Prescott journal. [volume] (Prescott, Wis.) 1861-1871, 1867-09-07
another Lake Ontario Wonder Descent
Of n NeIeor-A Grand and Startling
Spectacle.

Spectacle.
From the Hamilton (ontariol Times, Aug. 2sdl
Captain Turner, of the schooner AL
gerine, who arrived III the city this
morning, reports having witnessed. at
about the hour Of IL O'Clock on We'd
nesday night, terrific and splendid
phenomenon in tine descent of an i'm
mense meteor into Lake Ontario. which
struck the water not more than three
hundred yards from his vessel The
Captain states that, few moments
previous to the appearance, he had
come up from his cabin on deck, and
was standing on the main hatch. The
vessel was on the starbOard tack, sail
ing along finely with light southwest
breeze for Fort DalhOusie, and about
twelve miles Of the Niagara Lighthouse
bearing S. s. w. Presently his atten-
tion was attracted by sudden. illnmi-
nation from the northwest, which al
most Instantly increased to dazzling
brillianey. On turning, he beheld a
large body of fire in the heavens.
which seemed to be approaching at a
descent of abopt 30 degrees, and grow
ing rapidly larger as itcame nearer. the
observation of time being so brief as not
to admit of computation in seconds.
The momentary impression of Capt.
Turner, was that certain and complete
destruction awaited his vessel and all
on board. as the terrific missile seemed
to be directed 10 strike the vessel
broadside The time for reflection,
however, was brief, aud the light emit
ted was so binding in its effect that
the man at the wheel and another of
thecPew ON deck fell PROSTATE, and re-
NAMED for some time completely stu
pefied with terror Tue captain him
self, as he states, remained transfixed,
and say the fiery body enter the water
some 500 yards ahead of his vessel,
about two points to the windward. A
loud explosion attended the contact
with the water, which was sharp and
deafening. equal TO thunderbolt close
at hand, and large volume of steam
and spray assembled into the air, which
was noticed for some moments after
ward. In the confusion of the moment
Captain Turner was unable to
comprehend what had occurred,
and the crew were inclined 60 believe
that the phenomenon was an explosion
of lightning, the sky being perfectly
clondless at the time. The Captain es-
Inmates, as well as he was enabled to
Judge from the brief time for observa-
zion afforded, that the meteor was a
body of alont twenty feet in diameter
A long trail of flame OF the most intense
! brillianey was noticed rs it struck the
water, As Capt gnrReradescribes his
sensation, his faculties for the moment
We're, all compressed IN. the sense of
sight, SO overwhelming was the light
from the fiery object, but he believes
he was Sensible to q terrific whizzing,
moving Loise, similar to that maze by
tho steam issuing from tie escape pipe
of steamer, which attended the me-
teor previous 10 the grand explosion ON
striking the water. Capt. Turner ar
rived at Port DalhOusie ON Wednesday
morning. he assures as that his ner-
vous system did not recover from the
shock experienced for many hours after
wards. ~ adaUfl ..a
-HamiIton,' Ohio. with population
of only fourteen thousand, makes more
malt than any other place in the Union,
and has three hundred and twenty-five
drinking saloons.