St. Pierre on Martinique lies at the foot of the Mt. Pelee volcano. This is in the area where the European settlers killed the last of the Carib tribes in 1658. Legend has it that the last Caribs to die cursed the area by asking the volcano to revenge their demise. Instead, the town became known as the Paris of the Caribbean as the years went by thanks to the wealth generated in producing and shipping rum, sugar, coffee and cocoa. This picture shows the entry to the large town theatre. St. Pierre prospered until 1902 when the volcano erupted, killing 29,993 of the 29,995 residents. It is now home to about 5,000 people who have re-built among the ruins. It is now predominantly a tourist area.
Ruins of the interior of the theatre. Ferdinand de Lesseps reportedly stopped here to see a play on his way to Panama while working on his early failed French attempt to build the canal. We read about him when we were in Panama!
One of the two survivors of the 1902 eruption was the murderer Cyparis who was imprisoned in this stone jail cell. Although he suffered burns from the blast, he was able to survive by drinking water that leaked into his cell until he was discovered and sent for medical treatment. Upon recovery, he was released and became an exhibit in the Barnum and Bailey Circus. The other survivor was a cobbler who was in his cellar. I do not know what became of him.
Ruins on the waterfront - described on the plaque below. Hope you can read it!
St. Pierre on Martinique lies at the foot of the Mt. Pelee volcano. This is in the area where the European settlers killed the last of the Carib tribes in 1658. Legend has it that the last Caribs to die cursed the area by asking the volcano to revenge their demise. Instead, the town became known as the Paris of the Caribbean as the years went by thanks to the wealth generated in producing and shipping rum, sugar, coffee and cocoa. This picture shows the entry to the large town theatre. St. Pierre prospered until 1902 when the volcano erupted, killing 29,993 of the 29,995 residents. It is now home to about 5,000 people who have re-built among the ruins. It is now predominantly a tourist area. 
Ruins of the interior of the theatre. Ferdinand de Lesseps reportedly stopped here to see a play on his way to Panama while working on his early failed French attempt to build the canal. We read about him when we were in Panama!
One of the two survivors of the 1902 eruption was the murderer Cyparis who was imprisoned in this stone jail cell. Although he suffered burns from the blast, he was able to survive by drinking water that leaked into his cell until he was discovered and sent for medical treatment. Upon recovery, he was released and became an exhibit in the Barnum and Bailey Circus. The other survivor was a cobbler who was in his cellar. I do not know what became of him.
Ruins on the waterfront - described on the plaque below. Hope you can read it!
1 comment:
Hello Shan and Ralph,
Your adventure continues to be intriguing and educational all in one. We had Nick's First Communion here yesterday, so Grandma Lois was visiting for the weekend. She will head up to D.C. to in a week for a visit and hopes to link up with Hilleary and maybe Mike for a visit. Bianca will be out of town for a wedding, so maybe she will see her next time. Our newest Drink here is a Pimm's Cup which we had in New Orleans at the Napoleon House in the French Quarter. It is also the Kentucky Derby Mint Julip equivalent of Wimbledon. You probably can get one somewhere in the Caribbean. Take care, and as they say in the Navy - Fair Winds and Following Seas!
Love,
Jack, Sandy, Alex, Liam, and Nick
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