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The New Hampshire Gazette And General Advertiser
Portsmouth, Rockingham County, New Hampshire
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Report from Gaybrook near Mullingar, Ireland, describes a large fireball emerging from Belvedere Lake on July 19, 1787, traveling northeast, striking a tree, returning, and bursting in the lake, throwing fish ashore and displacing a boat; witnessed by several respectable locals including Mr. Lyons and Rev. Mr. Dennis.
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Extract of a letter from Gaybrook, near Mullingar, July 20, 1787.
"Yesterday about twelve o'clock, a ball of fire nearly as large in appearance as a hogshead, ran either from Deart Island, in Belvedere Lake, or from the water close to it, took its course north easterly over the wood of Belvedere, and close to Mr. Dennis's house, proceeded in that direction till it was out of sight, not above forty or fifty feet from the ground; in about seventeen minutes it returned, though with very diminished velocity, and fell into the Lake, just under Mr. Lyons, where it is supposed it burst as its effect upon the Lake for ten minutes after was amazing--fish thrown thirty yards on shore, and Mr. Dennis's boat was thrown out of a deep dock two yards upon dry land. I have since heard, that the ball struck against a tree in Clonmoyle, about two miles from the Lake, which it shivered to pieces, but which however was the cause of its turning. Its whole course was about seven miles. Though an eye witness of the above, I would hardly venture to relate it, if it could not be authenticated by some of the most respectable men in the county --Mr. Lyons, the two Mr. Rochforts, Rev. Mr. Dennis. Mr. R. Swift, Mr. Nugent, Dr. Naughton, were present along with me at this truly wonderful and awful sight."
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Foreign News Details
Primary Location
Belvedere Lake, Near Mullingar
Event Date
July 19, 1787
Key Persons
Outcome
fish thrown thirty yards on shore; mr. dennis's boat thrown two yards onto dry land; tree in clonmoyle shivered to pieces
Event Details
A ball of fire, nearly as large as a hogshead, appeared from Deart Island in Belvedere Lake or nearby water around twelve o'clock, traveled north-easterly over Belvedere wood close to Mr. Dennis's house, about 40-50 feet from the ground, for about seven miles until out of sight; returned in seventeen minutes with diminished velocity, fell into the Lake under Mr. Lyons where it burst, causing amazing effects for ten minutes after.