2-982-220 - The Print Collector/Heritage Images

Barren Island, in the Bay of Bengal, 1858. 'This island...north-east of the Andaman Islands...was visited by the Hon. East India Company's steam-frigate Semiramis...and the British ensign was planted on the summit of the volcanic cone...Slight volcanic action is taking place at three points on the summit...The three smaller craters are approachable; the feet, however, sinking below the ankles in soft sulphurous matter around the fissures whence the vapour rises. The crystallised masses of sulphur are very beautiful. Large quantities of sulphur, in almost a pure state, might be collected, which would be of value as an export...The island is well covered with trees and grass, and on the beach a few cocoanut-trees were seen, which had doubtless been planted by the crew of some vessel passing. At the landing-place there is a small streamlet of water, at a temperature above 200 Fahr., which discharges itself into the sea, and causes the curious phenomenon of a huge warm or tepid bath being available in the ocean; and most enjoyable it was found to be, after the ascent and descent of the cone...'. From "Illustrated London News", 1858.