The American line steamer Westernland, from Philadelphia, which arrived at Queenstown, brings intelligence of a strange phenomenon experienced by the British ship ship Mohican in the Atlantic, while on a voyage to Philadelphia. A cloud of phosphoric appearance enveloped the vessel, magnetising everything on board. Captain Urquhart says the vessel and crew had a fiery coating. When the sailors saw it they rushed at the needle, and it was moving like an electric fan. He ordered several of the crew to move some iron chains lying on deck. The sailors could not remove them, although they did not weigh more than 75lb. each. Everything was magnetised, and chains, bolts, spikes, and bars adhered to the decks as if they had been riveted. The cloud was so dense that it was impossible for the vessel to proceed. He could not see beyond the decks, and everything appeared a mass of glowing fire. Suddenly the cloud lifted. The phosphorescence on the ship began to fade, and in a few minutes the cloud passed away, and could be seen moving over the sea.
The Geelong Advertiser, Geelong, Victoria, Australia, October 1, 1904
Strange Magnetism
The Mohican is quoted as an example of the mysteries of the Bermuda Triangle. Science may have a different opinion.