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Whirlwind at Exeter, 1850. Creator: Unknown
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Whirlwind at Exeter, 1850. Creator: Unknown
Whirlwind at Exeter, [in Devon], 1850. Depiction of...an extraordinary phenomenon, witnessed by...Mr. Webber, landlord of the Port Royal Inn...Mr. Webber states that...his attention was arrested by a loud rushing sound...he saw large stones, dust, &c. taken up as in a whirlwind...This revolving column gradually drew towards a small punt afloat in the adjacent river, and moored to a post by the bank; the boat was then lifted as high in the air as the painter [mooring rope] would allow, and was held there by the force of the wind, spinning round like a top...The column then seemed to have expended its strength, and fell, so to speak, in water, with the noise of a ton weight, dashing and stirring up the bed of the river with foam...What renders this occurrence the more remarkable is, that at the time scarcely a breath of wind was stirring, and the sky was nearly cloudless'. From "Illustrated London News", 1850
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Media ID 36199536
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EDITORS COMMENTS
Whirlwind at Exeter, Devon, 1850: An Extraordinary Phenomenon This image, entitled "Whirlwind at Exeter," depicts an extraordinary phenomenon that transpired in Devon, England, in the year 1850. The event was witnessed by none other than Mr. Webber, the landlord of the Port Royal Inn, who recounted his experience in a report published in the Illustrated London News. According to Mr. Webber's account, his attention was arrested by a loud rushing sound that seemed to emanate from the nearby river. He observed large stones, dust, and debris being taken up in a whirlwind, which gradually drew towards a small punt moored in the adjacent waterway. The boat was then lifted as high into the air as the painter would allow, spinning round like a top before falling back into the water with a thunderous crash. What makes this occurrence all the more remarkable is that, at the time, scarcely a breath of wind was stirring, and the sky was nearly cloudless. The image, which is an engraving from the Illustrated London News, captures the sense of awe and wonder that must have gripped the local community as they witnessed this natural phenomenon unfold. The scene is set along the estuary, with houses and buildings in the background, and a boat and other water transportation methods evident in the foreground. The image transports us back to the 19th century, a time of innovation and discovery, when the natural world continued to hold many mysteries and surprises. This hauntingly beautiful image, with its stark contrasts and intriguing story, serves as a reminder of the power and unpredictability of nature, and the importance of documenting and sharing such extraordinary occurrences.
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