SENECA GUNS
March 2, 2012
Yesterday while working topside, I heard a really big explosion. Having heard a few in my life, one cannot mistake such sounds. In fact, many of us still twitch a bit even after forty years removed from events that used large explosives. Yesterday was one of those days when a very large, close explosion took place which was definitely not fireworks. I thought it was right next door to the marina but there was no large plume of dust. I mentioned it to the harbormaster. He said in a quick response that it is a local phenomenon called Seneca Guns. Rather than attempting to explain it, he said I should look it up on the internet. It seems that in several areas of the world including the Carolinas loud booming sounds similar to sound barrier booms are common. Seismic events are ruled out as are man-made explosions. Seems no one can really explain them. I can say that the explosion sound was very loud and real. They have been occurring since Revolutionary times, well before aircraft. Might it be the Bermuda Triangle abductors starting their engines?
On another note, I asked the harbormaster when the gators appear. He said around the end of the month. Well, this morning, I saw Mickey the small gator from last summer. Warm weather must have awakened him (them). My guess is that young Mickey might be a bit hungry. Maybe that is why he was eyeballing Scurv. Little does he know that Scurv is a dangerous predator that has no fear so far.

Photo is WK in the slip