![[Victoria Daily Colonist, 08/07/1897]](woodcut.jpg)
- Before the Wright Brothers successfully flew the first heavier than air airplane in 1903, Californian newspapers of late 1896 were flooded with reports strange aircraft
- Pilots were often seen in these craft; witness claim the pilots were flying across country to Washington, DC to file a patent
- Many of these craft were cigar shaped and seen at night
- These craft were often described as having powerful searchlights attached to them
- By spring 1897, these craft were reported along the Altantic coast
- Reports ceased by summer 1897
- Collection of these reports found: http://www.ufobc.org/BC_History/airship.htm