1937

The 1937 Volcanic Eruption Of Rabaul

Eruption at Rabaul in 1937

By May 1937 Rabaul had developed from its early German origins into a pleasant colonial town with shady streets, shops, sports facilities and commerce, which was dominated by the island trading companies of W.R. Carpenter and Burns Philp. It was, however, still strictly racially segregated and visibly European-controlled. The town and Territory were run by Australians for Australians, who were loyally British in their sentiments. Empire Day was celebrated on 24 May when Judge F. Beaumont ‘Monte’ Phillips reminded pupils at the Rabaul Public School of all the good things that the British Empire stood for. The worst of the Great Depression was over, but signs of war had again appeared following the rise of Nazism in Europe and the beginning of Japanese military expansion into east Asia. Brigadier-General W. Ramsay McNicoll was Administrator of the Mandated Territory. He and his wife lived in Government House on Namanula Hill, where Albert Hahl had earlier enjoyed cool breezes, the westerly views of the town below and easterly ones across St Georges Channel. There was still no instrumental monitoring of the volcanoes at Rabaul, and other priorities had superseded any longer term concerns about volcanic hazards. This is perhaps not surprising for Australians, as active volcanoes were unknown in Australia itself, and there had been no further volcanic activity at Rabaul since 1878 — that is, well before the Australian takeover of the former German protectorate. A sharp earthquake shook Rabaul town at about 1.20 pm on Friday 28 May 1937. Rabaul residents later recalled that this marked the beginning of the lead-up to the 1937 volcanic eruptions at Rabaul, although tremors were said to have been felt days previously near Vulcan Island, site of the 1878 eruption.18 Houses shook, trees swayed and crockery danced along the table on board the Montoro, which was discharging cargo at the Rabaul wharf. Damage and landslips were reported from out on the Kokopo Road at Karavia, near Vulcan, where the effects of the earthquake seemed greatest. Felt earthquakes became more numerous after five o’clock on the following morning, Saturday 29 May, and damage became more widespread. There were also reports of elevation and exposure of the sea floor at Vulcan Island, together with constant shaking, including at the slipway occupied by the steamer Durour on the nearby mainland. A group of Europeans went out from Rabaul to investigate. Fish stranded on the exposed coral reef at Vulcan as a result of the uplift of the sea floor, were causing considerable interest, and were being collected by Tolai people from villages on the western shore of Blanche Bay, including many men who had by chance gathered at Tavana for an initiation ceremony of the tubuan male secret society.19 The European party took a boat out to see the rising sea floor but hurried back to shore just in time: Right in our wake a blackish spiral of water was spouting 30 feet up … We had just passed over the spot … Then it started to crackle and explode and thunder, hurling up black stones and things, and was indescribable in its fury … [Minutes later the eruption was] in full force. Mountains of stones were being hurled thousands of feet high with deafening noise and sulphurous blinding smoke — black, black, black. The rapid rise of the Vulcan eruption column started at about 4.10 pm and provided little time for escape, especially from the villages close to the volcano. Pumice, gas and dust were being thrown upwards continuously from the new vent in typical plinian style. A surveyor later reported that the column reached a height of eight kilometres or more, but estimating such heights by eye from the ground nearby is notoriously difficult, and this minimum height could be an underestimate. It is, nevertheless, indicative that this plinian eruption was small compared to, say, those at Vesuvius in AD 79 or Krakatau in 1883.

ANOTHER VOLCANO BURSTS INTO LIFE NEAR DESERTED RABAUL

DESERTED CAPITAL OF

THE MANDATED TERRITORY.

RABAUL, capital and administrative centre of the Mandated Territory of New Guinea. The Mother and North Daughter mountains, which are of volcanic origin are in the background. A crater from which sulphur fumes re emitted is on the extreme right. Women And Children Urged To Leave New Guinea For Australia.

RELIEF SHIP SAILS WITH FOOD FOR STRANDED POPULATION

People are in good heart, and all Races are Behaving Splendidly

CANBERRA, Tuesday.

ANOTHER volcano has burst near deserted Rabaul, and three craters are now active. An appeal to women and children to leave New Guinea for Australia was the climax to a day of examination of the volcano aftermath at Rabaul and living conditions at Kokopo. News of the latest eruption near the hapless New Guinea capital was contained in a radiogram from the Administrator (Brigadier-General McNicoll) to Canberra this evening. The Message stated that the eruption was at the eastern end of New Vulcan Island, and occurred at 12.40 p.m. to-day. The location is not yet clear to officials of the territories branch of the Prime Minister's Department, who are awaiting further advice.

