4th November 1867 mystery

[Weather-history]

Here's a letter sent to the Chatham News of something odd seen in the skies
 

Sir - On the afternoon of Monday the 4th, between the hours of three and four, I witnessed a very extraordinary sight in the heavens. I have not heard of any one hereabout having seen it. The facts are as follows:- At the time above mentioned I was passing the Mill by the Waterworks Reservoir. On the gallery I observed the miller uttering exclamations of surprise, and, looking earnestly towards the west. On inquiring what took his attention so much, he said "Look, sir, I never saw such a sight in my life." On turning in the direction towards which he was looking, the west, I also was astounded - numerous black discs in groups and scattered were passing rapidly through the air. He said his attention was directed to them by his little girl, who called to him in the Mill, saying, "Look father, here are a lot of balloons coming!" In passing in front of the sun they appeared like large cannon shot. Several groups passed over my head, disappeared suddenly, and leaving puffs of greyish brown vapour very much like smoke.

I am, Sir, yours truly, James E. Beveridge, Darland, Chatham, Nov 13th 1867

[JeffC]

some form of firework?

[swebby]

Chatham was the site of Naval dockyards and there were also Munition testing sights along the south shore of the Thames/North coast of Kent ever since the construction of Woolwich Arsenal so maybe firework/weapon development?  Wonder if this is the earliest UFO report in the UK? Jules Verne had written from the earth to the moon a few years earlier.