(The Freeborn County Standard [Minnesota])
SHIPS SAILING IN AIR
Remarkable Mirage Seen From The Decks Of A Steamer In Chesapeake Bay
From The Baltimore Herald.
"At the time I discovered it," said Captain Wilson of the steamer Tangier "we were off Watts Island on the Pocomoke Sound. The day was clear and bright. I was standing on the hurricane deck forward with a passenger, and we were commenting on the strange action of a dense line of smoke which rose perpendicularly from the stack of a saw mill in Pocomoke City, which lay to the east of us. My attention was suddenly called to the distinct outlines of a three-masted schooner which appeared above the line where the smoke spread out and disappeared. I could hardly believe my senses, and, calling my attention to the gentleman who was with me to the strange sight, I rushed into the pilot house and got my glasses. Through them I discovered more clearly the outlines of the vessel. There was evidently no breeze, as the sails were lying inboard. Then I scanned the horizon on either side of the smoke with the glasses and discovered four additional schooners, all of them similarly rigged and all wearing a full set of sails which were also inboard. They were more or less distinct as they were nearer or farther from the shore. Three of them pointed north and two south. The vessels were enveloped in what appeared to be a transparent haze, which I at once supposed to be the ocean. Fringing the lower edge of the haze were the outlines, perfectly distinct of the Atlantic coast between Chncoteague and Cobbs Islands. Even the inlets and small capes were discernible. Next appeared the broad waters between the outer bar and the mainland. This was also depicted as a haze, the land dovetailing into it here and there. Skirting the lower edge of the haze was the mainland, with open fields and clumps of trees. The mirage extended down to the meeting line of the land and the eastern horizon. I called all the passengers up from the lower deck and saloon, and all of them gazed at the phenomenon with wonder and admiration. The sight lasted about twenty minutes and gradually disappeared from view."
Captain Wilson stated that a land breeze had prevailed for several days previous to the mirage, and the phenomenon is accounted for on the ground that there was unusual retraction of the lower strata of the atmosphere. This is the first known instance of a mirage being seen in the lower Chesapeake. This phenomenon, however, is not infrequent in the Chesapeake, and Captain Wilson states that he once saw Cove point light from the lower end of Tangier Island, a distance of 38 miles. He calculated the distance of the mirage of a few days ago to be 30 miles.
While legions of Oprah fans have endured endless lines hoping to catch a glimpse of the Queen of Talk before her long-running show ends, police say a Canadian man endured a self-administered beating -- and a night in jail -- for the same privilege.
Chicago police said that Robert Spearing, 44, was taken to Stroger Hospital Tuesday after reporting that two people beat him before stealing his passes to a star-studded farewell show that took place later that evening at the United Center
Spearing originally told police that just after 10 a.m., he was standing in the 200 block of South Wood Street -- about a block from the United Center -- when two men in their 20s, one African-American and one Hispanic, beat and robbed him.
But hours later, police said Spearing changed his story, later admitting he'd never been attacked and merely concocted the story so he didn't disappoint his wife because they'd traveled from Ontario without tickets.
Spearing, police said, cut his own forehead with a rock and scraped his hands on the sidewalk to mimic injuries from a violent street robbery.
Spearing was charged with one count of felony disorderly conduct, police said, for filing a false police report. Cook County Judge Donald Panarese Jr. today ordered Spearing held on $20,000 bond and scheduled a hearing for next week.
Spearing originally told police that just after 10 a.m., he was standing in the 200 block of South Wood Street -- about a block from the United Center -- when two men in their 20s, one African-American and one Hispanic, beat and robbed him.
But hours later, police said Spearing changed his story, later admitting he'd never been attacked and merely concocted the story so he didn't disappoint his wife because they'd traveled from Ontario without tickets.
Spearing, police said, cut his own forehead with a rock and scraped his hands on the sidewalk to mimic injuries from a violent street robbery.
Spearing was charged with one count of felony disorderly conduct, police said, for filing a false police report. Cook County Judge Donald Panarese Jr. today ordered Spearing held on $20,000 bond and scheduled a hearing for next week.
A Spearing relative was at the Cook County Jail this evening posting the $2,000 needed to gain the suspect's release, according to a sheriff's spokesman.
The event, “Surprise Oprah! A Farewell Spectacular” featured numerous celebrity appearances including actors Tom Cruise and Will Smith, and former Chicago Bulls star Michael Jordan.
Source; http://www.whotv.com/chibrknews-stolen-oprah-tickets-story-a-hoax-police-say-20110518,0,4834680.story
