(meteorobs) OT...Commodore Perry and the 'meteor' (or UFO)

[drobnock]

The observed fireball by Perry and others was, as with a number of
mid-19th century historical events,  a "sign."

Was there any discussion about the commando action of Perry going into
Edo Bay, Tokyo.  Challenging the law of the land.

The appearance of the fireball was taken as a  divine "sign",  both by
Perry's 19th Century crew and the residents of the Bay. Both parties saw
the event as a "good" sign.

See introduction:
http://scholar.lib.vt.edu/theses/available/etd-05132005-131722/unrestricted/MAThesis.pdf

Fireball meteors observed by the common man/women of the 19th Century
were more than just meteorological events. They were viewed with a
superstitious reverence.

George John Drobnock

In the later part of the night of Friday, the day of our casting anchor
upon
the coast of Japan, a most remarkable meteor was seen by Lieutenant Duer
in
command of the watch, who describes it as follows:

During the watch from midnight to 4 A.M. a very remarkable meteor was
seen.
It made its appearance in the south and west and illuminated the whole
atmosphere. The spars, sails and hulls of the ships in company as well
as
our own reflected its glare as distinctly as though a blue light were
burning from each at the same time. From the south and west about 15
degrees
above the horizon it pursued a north-easterly course in a direct line
for a
long distance, when it fell gradually toward the sea and disappeared.
Its
shape was that of a large blue sphere with a red wedge-shaped tail,
which it
could be easily observed was formed of ignited particles, and resembled
the
sparks of a rocket as they appear upon its explosion. (Perry's Personal
Journal<http://www.baxleystamps.com/litho/ry_litho_narrative.shtml#personal_journal>at

page 91)

In Volume 1 of the Government narrative an identical account of this
"interesting meteorological phenomenon" is related at page 236.