The Saturday Strangeness

By NeilA Last edited 189 months ago
The Saturday Strangeness
Stigmata

58. Doomsday!

For centuries mankind has been superstitious about certain happenings and signs, perceiving such anomalous symbols and events as omens of doom, or forewarnings of death and destruction. Of course we'll never truly know if such fears are justified, but what we do know is that the end of the world has always been nigh...

In our modern climate the dread of terrorist attacks is common, an inner fear that lurks, for although we must continue our daily routines, we feel the shadows cast by such a threat. On the 15th November 1895 at 12pm, little was uttered pertaining to such unseen attacks, but what the London Morning Post of the 16th called "an alarming explosion" rocked the capital in an area near Fenchurch Street. However this was no ordinary explosion, because despite the violent blast, which caused hundreds of people to swarm the streets in the nearby vicinity, there was in fact no evidence to suggest any impact. Terrified locals swore that buildings shook, debris flew, and foundations creaked and yet there were no destructive signs, it semed as though the explosion was a phantom one!

It was rumoured that a handful of people, caught up in the panic, had seen 'something' fall from the sky, but the police could find no such object. Authorities suggested at the time that maybe some 'thing' had been placed in the street fog-signals which then exploded as vehicles passed. Eerily, around the same time mysterious craft resembling airships had been observed over London. Were such ships dropping bombs on the capital?

On April 2nd 1904 the suburb of Wimbledon was bathed in an unnatural darkness for more than ten minutes with no explanation forthcoming. There were no signs of storm clouds or even local fire to cause such smothering of the area, but as people screamed in the black streets, the light eventually faded back and the thoughts of Doomsday dissipated.

During 1966 in Walthamstow, many people flocked to a local church after a crucifix began to 'weep'. The strange crying lasted for more than ten weeks, leading many to believe that it was a sign of the Second Coming, whilst others feared that doom was due to rain down upon the capital. Of course, the bizarre theories dried up, along with the alleged tears, and London remains intact.

Photo by spankmeeehard on flickr

Last Updated 21 June 2008