Mirage?
We found this on Futility Closet, and we were intrigued by the possibilities. What caused the apparition back in 1894? Did the atmosphere create a natural magnifying glass over the waters of Lake Erie?
The people of Buffalo, N. Y., were treated to a remarkable mirage, between ten and eleven o'clock, on the morning of August 16, 1894. It was the city of Toronto with its harbor and small island to the south of the city. Toronto is fifty-six miles from Buffalo, but the church spires could be counted with the greatest ease. The mirage took in the whole breadth of lake Ontario, Charlotte, the suburbs of Rochester, being recognized as a projection east of Toronto. A side-wheel steamer could be seen traveling in a line from Charlotte to Toronto Bay. Two dark objects were at last found to be the steamers of the New York Central plying between Lewiston and Toronto. A sail-boat was also visible and disappeared suddenly. Slowly the mirage began to fade away, to the disappointment of thousands who crowded the roofs of houses and office buildings. … A close examination of the map showed the mirage did not cause the slightest distortion, the gradual rise of the city from the water being rendered perfectly. It is estimated that at least 20,000 spectators saw the novel spectacle.
– Scientific American, Aug. 25, 1894, quoted in Miscellaneous Notes & Queries
And has anyone witnessed anything like it since?
Image: Modern day image of Toronto
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crisa
Generous plug & numerous hits from BRO to Futility Closet.
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Keith
If it happens again, I hope it is on Sunday so we can watch the Bills play.
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kooksapalooza
HA...not funny
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