Batavia, Java, Aug. 4-5, 1928, Over 1,000 dead In East Indian Eruption

BATAVIA, Java, Aug. 9.—It is estimated
that a thousand persons
were killed and 500 injured by a
violent eruption of Mount Rokatinda
in the island of Paloweh north of
Flores on the nights of Aug. 4 and 5.
The southern half of the island and
six villages were destroyed by volcanic
fires. A subsequent seismic
wave 15 feet high destroyed all
those who had sought refuge in the
sea from the burning lava. The
Government has the situation well
in hand.
According to reports transmitted by a
resident of Timor, nearly the entire
Island of Paloeweh, in the Dutch East
Indies, was destroyed by the eruption
of the Rokatinda volcano on
Aug. 4 and 5
With 1,000 reported lost, the remainder
of the islanders - numbering
5,000 - were stated to be safe with
ample provisions at their command.
It was feared that nine native
boats en route from Celebes Island to
Paloeweh foundered with their
crews, however.
The Duth President of Timor is
proceeding to the scene of the disaster.
Paloeweh Island, also known as
Rusa Rajah Island, lies about five
miles off the north coast of Flores
Island, one of the larger of the Malay
Archipelago Islands. It is about four
miles in diameter and rises to a peak
4,593 feet high, which is covered with
trees to its summit.

Recalls Krakatoa Eruption

WASHINGTON. Aug. 9-The
disaster at the Island of Paloweh
recalls a similar, but probably more
extensive eruption in the East Indian
area 45 years ago, when
terrific volcanic explosions all but
destroyed the Island of Krakatoa, in
the Sunda Straits, between Sumatra
and Java.
That island in 1883 was the scene
of a series of volcanic discharges
from May to August, which were the
most terrific the world records. The
reports of that disaster state that a
cubic mile of rock material was
hurled into the air, with attendant
explosions which were heard 150
miles away. Simultaneously, violent
atmospheric disturbances and sea
waves of tremendous size swept over
the island causing a loss of life estimated
at 30,000. Scientists calculated
that the volcanic dust was carried
by the upper air currents around the
world twice, causing a succession of
widely distributed sunsets of remarkable
brilliancy.
As a result of the disturbances the
whole north part of the island altogether
disappeared.
Aug. 10 edition of The New York Times
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Submitted & Transcribed by Greg Eichelberger. Thanks, Greg!