One speculation is that New Vulcan Island is the name given to the large conical hill which has formed at Vulcan Island, in Blanche Bay, since the week-end. No further damage to Rabaul has been reported, but this evening's message stated that the Vulcan Island and Matupi craters were as active as they were yesterday. The relief ship Malaita sailed from Brisbane this evening with supplies for the stranded population at Kokopo. The ship is expected to reach its destination by Sunday. Meanwhile, no food shortage is feared. Nevertheless, a plane is being held in readiness near Rabaul for the transportation of emergency supplies if needed in the meantime. The centre of a scene of desolation, Rabaul will not be habitable for weeks, thick layers of pumice have made the harbor impassable, and buildings in the township are covered with volcanic ash. First official messages from the Administrator of New Guinea (Brigadier General McNicoll), received at Canberra to-day, following his return to Rabaul, painted this drab picture of the evacuated capital, His references to the refugee population at Kokopo, however, are much brighter. “The people are in good heart, and all races are behaving splendidly," his report states. "Whites, Chinese and natives are co-operating cheerfully, and making light of their perilous situation. It is impossible to overpraise the work of the staff and volunteers, and the demeanour of the public, including women and children, Chinese and natives. “Brigadier-General McNichol’s first message took 12 hours to reach Canberra. It was sent by wireless from the Montero, picked up at Cooktown and relayed south.

Widespread Desolation.

"A scene of widespread desolation lay before me," he stated, reporting his arrival at Rabaul after travelling by schooner from Kokopo to Nodup, and by road to the deserted capital. Messages received at Canberra state that 100 residents of the north coast district have now joined the Rabaul population at Kokopo, where fine organisation has enabled rapid settlement. Relief efforts and rehabilitation work are summed up in a radiogram stating: ‘District Officer Waugh, Assistant District Officer McMullen and the Administration staff, assisted most ably by a great many volunteers, have the situation at Kokopo well in hand.''At Rabaul, Judge Phillips, District Officer Ball, Assistant Commissioner for Foreign Affairs, Melrose, and Assistant District Officers M'Carthy and Gregory, with white and native police and many volunteers, are controlling matters and attempting to clear the roads. "Food Supplies Commandeered This afternoon it was reported that the Administrator considered there was sufficient food available to last until the arrival of the Malaita. The transfer of stores from Rabaul to Kokopo was proceeding and all Kokopo supplies had been commandeered. "Brigadier -General McNicoll added that the position was sufficiently settled to allow the steamer Montoro to depart, and the captain had been informed accordingly. The Acting Minister for Territories (Mr. White) telegraphed the Administrator to-day, expressing the Government's admiration of the officials and volunteers mentioned in an earlier message from Rabaul. Judge Phillips and his associates who remained in Rabaul, including the native police, had shown remarkable fortitude during their trying ordeal, he said. Water Polluted: No sanitation. The contents of the Administrator's circular were telegraphed to Canberra to-night. Copies have been circulated throughout the refugee community of Kokopo. Rabaul will be untenable for many weeks, it reads. The water sup- ply has become polluted, and no sanitation arrangements are at present possible...The present bad position will be intensified when rain comes, as the roofs of all the houses are thickly covered with volcanic dust, which will become thick mud immediately it becomes wet. In the circumstances, it is necessary to restrict the number of persons who may visit Rabaul. Only those officials on duty and others with urgent business to attend to will be allowed to proceed from Kokopo and land at Nodup. Written authority must first be obtained. “Arrangements should be made for limited number of messengers to proceed to Rabaul to collect essential requirements on behalf of a number of their friends. The public can assist greatly in this respect by organising among themselves as to who is to be the messenger, and for whom he is to collect

.Clearing The Debris

“Heavy articles other than cases containing essential clothing requirements may not be removed. The roads at present are fit for traffic from Nodup to the Burns Philp garage only. Be warned that the roads are strewn with fallen branches, so that the collection of more than essential requirements is impossible. "We will hasten the work of clearing the debris in every way, but some little time must elapse. “It is extremely desirable that as many women and children as possible proceed to Australia. "The Malaita leaves Brisbane to- day with full supplies of all requirements, and is expected to arrive at Kokopo on Sunday. H.M.A.S. Moresby, with supplies of water and a limited quantity of foodstuffs, is now on its way from Darwin and Port Moresby, and should arrive within a few days. “A complete control system of Rabaul has been organised by the superintendent of police (Mr. W. B. Ball), and every endeavour is being made to protect houses and their contents. Residents'

Storm Calm

."A cursory examination of residences shows that they are affected only by dust covering. 'The contents of the houses are in no way affected, and anxiety in this respect may be allayed. “The official control of the situation is being directed from the headquarters of the Central Administration at Rabaul. Judge Phillips is in charge of Rabaul and district, Mr. W. B. Bull in charge of police and essential services, Mr. R. Melrose in charge of stores at Rabaul, Mr. H. A. Gregory in charge at Nodup Beach, Mr. D. Waugh, assisted by a committee of officials and residents, is in charge of Kokopo and district. On the medical side. Dr. T. C. Back house, of Kokopo and district. On my arrival at Kokopo from Lae, I was greatly relieved to observe the stoic calm with which residents of Rabaul and district were accepting the unfortunate situation that has been forced upon them. State of Emergency. “The reports made to me on my arrival at Rabaul of the wonderful conduct of the whole population during the time of stress on Saturday and Sunday were extremely gratifying and the manner in which the evacuation to Kokopo was carried out speaks volumes, not only for the organisers, but for each individual residents.

