A report on the Stuff website outlined the number of times the island has erupted and historical reports in the newspapers on Papers past. From the 1880s, miners worked on the island mining for sulphur. There were periods where the volcano has been more active, and then 10 September 1914, 10 men were killed when the crater wall collapsed causing a landslide.
"Sulfur mining on White Island recommenced in the late 1920s but proved uneconomic and ceased in the early 1930s. A total of 11,000 tonnes had been obtained. Today the island is a privately owned scenic reserve and tourism venture." Source: https://nzhistory.govt.nz/page/eruption-white-island-kills-10-people
Reports on White Island in the historic Thames Star (TS) & Thames Advertiser (TA) Newspapers:
The Thames papers are online from 1874 editions, and there are 308 'hits' for the term "White Island" - a selection of snippets follow.
1874 April 2 TA: Reports that the ss Southern Cross was taking a tourist excursion to White Island / Whakaari.
1874 May 8 TA: a full description of the two hours that the excursionists spent on the island was published. (part of report right)
1874 July 7 TA: News that the feasibility of using the sulphur commercially on White Island was being explored.
During 1875 - 1876 reports focused on when the island was most active, gauged by the amount of steam that was seen from coastal areas such as Tauranga.
1878 April 28 TA: the first shipment of sulphur was made from White Island, and transported to Melbourne.
1880 September 8 TS: Local man William Plant had used material from White Island to make a sample of plaster of Paris. It was agreed the product was of excellent quality, but the demand for it was not great in New Zealand.
During the 1880s, Mr Wilson the owner of the island received regular orders for the sulphur obtained on the island. While there were continued episodes of increased volcanic activity and eruptions, some of which would force the workers to temporarily leave the island.
1902 September 13 TS: Thamesites read that White Island had been described as "perhaps, the most extraordinary island in the world." In May 1909, the island went through another active cycle.
1914 May 27 TS: The news that a fireman had died from an accident while working on the island. Then on the 21 September the Thames Star reported on the loss of eleven lives on White Island.
This articles was nearly two weeks after the event had taken place. During the intervening days, there had been another tragedy at Taupiri, that involved several Thamesites. Forty-three miners were killed in an explosion at Huntly 12 September 1914.
Today, Monday 9 Decemebr 2019, is another very sad day in New Zealand history - our thoughts and prayers to all those who have been touched by this tragedy.
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Today, Monday 9 Decemebr 2019, is another very sad day in New Zealand history - our thoughts and prayers to all those who have been touched by this tragedy.
