The Stourbridge Observer, Cradley Heath, Halesowen & District Chronicle.
Stourbridge, West Midlands, England, 1883-07-07 00:00:00

THUNDERSTORM AND LOSS OF LIFE.

A tremendous thunderstorm visited Norwich on
Saturday afternoon, during which Benjamin Deacon,
who had taken refuge under an elm-tree in the suburbs
of the city, was killed by lightning; his wife, who was
with him, was knocked over and stunned, but was
otherwise unhurt,

A dwelling•honse at South Willingham was struck
by lightning and a man inside killed. Nine sheep
and a cow standing under a tree were killed in the
same storm.

William Gould, the head man to Mr. Keeble, Earls-
ham, was killed by the lightning flash, which set fire
to the farm premises. Gould and two other men were
sitting in the harness-room when the lightning
descended by the weather-vane, killing Gould and
setting the premises in flames.
Telegraphic communication between Norwich and
the surrounding towns was altogether disorganised.

On Monday and Tuesday severe thunderstorms
occurred in many parts of the country. Serious
damages are reported.

At Egham fourteen sheep belonging to Mr. Day
were killed by lightning in a field, under a tree, on
Tuesday morning
At Hungerford the lightning set fire to a rick of
hay, which was consumed. The acijoining ricks were
saved by the exertions of the fire brigade.

A terrific storm of thunder and lightning raged over
a large portion of Wiltshire on Monday night and
early on Tuesday. At the village of Wilton the
electric fluid struck the farm buildings of a Mr.
Edwardes, and in a quarter of an hour a barn and
some sheds were burnt to the ground, and fifteen
weaning calves roasted to death.
Warwickshire was visited by heavy thunderstorms
on Tuesday morning. At Offchurch, near Leamington,
a farmhouse was set on fire, and was nearly destroyed
before the flames were extinguished. The farm build-
ings and several ricks were preserved by the exertions
of the Leamington Fire Brigade.

At Horsforth, near Leeds, early on Tuesday morn-
ing, the goods station of the North Eastern Railway
at that place was set on fire by lightning and burnt
to the ground. The building was a substantial struc-
ture, built of stone and brick, and several waggons,
laden with flour, &e., were destroyed, but no one
injured.

During Monday night's severe storm St. Matthew's
Church, Gosport, was struck by lightning. The stone
coping of the north side of the west gable fell with a
loud crash. A small portion of the d6bris fell on the
roof, the gteater part being carried by the wind die.
tances varying from fiva to twenty-tive yards. The
finial at the apex of the roof was broken, and now lies
in the churchyard. Judging from the condition of the
interior of the church the edifice seems to have been
shaken in every part.

A very severe thunderstorm, accompanied by a per-
fect deluge of rain, visited the South of Scotland on
Sunday night. The farm of Dalcove Mains, in Kelso,
was set on fire and considerable damage done.
The Free Church at Friockham, near Forfar, was
on Tuesday found to have been struck, and consider.
ably damaged by lightning during the night. An
adjacent dwelling.house was also struck, but no person
was injnred. . _ _ _

Extensive damage has been wrought by the floods in
Scotland. Traffic on the main line of the Caledonian
RAilway was interrupted on Tuesday night, and the
London mail delayed by the flooding of a culvert.
On Wedne3day morning part of the line between Dun-
dee and Arbroath was washed into the sea, and com-
munication stopped.