrived in the city dug up to the basements of the local jail and pulled out a burnt, but alive prisoner from a stone bag, who was supposed to be hanged on May 8. The newly appointed governor of the island pardoned the condemned man, deciding not to oppose the will of the Lord, who saved Augusto's life.
Memento mori! (memento Mori)
The eruption on June 9 was no less large-scale, but in the destroyed city there was simply no one left to die. On June 30, the volcano recalled itself for the last time. This time the wind reversed the “direction of impact”, resulting in 1,500 deaths on the other side of the island.
Years passed. Life has returned to the slopes of Mont Pele. But today's Saint-Pierre is just a shadow of its former greatness. As of 2009, 4.453 people lived in the city. The city that died on May 2, 1902 never managed to be revived.