Herald of the times. [volume] (Newport, R.I.) 1830-1846, 1834-06-12
From the Boston Travele
Effects OF EIghtElfng.

We publish the following description Of the ap-
pcarance Of Mr.. Benefits house in Brighton, af-
ter its late severe shock by Lightning 1t is from
the pen Of one Of the most competent electricians
in the city, who has stated facts precisely as they
came under his observation
BY request, ] accompanied several
gentlemen at different times, to examine
the late destructive effects Of Lightning,
on the dwelling house Of MIR. Bennett,
in Brighton. For above thirty years, l
have neglected no opportunity of maxi
ing such examinations when offered,
more especially of such buildings as had
conductors; but in no instance, have l
seen such destruction, from a similar
cause before; and as / have not seen
any description of it in print, will en-
deavor to describe its situation, the morn
ing after the catastrophe. Its appear
ance was truly terrific. The chimney
above the roof was most Of it broken off,
and the bricks scattered over the roof
and on the ground; every window had
more or less of the glass broken; many
of the sashes were thrown from their
frames into the rooms, entries, and
around the house, and most Of the doors
unhinged and thrown in every direction;
the latlis and plastering torn off, the joists
and posts ofthe building, generally shat
tered and shivered, with many pieces
thrown off in every direction, and in ma
ny instances, had the appearance of be-
ing scraped with scraper, such as is
used for scraping masts. The floors Of
most of the rooms, were covered with
plaster, laths, window glass and broken
sashes, chips and splinters from the joists
and posts. This is but faint descrip-
tion of what might be seen within the
building. The garret floor was also
covered with shivers and splin.ers from
the rafters; shingles and bricks from the
roof and chimney. On the outside, and
FOR fifty feet around, shingles, clapboards,
window sashes, broken glass, doors and
splinters, were scattered in every direc-
ton, and a free passage out was made
from three sides Of the building, both
from the chambers and the lower floor,
by the boards and clapboards, and in
some instances the joists, being split and
thrown from the building. The chin
ney was split and shattered more than
half its length downwards. There were
four marks of the passage Of the Light
ming in the cellar, on the foundation,
corresponding with the appearances a.
bove the floor. This description of the
effect Of this discharge of Lightning,
will be known. by the many who have
examined it, not to be in the least exag.
gerated. And when we consider thai
| the whole of this destruction must have
been instantaneous, and accompanied
with noise the most tremendous, and
but one person walked, out six person.
that were asleep in the different cham
bers, it is most astonishing; and l may
say, that it was very fortunate for them
that they were thus situated; for, hac
this discharge of Lightning taken place
during the day time, and those persons
been traversing the rooms, it would b,
nine chances in ten OF their being al
killed. Indeed, as it was a most extra
ordinary escape; and if any Of the in
: mates had been awake, and sensible o
the effect, the house would have beer
. represented by them, as completely fiji
led with Lightning. l attribute the pre-
servation of the family, more TO thei
horizontal position, than to the defenc'
afforded by the feather beds. From ma
ny appearances Of the effect Of the Light
ming about the building, on various sub
: stances that it passed through and owe