THE ATLANTIC MONTHLY
A MAGAZINE OF LITERATURE ART AND POLITICS
VOL IV JULY 1859 NO XXI
A MAGAZINE OF LITERATURE ART AND POLITICS
VOL IV JULY 1859 NO XXI
In Jamaica the aurora borealis was witnessed for the first time, perhaps, since the discovery of this island by Columbus. So rare is the phenomenon in those latitudes that it was taken for the glare of a fire, and was associated with the recent riots.
Maxwell Hall, 1916
September 3, 1859 Aurora: Inhabitants of Kingston, Jamaica, believed Cuba was being consumed by fire
THE AURORA IN THE TROPICS.—By the way of Havana we have some later intelligence from Jamaica. The Aurora Borealis was witnessed in that Island, it seems for the first time, perhaps, since its discovery by Christopher Colurnbus. So rare is the phenomenon in those latitudes, that it was taken for the glare of a fire and was associated with the recent riots [in Falmouth]. Up to the latest advices it had not entered into the imagination of the most astute to refer it to a celestial cause. It is described as magnificent and beautiful in the extreme.
(report in various US newspapers.)
THE AURORA IN THE TROPICS.—By the way of Havana we have some later intelligence from Jamaica. The Aurora Borealis was witnessed in that Island, it seems for the first time, perhaps, since its discovery by Christopher Colurnbus. So rare is the phenomenon in those latitudes, that it was taken for the glare of a fire and was associated with the recent riots [in Falmouth]. Up to the latest advices it had not entered into the imagination of the most astute to refer it to a celestial cause. It is described as magnificent and beautiful in the extreme.
(report in various US newspapers.)
So far I have not found a description of the aurora in Jamaica, so until I do, this account from Puerto Rico at the same latitude must give an idea of what Jamaicans saw in the early morning hours of September 2, 1859.
E. Loomis published in 1860 the following description of the magnificent aurora of 2 September 1859 seen in Puerto Rico:
Observations at Puerto Rico, West Indies (lat. 18° N), by M. du Colombier.
Having awakened at 2h. 30m. A.M. Sept. 2nd, I was greatly astonished to see my windows, which looked towards the north, brightly illumined by a brilliant purple light. Rising immediately, I perceived that this light proceeded from a magnificent aurora, which according to the testimony of the guard, commenced at 2h. A.M. and was observed till 4h. A.M. The luminous rays, red, purple, and violet, extended even to the zenith. The oldest inhabitants of this place declared that they had never before seen a phenomenon of this kind.
E. Loomis published in 1860 the following description of the magnificent aurora of 2 September 1859 seen in Puerto Rico:
Observations at Puerto Rico, West Indies (lat. 18° N), by M. du Colombier.
Having awakened at 2h. 30m. A.M. Sept. 2nd, I was greatly astonished to see my windows, which looked towards the north, brightly illumined by a brilliant purple light. Rising immediately, I perceived that this light proceeded from a magnificent aurora, which according to the testimony of the guard, commenced at 2h. A.M. and was observed till 4h. A.M. The luminous rays, red, purple, and violet, extended even to the zenith. The oldest inhabitants of this place declared that they had never before seen a phenomenon of this kind.
This map shows where aurorae were sighted in the early hours of Sept. 2, 1859: