Herald of the times. [volume] (Newport, R.I.) 1830-1846, 1834-09-04
WHOLE NO. 231;



urges upon the readers of that papet the
necessity Of taking some measures for
personal safety, during thunder storms.
And the best way to do this, he THINKS.
is by lightning rode. We give the fol-
lowing extract from his COMMUNICATION:
The storm which visited us was unus.
uaily severe and awiully fatal the
lightning descended in lees than one
minute three times in the upper part OF
the town. The first discharge descend;
ed the lightning lod on the eastern END
of the Tonine building without damage,
one person only receiving a slight SHOCK
in the foot, which was undoubtedly what
electricians call the returning or laternal
shock. ] saw also large and bright
spark on the bell wire in my room, AZ
the western end of the block, which also
must have been i !aternaI discharge
The second stroke, and one we never
shall forget, descended upon the house
of Mr. Enoch Morse, destroying be-
loved inmate and prostrating another
! The third discharge was seen by per-
son two rods distance to descend upon the
=, rod at the western end Of the Tontine
building. Nearly every person in the
! house felt slight electrical shock
! From these circumstances we have al
most undeniable proof of the utility OF
! conductors on Our buildings. Here were
three discharges within few rods OF
each other, two Of them descending
(wi.hout injury,) upon one building pro-
!, tected by rod, the other descending up
on an unprotected building, and termi-
mating in a most melancholy manner.-
The building itself was seriously damag-
ed. The lightning, as is generally the
case, entered that side of the chimney
!, where there had been fire; tearing off
and disturbing the bricks for short dis
tance. BY lar the greater portion of the
fluid left the chimney at the roof and
, passed down the western side Of the
building Another portion passed down
by the whole length of the chimney
through the house into the earth-anoth-
er portion down the walls on the eastern
side, and smaller portions were distrbu-
ted throughout the building. There were
: six mirrors broken, ard some Of them
shattered to atoms A piece Of glass
c from one of them was driven across the
= room, buried to the depth of quarter Of
S an inch, and still remains to indicate the
$ force oithe shock. 1t is very curious to
observe how the fluid has left its track
= in quest Of good conductors In three
y places it has left the outer walls, perfo-
: rated the plastering at the top of the
= looking glasses, passed down and broke
Is them, and then passed out again to tho
e walls. The glasses become excellent
J. conductors from their gilt frames and sill
e vered backs. A heavy tusk Of ivory
N was thrown from the nantel-piece seven
is or eight feet distant. A large brass ket-
). tie was also thrown down from shell. -
+ A large hydrangea was struck, and some
G of its curiously scathed leaves and flow-
l. ers were exhibited on Friday at the Ma
l. tural History rooms. Several metallic
utensils were slightly melted, and some
~ of the nails from the shattered roof were
- = discovered by a young lady to be mag
. netzed, and capable of attracting a cam
: brio needle. In two instances the fluid
os has passed through the floor and ceiling
~ beneath, making aper.ures as if bored
by some instrument. 1t is difficult to
decide by which branch Of the fluid the
S, fatal shock was occasioned. The unfor-
he tunate victim was standing between q
IN closed window and mirror, about foot
I'd and half from each. Her sister was
!, near her but towards the centre of the
e. room. The window and mirror was bro
IN ken, and it is probable that the fluid pas
Or sed from the mirror through her body to
D. the shutter, thence through the window.
n, The mother was sitting on bed neat
'e the wall which was 50 badly shattered,
to and escaped unhurt
- From these circumstances, setting A.
he side all previous experience, we may
&c Judge that one is comparatively safe on
IN a feather bed, and that it is dangerous to
,e stand near a window--wall, especially
a. an outer wall, or any metallic substance
The safest place undoubtedly is in the
,d middle OF cellar, which is below the
~ surface of the ground. Next to this
pd one should seek feather bed in a se'
cond or lower story If possible, removed
h, as far as possible from the outer walls,
~ but not touching the inner. Next to
this, it not accessible at the time, place
IL yourself in chair, with your feet upon
the rounds, or sit upon table, IN TIE
ell centre Of the lower and largest room.