HOW AN ISLAND GREW
Of the existing islands, some were thrown up shortly before the
beginning of the Christian era; in particular, one called the Great
Cammeni, which, however, received a considerable accession to its size
by a fresh eruption in A. D. 726. The islet nearest Santorin was raised
in 1573, and was named the Little Cammeni; and in 1707 there was added,
between the other two, a third, which is now called the Black Island.
This made its appearance above water on the 23rd of May, 1707, and was
first mistaken for a wreck; but some sailors, who landed on it, found
it to be a mass of rock; consisting of a very white soft stone, to which
were adhering quantities of fresh oysters. While they were collecting
these, a violent shaking of the ground scared them away.
During several weeks the island gradually increased in volume; but in
July, at a distance of about sixty paces from the new islet, there was
thrown up a chain of black calcined rocks, followed by volumes of thick
black smoke, having a sulphurous smell. A few days thereafter the water
all around the spot became hot, and many dead fishes were thrown up.
Then, with loud subterraneous noises, flames arose, and fresh quantities
of stones and other substances were ejected, until the chain of black
rocks became united to the first islet that had appeared. This eruption
continued for a long time, there being thrown out quantities of ashes
and pumice, which covered the island of Santorin and the surface of the
sea--some being drifted to the coasts of Asia Minor and the Dardanelles.
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