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Messenger bird? At least this source says birds were used by the Romans, but I'm just speculating: https://www.birdful.org/were-birds-used-as-messengers/

Although the sentence says "... except by boat". Why she sent a messenger (presumably by boat) to ask Pliny the Elder to pick her up, instead of using that boat itself, is, curious.

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The boat might not have been big enough to carry her family, attendants, and material wealth. All of which can be more important to people than immediate escape. Pliny writes that the cloud had not reached Stabiae. Its likely she was anxious and wanted to evacuate but was not under noticeable threat and did not understand the severity of her situation.

Edit: https://igppweb.ucsd.edu/~gabi/sio15/lectures/volcanoes/plin...

Heliograph?

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