Numberless Black Discs.

[Terry W. Colvin]

SUBJ: Numberless Black Discs

Somehow, the following observation was omitted from our catalogs on
anomalous atmospheric phenomena -- perhaps because it was hard to
classify! What do you think: UFOs or windblown debris?

November 4, 1867. Chatham, England.

On the afternoon of Monday the 4th, between the hours of three and
four, I witnessed a very extraordinary sight in the heavens. I have
not heard of any one hereabout having seen it. The facts are as
follow: -- At the time above mentioned I was passing by the Mill
by the Water-works Reservoir. On the gallery I noticed the miller
uttering exclamations of surprise, and looking earnestly towards
the west. On inquiring what took his attention so much, he said,
"Look, sir, I never saw such a sight in my life!" On turning in
the direction towards which he was looking, the west, I also was
astounded -- numberless black discs in groups and scattered were
passing rapidly through the air. He said his attention was directed
to them by his little girl, who called to him in the Mill, saying,
"Look, father, here are a lot of balloons coming!" They continued
for more than twenty minutes, the time I stayed. In passing in
front of the sun they appeared like large cannon shot. Several
groups passed over my head, disappearing suddenly, and leaving
puffs of greyish brown vapour very much like smoke.

The Editor of the journal added that several others had observed
the black discs and concurred with Beveridge's description.

(Beveridge, James E.; "An Extraordinary Phenomenon," Symons's
Monthly Meteorological Magazine, 2:130, 1867.)

From Science Frontiers #128, MAR-APR 2000. (C) 1997 William R. Corliss
BT