2015-02

‘Solving’ the World’s
Mysteries
The dictionary describes a
mystery as “something which
is diffi cult or impossible
to understand or explain”.
Advances in technology and
science have meant that now a great
many hitherto unexplained things can no
longer be considered mysterious.
For instance, take the case of the
Marie Celeste. In December 1872, this
“ghost” ship was found sailing in the
Atlantic, mysteriously abandoned. There
have been countless attempts to explain
why. However, one man has spent
years researching. The ship left New
York with barrels of grain alcohol, bound
for Italy. It encountered severe gales
as they approached the Azores. The
captain decided to take shelter close to
an island so that the crew could eat and
rest, after which he gave orders
to set sail again. Then a
seaquake occurred with
terrifying consequences
– the barrels split
open, embers from
the cooking stove
shot into the air and
the crew, fearing
explosions, hastily
launched their small
“lifeboat”. However, in
their fear and panic, they
forgot to tie the line to the
ship. They could only watch as
it sailed away. The crew never caught
up with it and, several months later, fi ve
decomposed bodies were found off the
Spanish shore. Mystery solved? ….. or
just another theory?
The Bermuda Triangle – now that’s
another mystery. Or is it? This area
between Florida, Puerto Rico and
the Bahamas has
seen the unexplained
disappearance of
hundreds of ships and
planes. Now more is
known about marine
geography. Large
deposits of methane gas
in the sea bed can suddenly
erupt causing ships to sink like
stones in a pond, and planes to burn
and disintegrate; electronic “fog” can
suddenly appear, causing instruments
to malfunction; violent storms can
suddenly materialize without warning,
and waterspouts can literally swallow up
ships; the Gulf Stream’s powerful currents
can destroy vessels, leaving no trace of
them. Mystery solved again? ….. or not?
Prof Brian Cox recently stated that
the chance of finding life, as we know it,
elsewhere in space, is infi nitesimally small.
A planet would have to have the same, or
similar, components as ours, its own similar
sized moon as ours, and a whole host of
other conditions. It must be disappointing
for those who believe that they have been
visited, or even abducted, by little green
men with funny voices, but research so
far has proved that aliens only exist in
the imagination. Sadly the same is true
for those who have “seen” the Loch Ness
Monster and the Yeti. We all question
why certain things are as they are, but
just remember the Johnny Cash lyrics,
“There are more questions than answers”.
Doubtless, it will always be that way!
Chris Laude
The Abbey Public House
We would like to welcome old and new
customers back to the new Abbey.
We now offer:
Home cooked food, locally sourced
A range of great real ales
A welcoming & relaxing environment
Come and try our excellent Sunday
Roast with real roast potatoes and
Yorkshire puddings.
With a variety of special events
throughout the year, come and see what
we have to offer!
Call us: (0114) 274 5374
Email: info@theabbeysheffield.co.uk
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The Abbey. 944 Chesterfield Road, Woodseats, S8 0SH
St Chad’s Church, Linden Avenue, Woodseats
Church Offi ce: 9 Linden Avenue, Sheffi eld S8 0GA
Tel: (0114) 274 5086
email: offi ce@stchads.org
St Chad’s Church, Linden Avenue, Woodseats
Page 8 website: www.stchads.org
Church Offi ce: 9 Linden Avenue, Sheffi eld S8 0GA
Page 9
Tel: (0114) 274 5086
email: offi ce@stchads.org
website: www.stchads.org