From hurricanes to unrest and eruptions of Soufrière Hills, politicians in the UK observed and reacted to disasters in Montserrat with cool distance and reservation.
These historical documents chart the suspicion with which the UK government watched events on Montserrat, and shows how aid and financial relief was often provided slowly and begrudingly.
Excerpt from a letter dated June 1899 from Professor John Milne (a renowned seismologist) addressed to Edward Wingfield, who was the responsible administrator at the time. The letter addresses the "Seismic disturbances" related to the volcanic unrest from 1897 to 1900. It reads "Sir, I beg to thank Secretary Chamberlain for his kindness in sending the document[ation] in relation to the seismic disturbances on Montserrat. These I now return. I am not aware that effects due to these shocks reached Europe and am therefore inclined to the opinion that they were small and of local origin." It then goes on to detail ways in which earthquakes may affect the Caribbean and talks about communication cable. Credit: UK National Archives
"If absolutely necessary": Aid money is only grudgingly given after a hurricane devasteted the Lesser Antilles in August 1899. Credit: UK National Archives. Location: N/A. Date: 12/8/1899
Three months after the 1899 hurricane, discussions on the amount and form of relief were still underway. Typically, after a disaster in this era the administration made proposals for aid. These were split into public 'free' grants and loans for private individuals to repair. Comparisons were often made between islands (in this case between St Vincent impacted by a hurricane in 1898) and Montserrat's 1899 devastation, and things became complex when islands were multiply impacted by the same event. Credit: UK National Archives. Date: 17/11/1899
This report of the UK's HMS DRAGON to then Secretary of State scorns volcanologist Frank Perret for causing "unnecessary expense to the crown" and keeping "the island in a state of anxiety" during the seismic unrest 1933-1937. Credit: UK National Archives. Date: 27/9/1935
Amidst the height of the volcanic activity in 1997, then Secretary of International Development Clare Short voices her frustration with the Montserratian government as they demand more money to mitigate the crisis. Article in the Guardian on 24 August 1997. Credit: The Guardian. Date: 24/08/1997
Clare Short was forced to apologise for her use of language soon after. Credit: The Guardian
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