‘‘A state of emergency continues to exist, and the Administration has taken over control of all essential services. "I earnestly appeal to each resident to do all in his power to assist officials and others who have been given duties to perform. “It is realised that discipline be- comes irksome, but it must also be realised that a definite form of control is essential. “I look forward with the greatest confidence to the continuance of the wholehearted support that has been so apparent during the past few days. “We hope to proceed with the job of making Rabaul again liveable as speedily as possible."

Non-Stop Dash by Food Ship.

The Administrator's latest communique is interpreted at Canberra as in dictating the official view that there is no need to move the capital to another site. The news that immediate steps are to be taken to make Rabaul liveable is accepted as evidence that the proposal to move the capital will be dropped, at least for the time being. While Ministers are bearing in mind the possibility of sending a cruiser if necessary to render additional relief, orders are not likely to be issued unless the position becomes worse. Loaded with food supplies, camping equipment, medical aids and bedding, the Malaita left Brisbane late this afternoon on its non-stop dash to the assistance of the Rabaul refugees. Working throughout the night, a big gang of men unloaded the Malaita's cargo of 700 tons consigned to northern Queensland ports just before mid-day to-day. Loading of the emergency food supply was commenced immediately. The Malaita can do 12 knots, and it is expected to land the supplies by Sunday. Preparations were made on board the ship for an emergency hospital in case of an outbreak of illness. Two Ships Engulfed. Sir Walter Carpenter, of Sydney, head of the firm of W. R. Carpenter and Co. Ltd., received to-day a radio message which stated that two of the company's ships, the Durour, 820 tons, and Duris, 671 tons, trapped in Rabaul Harbor as the wall of mud rose across the en trance, were buried and sank. The Durour was engulfed where it lay at a slipway. The Duris had completely disappeared. Their value was £20,000.Another motor ship, the Desikoko, owned by the company, was still afloat in the harbor, but was unable to leave. The acting Minister in Charge of Territories (Mr. White) said to-night the Administrator had full authority to have women and children evacuated from the danger zone. Authority would not be necessary from Cabinet.

Accommodation and Supplies.

Mr. White added that if the Administrator decided to evacuate the women and children, the Federal Government would take immediate steps to provide all necessary accommodation and sup plies. So far, he said, residents did not wish to be evacuated. If evacuation were necessary, some refugees could be taken by 'plane to Lae, Wau and other parts of New Guinea. Others would be taken in the Malaita and other ships, either to other parts of New Guinea or to Australia. The Government was doing nothing until further advice had been received from the Administrator. The Governor-General (Lord Gowrie) to-day radioed condolences to Brigadier General McNicoll, expressing the hope that there would be no loss of life. The Japanese Consul-General (Mr. Wakamatsu) has telegraphed: "Please accept my sincere condolences on the disastrous volcano eruptions now occurring at Rabaul. I sympathise deeply with all who have been forced to leave their homes."

RABAUL REFUGEES LACK FOOD

The Argus Tuesday 1 June 1937

Two Days' Rations Only

STEAMER LEAVES TO-DAY

Volcanoes Still Erupting

Rabaul, centre of the volcanic eruptions and earthquakes in New Guinea, was still being deluged yesterday by mud and pumice stone from the volcanoes at Vulcan Island and Matupi. Food is acutely short at Kokopo, 20 miles from Rabaul, to which 4,500 refugees have been evacuated. A message which was received from Rabaul yesterday said that there was food at Kokopo for only two days. Supplies for the refugees are being loaded in the Malaita at Brisbane. The steamer is expected to leave to-day, and to reach the stricken area in five days. In the meantime stores are being unloaded from the Montoro at Rabaul, H.M.A.S. Moresby is hastening to the scene from the Gulf of Carpentaria, and emergency rations may be dropped by aircraft which are engaged on the New Guinea goldfields. Messages which were received in Canberra late last night stated that the wire- less station at Rabaul was again in operation. The crater on Vulcan Island was still erupting actively. The intensity of Matupi appeared to be diminishing. The Administrator of New Guinea (Brigadier-General E. McNicoll), who was visiting the Morobe goldfields when the eruption began, has returned to Rabaul. A message, which was received by "The Argus" last night, stated that he had flown from Lae, accompanied by the Director of Public Works, and had landed near Rabaul at noon. The plane, which belongs to Guinea Airways Ltd., has been placed at the disposal of the Administrator and may be used to drop food to the refugees. An emergency party of 20 remains at Rabaul. Fragmentary messages which were received in Canberra early yesterday stated that the damage in the abandoned town was steadily mounting. Although it was not acute, the situation of the 4,500 refugees who were evacuated from the town to Kokopo at the week-end was causing anxiety. Communication between Rabaul and Kokopo failed on Sunday and had not been restored yesterday. The fixed wireless stations at Rabaul are not operating, and communication is being maintained by ships' wireles