[meteorite-list] Meteorite Caused the Daytona Beach Rogue Wave in 1992?

From: Galactic Stone and Ironworks <meteoritemike_at_meteoritecentral.com>
Date: Tue, 15 Mar 2011 12:33:10 -0400
Message-ID: <AANLkTik7GP7y=fW1oG=iKjE7FMEtX=4znhjyTLR2bOF3_at_mail.gmail.com>

Hi List,

All of this talk about the tsunami in Japan reminded me of an event
that happened here in Florida in 1992, that may have a meteorite
connection.

On July 3rd, 1992, a 20-foot rogue wave appeared out of nowhere (calm
weather) and washed ashore on Daytona Beach, damaging many vehicles
parked along the beach and causing scores of minor injuries -
thankfully there were no fatalities. This event was big news down
here at the time, but has since faded into obscurity.

I did some digging on the event, to satisfy my own curiosity and I
came across an account that includes a possible meteorite fall.

Here is a quote from an eyewitness who was a boater that was offshore
at the time -

"...the boater came forward with the information that, shortly before
the time of the wave, he was in his boat about eight miles offshore.
He watched as a distant object approached across the sky toward the
ocean at a high rate of speed, and crossed the bow of his boat at an
angle with a "whoosh" (his word). Shortly after, a giant swell made
his 41-foot sailboat handle like a large surfboard. Various news
sources state that the meteorite, as it is now being called, was
anywhere from a meter to 10 feet across. The boater who wished to
remain anonymous, gave the professors enough information so that they
are hoping that the Navy will retrieve the object, which is presumed
to be lying in about 70 feet of water off the Daytona Beach coastline,
with plenty of coordinates for locating it."

(source : http://www.science-frontiers.com/sf084/sf084g12.htm )

Does anyone remember this "meteorite" event? And, did anyone look for
the object? I know 70-feet of water is not exactly prime
meteorite-hunting territory, but one has to wonder what happened, in
light of the eyewitness account.

Best regards,

MikeG

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Mike Gilmer - Galactic Stone & Ironworks Meteorites
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Received on Tue 15 Mar 2011 12:33:10 PM PDT