The elder Pliny, admiral of the Roman fleet at Misenum, investigated the eruption firsthand. He set sail with the Roman fleet, sailing into the crisis to aid residents of the area. Among those in danger was a friend, Rectina, who lived at the foot of Vesuvius, and who had sent a messenger to ask Pliny to help her escape the eruption. We know that it was still possible to get out of the area on the 24th because the messenger did so, but Pliny was unable to return to rescue Rectina. He decided to sail down the coast to see if he could aid others in the area.

After an overnight stay, on the 25th, it was reported that: “Elsewhere there was daylight by this time, but they were still in darkness, blacker and denser than any ordinary night, which they relieved by lighting torches and various kinds of lamp.” Pliny the Elder died later that day, not as a direct result of the eruption, but indirectly, as a result of his exertion. The others in his rescue party survived to bring the news of his death to his family.

Pliny the Younger in Misenum