[meteorite-list] 1895 Newspaper Article, Boat hit by meteorite
From: MARK BOSTICK <thebigcollector_at_meteoritecentral.com>
Date: Thu Apr 22 09:52:24 2004 Message-ID: <F30h7MxFaYxMTdoINbW00034251_at_hotmail.com> Paper: Manitoba Morning Free Press City: Winnipeg, MB Date: May 8th, 1895 Page: 3 HIT BY A METEOR The report that the steamship Nexsmore, at this port from London, had been struch by a meteor, briefly noted in the papers the day following her, arrival, has attracted wide attention from those interested in ocean phenomena. Capt. Richardson gave a very careful description of the icident, with the atmospheric conditions prevailing at the time. March, 29 the steamship was off the southern end of the Newfoundland banks. The day opened perfectly, and at noon a good observation was had. At 12:30 o'clock the weather chunged; a dense and black fog suddenly set in, completely enveloping the steamer. At this moment, without any warning whatever, a terrific explosion was heard, coming from the direction of the foremost top pole head. A vivid flash of a whitish color accompanied the explosion, and small particles of what appeared to be a white-ash matter were seen to fall to the deck. Of course all hands were greatly startled, and Capt. Richardson, who was on the bridge, stopped the steamship. Explaining his astonishment, he said that he at first thought that some man-of-war had fired a shell at him. Recovering his composure, and finding the vessel all right, she was started ahead again. An examination of the fore pole showed a splinter of wood projecting from it at right angles, and a sailor was sent aloft to investigate. He found the pole split across and downward for three feet. The paint was burned off the entire lenght of the pole. Directly after the explosion a heavy rain set in. lasting about twenty minutes. Then the rain ceased. the fog lifted and the sun came out brillantly for about thirty minutes, when the fog again surrounded the vessel. The meteor, or whatever it was came from an easternly direction. At the time the wind was light from the south. There was no lightning before or after the explosion. - Boston Herald _________________________________________________________________ Chat with friends online, try MSN Messenger: http://messenger.msn.com Received on Wed 28 Aug 2002 11:11:18 PM PDT |
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